This AAR is the first I post and probably the only one I'll ever post 
I've read from time to time other AARs and found them enjoying. I then decide to post one.
The game is a Grand Campaign, settings are difficulty : very hard, aggressivity : furious and annexions are 'on' (my usual settings).
I'm playing England and wanted to play a game like not other I already played. I played many GCs, every countries at least once (once is Spain).
The goal is that game is to continue the Hundred Years war between France and England, playing english who have not forgotten their claims to the French throne and want their former territories in France back.
January 1, 1492 : My immediate goals are to keep Calais, conquering Gascogne from France and preventing the french to set a foot on the British Isles.
My army is :
19k men in two armies, one along Scot border, the other in stouthern England.
34 warships 6 transport ships.
I'm allied with Spain and Milan.
I immediately begin to massively recruits soldiers. 19k men will be far from being enough to battle the frenchmen.
My worry is France's allies (Savoy and Papal States) and I am afraid the Scots agree to join their unholy alliance
I made royal mariages with northern german states, to forge an alliance with them later.
In the meanwhile, I gathered 19k more soldiers in the King's army. But I drastically lowered their pay, setting it to the minimum.
In case of an unexpected war (let's say, being attacked by France first), I'll need some months to rebuild their loyalty before sending them to slaughter some frenchies.
The Navy is also struck by such reduction of financial support and sailors' pay is the lowest possible too.
I need every gold coin to build a decent military force before invading France.
Everything is sacrified to the military effort and the country (infrastructure development) will suffer from that, as well as trade.
March 4 1492 - 1 august 1492 : Poland - Teutonic Order War
Poles defeat the Order in 5 months, receiving indemnities and Estonia in peace resolution.
Jan 7 1493 : Tukey declares war to Mameluks
Jan 8, 1493, the following day of Turkish declaration of war : Spain declares war to Turkey. Is it the last crusade ? I don't intend to send even one soldier to the Holy lands or Constantinople as I need to build my army to invade France. But I agree to enter the war to stay allied with Spain.
Milan dishonored the alliance and is kick out.
10 jan 1493 : I praise the Spanish diplomats, Scotland entered our alliance ! I can now remove my northern army from the border.
Those 15k men will be a good reinforcement to the 23k already gathered south of London.
Spanish ships are heading to Black Sea, disregarding a Turkish landing at Malta.
Turks are invading Syria and Lebanon, probably still aiming a quick victory against Mameluks before managing the Spanish attack.
Naples ships and troops don't move. As well as mine.
April 22, 1493 - March 8, 1494 : Hessen - Hannover war. It ended with the Hessen victory but only indemnities were paid by Hannover.
September 4, 1493 : war erupts between Crimea and Astrakhan
November 25 1493 : Denmark cancelled the vassalization of Sweden and attack the Swedish.
Jan 1494 : 18k Turks land in Italy and begin to besiege Naples. Naples army is only 10k strong and wait for reinforcements in Apulia before counterattacking.
Feb 1494 : A small Spanish detachment land in Dobrudja, on the Black Sea coast and defeat an even smaller Turk detachment. Such skirmish will have no effect in the war. Furthermore, the Spaniards can't even efficiently besiege the fortress there, lacking men.
Naples is crumbling, I expect the city to fall soon. The Turks brought there many dreaded cannons to achieve such a result so quickly.
May 1494 : Surprisingly, Turks are stopping to besiege Naples and move out of Italy.
10 june 1494 : Crimea won a province from Astrakhan, ending the war.
June 23, 1494 : The Turkish army who moved from Naples land in Sardinia, defeating the Spanish garrison and begin to besiege the fortress, probably in reprisal to Spanish landing in Dobrudja.
July 1494 : Merchants of the English Kingdom are unhappy of my trade policy which I sacrified to enhance my military capacity. Half of the investments made in trade are lost.
October 1494 : Turkey lost a naval battle against Spain in the Gulf of Almeira. Losses are not high on both sides. Not a decisive battle.
November 1494 : Turkey lands again in Italy with two small detachments. The one in Naples province is not strong enough to besiege the fortress and the one in Apulia is annihilated by Naples forces which then head to Naples to get rid of the Turkish presence on Italian grounds.
December 1494 : 76k Spaniards are waiting on the shores in Catalonia and Valencia provinces but Spain obviously lacks the ships to transport them.
December 17, 1494 : Naples crushes the second Turk detachment in Italy. Malta is close to fall in Muslims hands but Sardinia seems to be able to hold one more year at least.
January 1, 1495 : I have a decision to take. Already 3 years spent to build my army, Spain is fighting Turkey but no major battles occured and no fortresses were captured. However, the Spanish intervention hampered Turks to efficiently attack the Mameluks who recaptured Syria, Aleppo and Lebanon and even entered Turkey.
But France build a decent fleet and has now almost as much ships as me.
48k englishmen are ready to invade France, 13k are training to join the army.
The French fleet is a strong problem. I'm afraid to divide my naval forces as I once intended (landing in Gascogne and Picardie simultaneously). But Spain, thanks to them, is garrisoning Calais with 11k men. If Spain doesn't enter the war at my side, I will have hard times against frenchmen.
My alliance is now : Spain (leader), England, Lorraine, Naples, The Palatinate, Scotland.
French alliance is : France (leader), Savoy, Papal States, Helvetia, Navarre.
Lorraine won't probably join the fight, due to very good relation with France or even, won't probably invade France. Difficult to say for other countries.
But a decision has to be taken now and I decide to invade France in april or may 1495.
January 25, 1495 : Algiers attacks Morocco.
April 3, 1495 : I have a military leader, Norfolk, who previously defended the Scot border, he embarks from Plymouth to France. With him are embarking 20k footmen and 2k horsemen.
39k more soldiers are awaiting in the southern shores of England.
I raised the pay of soldiers and sailors, crippling my revenues but I want them to fight the better.
The same day, I send a messenger to the French King, to claim the French Crown, due to ancestral blood, and wants France as my rightful heirloom.
I realize that France strengthened its army in Bearn (bordering Gascogne), raising the troop there up to 15k men. I have faith in Norfolk. He won't fail.
But I expect losses in the forthcoming battle and move 13k men to Cornwall as future reinforcements to be sent to Norfolk.
More worrying is the 15k Navarre army. They could move into France to stop me. Norfolk will really have hard times in Gascogne until reinforcements come.
Turkey - Mameluks war seems to be locked in a stalemate now. Each country besieging various fortresses. Peace can be signed at any moment as I think Turkey is beginning to have troubles to manage two wars, including one against the mighty Spain.
Spain - Turkey war is reduced to naval skirmishes and the sieges of Malta and Sardinia by Turks.
July 5, 1495 : I declare war to France. Savoy, Navarre and Papal States entered the war at french side. Lorraine, as expected, doesn't enter the war as well as the Palatinate, Scotland (at least they're not against me !) and... Spain !!! I curse the cowardice of the Spanish King. Only Naples enter the war at my side. What an help...
Navarre and Savoy forces will be very useful auxiliaries to french troops. They can both battle my armies in Aquitaine while frenchmen can head to Calais, which, of course, won't be defended by Spaniards due to their cowardice.
I decide to take a loan to raise more troops in England. As I am facing France alone (sorry for Naples but considering their position and the current war against Turkey, I don't expect to see them in France), I am expecting to fight a long, long war.
But my projects were ruined by Spain betrayal. My internal stability dropped and will probably force me to a short war, that I would have like but won't be able to achieve alone.
Damn Spaniards...
July 19, 1495 : Russia attacks Kazan.
In the Baltic area, Sweden and Denmark are still battling. Currently with a slight advantage to Swedish armies but Denmark counterattacks seem to be successful.
Sardinia is cleaned of Turks by a Spanish army. Malta still under siege.
July 23, 1495 : Bordeaux, in Gascogne, is besieged by Norfolk and his army, who just landed in France. My naval force heads back to England to bring reinforcements.
August 4, 1495 : Norfolk crushed the french army of Bearn, which came into Gascogne, slaying 9000 footmen and the English lost 'only' 2000 men. The 6k french survivors flee north to Poitou. But the Navarre army is coming close.
In Languedoc, an impressive army of 52k frenchmen is moving northward. France raise troops north of Paris. Calais is going to be under siege soon.
August 27, 1495 : The Navarre army attacks Norfolk forces with 7k footmen, 4k horsemen and 40 cannons. Norfolk suffers heavy losses from the Navarre cannons in the beginning of the battle and I expect the worst.
I shouldn't have. My general managed very well his army, led his troops to the Navarre lines and won the battle ! His military skills and prowess outmatched the Navarre cannons. But the invading force led by Norfolk lost his cavalry, 1500 horsemen were killed by Navarre as well as 2000 footmen.
The Navarre army follows the french army of Bearn in retreat to Poitou.
My plans have to be changed. I cannot stand against Navarre, Savoy and France. I decide to launch an assault on Bordeaux, capturing the city and then head to San Sebastian, Navarre's capital, to force them to accept a peace. Norfolk army is now 16k footmen and 350 horsemen. San Sebastian is better fortified than Bordeaux but I trust Norfolk's skills.
At the same time, my diplomats managed to create an alliance (which I lead) with Helvetia and the Palatinate. I became the leader of the Alliance sonce Spain betrayal. Naples was still part of the alliance formed previously by Spain. Those 3 countries are not very reliable allies but... better than nothing.
September 15, 1495 : Norfolk captures Bordeaux. His army now heads to Navarre lands.
In Italy, the big army (28k men) Naples created to defend against Turkey invaded the Papal States (french allies), defeating the Pope's army and besieged Ancona, in Romagna province. 7k more men are sent as reinforcements. Papal States only have 11k left in the northernmost part of its territory.
Other wars are still inconclusive. Mameluks begin to see revolts on their territories, Malta still under siege, Denmark and Sweden still in a stalemate.
Moscow is besieged by Kazan forces.
October 6, 1495 : Calais is besieged by frenchmen. Only 10k frenchmen, 10k more coming. They are recruits and could be easily defeated but I don't have any army ready to land at Calais. I expect to see the 52k army coming to storm the fortress in the following months.
October 9, 1495 : Venice declares war to Turkey, bringing Hungary, Sweden, Iraq, Georgia as allies. Turkey's ally, Crimea, joins the war.
Uck... Turkey really has problems now.
October 29, 1495 : Norfolk begins to assault San Sebastian walls. The same day, the remains of french Bearn army come to Bordeaux but is unable to set a efficient siege.
November 13, 1495 : more than 60k soldiers are assaulting Calais. Huge majority of them are french, some are from Savoy.
Reinforcements to Norfolk's army are on their way.
As Calais will fall in french hands, I expect to see the huge french army heading to Gascogne soon. San Sebastian must fall soon too or I will be utterly defeated.
November 26, 1495 : french flag floats over Calais.
November 29, 1495 : Russia is defeated by Kazan and pay huge indenmities.
Bologna, in Emilia province, part of the Papal States, is assaulted by Naples. Ancona was captured.
Mameluks and Turkey, while still at war, are in an absolute stalemate. Noone control or besiege a fortress of the ennemy.
Venice soldiers are battling Turks in Kosovo.
Malta still hold.
Morocco and Algiers are still at war, Morroco is winning.
January 11, 1496 : Hungary accepts peace with Turkey. Return to Statu Quo.
January 23, 1496 : Gascogne is assaulted by 10k frenchmen while Norfolk is going to capture Navarre's capital after months of repetitive assaults.
January 30, 1496 : Norfolk troops enters San Sebastian. Navarre asks for peace, a white peace...
I now have a choice. If I annex Navarre, christian countries will shun me but it will provide a base against french forces in southern France. If I don't, I can ask for indemnities to fuel my war against the french King.
Navarre fate is sealed and I annex the country. Formerly Navarre troops, now under English control immediately battle frenchmen in Poitou. They are the remains of the army Norfolk defeated. Sadly, they are facing the 50k french army coming from Calais. Navarre army is composed by horsemen and cannons. I'd like to save them but I decide to sacrify those troops to delay the french huge army.
February 10, 1496 : English fleet transporting reinforcements is defeated by a small french naval force close to Gascogne coast. My military campaign in Aquitaine is compromised. Reinforcements delayed, Gascogne under assault by frenchmen.
Navarre ships patrolling Atlantic now in my control join the retreating english fleet.
Norfolk is heading to Bordeaux, I hope he will arrive early enough to defeat the french assaulting the city. Then, he will probably have to escape the 50k army in Poitou.
March 10, 1496 : Norfolk defeat the assaulting frenchmen at Bordeaux and immeditely flees to south. But I'm afraid he will be caught in a battle before able to flee the province. Gascogne is going to be captured back by France.
War is going to be harsher. I plan to retreat in Navarre mountainous province and embark Norfolk army. I'll probably harass France from the sea for a time.
I hope french main army will take both losses and attrition while assaulting San Sebastian, now under english control.
Calais is not garrisoned by Frenchs and Savoy troops are heading back to home. So, I consider the 50k army is currently the almost-whole french army.
However, the weak attrition this army suffered while going from southern France to Calais and back to Gascogne let me think the army is led by a very competent leader.
A good challenge to Norfolk's skills.
I still have 37k men awaiting in England to land in France.
The only other worry is the unexpected disappearance of the french main fleet. Where do those ships are ? I look at Ireland but nothing is happening there.
In Italy, Rome is under assault by Naples. The Papal States will disappear soon I bet.
Malta still under siege. Turks will probably never conclude successully the siege.
Bosnia was captured by Venice, Kosovo under siege.
Mameluks disregarded inner revolts and entered again Turkey, capturing a fortress.
April 8, 1496 : War between Sweden and Denmark is over. Finnmark and Jämtland go under Swedish control as peace resolution.
April 10, 1496 : Norfolk managed to escape from Gascogne before the arrival of 2 french armies, including their main battle army. 6 days later, frenchs entered the province. Close.
April 23, 1496 : Naples accepts peace offers from the Pope and takes control of Emilia and Romagna provinces. They just conquered Rome but they didn't annex the Papacy. Probably a wise decision.
Spain tries to wipe out the Turks at Malta, sending a small army there. Spaniards are annihilated by Turks who continue to besiege the fortress.
April 27, 1496 : I lost Bordeaux to frenchmen. 62k frenchs are heading to Navarre now.
A smaller army, 20k men, is heading back to north, probably Paris or Calais.
Norfolk and 28k army (his army plus reinforcements and recruits from Navarre) is fleeing from Navarre, embarking on ships.
June 1, 1496 : French troops stopped at Navarre border. Norfolk army is heading to Calais by sea.
July 7, 1496 : 17k frenchmen begin to move into Navarre territory. The main army stay in Bearn. The french King also send reinforcements in southern France.
August 2, 1496 : San Sebastian is under siege, surrounded by 16k french soldiers. Norfolk is on his way to Calais.
August 10, 1496 : A Savoy army lands at Naples.
August 14, 1496 : a Turk raiding detachment lands in Roussillon, hold by Spain. They quickly and neatly died on the shores.
Venice and Turkey are fighting in Kosovo. Turkey and Mameluks are still at war but nothing happen around Syria. Turks entered Georgia (Venice's ally) but didn't won a decisive battle and Georgia army is pushing them out of their mountains. The bloodbath in Algeria and Morocco continues.
September 9, 1496 : Frenchmen land in Anglia and besiege London ! Damn french fleet I never saw.
I send the 37k men waiting on southern coast to kill the invaders, a 14k army.
My fleet is in the channel on his way to Calais. I'll probably run into the french fleet coming back to his ports.
October 2, 1496 : San Sebastian falls to french control.
October 4, 1496 : As expected, my fleet engages the french fleet near Dover.
October 10, 1496 : Frenchs won the battle in Anglia... My forces are retreating.
October 20, 1496 : I also lost the naval battle in the channel, against all odds ! 38 warships and some transports against a bunch of galleys and few warships !
I should try to recruit among french sailors to find a decent admiral...
November 26, 1496 : Norfolk, being now in England instead of France because of my incompetent admiral, led the battle in Anglia against frenchs besieging London.
As usual, his military skills are impressive and frenchs suffered a hard defeat, loosing 10k men while Norfolk army only lost 2k. The remnants of the french assault force are fleeing England on ships.
1497 !
Time to evaluate the situation.
I was kicked from the continent, loosing Calais and Navarre to France. A quick check showed me France is now allied with Scotland, Savoy, Papal States and Lorraine.
I won't be able to manage another war against France if I have to defend my country against Scotland too. It have to win THIS war ! Furthermore, since my annexion of Navarre, I consider England being alone in every future war even if I have a alliance treaty with Naples, Helvetia and The Palatinate, I don't expect them to honor it.
Norfolk is still in command and I have 53947 footmen and 1022 horsemen in England, 35 warships and 7 transport ships. My inner stability rose up to +2 (it went from +3 to 0 when I attacked France without Casus Belli).
I have a loan to repay but I don't care.
One year and half this war is going and I am on the loosing side.
I plan to take another loan and recruit again massively. I want to raise the english army size to roughly 75-80k men to invade France. Helped by Norfolk's skills, I can win.
I sighed heavily at the thought that how things would have been simplier and easier if Spain did enter the war... I obviously overestimated the hatred between France and Spain.
But there is no time to whine. I have a war to win !
I realized that the situation was quite close than the one one year and half before. My main army is in England, I didn't achieved a decisive battle against France nor France did really achieved one too. Just to darken a bit the situation, I lost control of Calais.
Navarre was conquered as a side consequence of the war.
I still have the same problem. I need to conquer Paris and Gascogne. Now I decide to invade northern France and attack Paris.
But I can't win if I don't crush France main army first.
Until now, I tried to stick to my original plan : conquering Gascogne and quickly moving to Paris and force peace. That can't work longer.
Calais, Paris and northern France will be my primary targets. Then I'll head to Gascogne.
I am warned that J. Cabot is at London port, with 3 warships, ready to discover new lands.
What ? He's a what ? Explorer ?
Discovering new lands ?
This guy is a also skillfull admiral I am told and will probably bring us sea maps to rich lands.
Skillfull admiral eh ?
Ok I need him.
J. Cabot was ordered to join the english main fleet and lead them against that damn french admiral.
New lands ... ? Later...
The coming of Cabot brings new hopes : defeating the french fleet.
So, during the time new troops are trained in England, I'll hunt the french fleet.
January 18, 1497 : my fleet engages the battle with 6 french warships and 7 galleys while on its way to London to join Cabot. A french warship and 5 galley are sunk. I lost one warship. Damn ! I had 35 warships against frenchmen ! The french admiral must have made a pact with the devil to survive the engagement !
March 12, 1497 : France, which proposed me insulting peace offers (Calais, Navarre and indemnities) begins to lower their claimings to Calais and indemnities. *evil grin*
Do they feel the defeat coming ?
As an answer I order to 33k men to embark the fleet and head to Calais.
Norfolk and 45k more men are waiting at Dover to embark. They are the second wave.
French main army (now 74k men) is in Languedoc.
Turkey and Crimea are going to take Georgia capital, after conquering the other half of the mountainous country. Muslims are going to rule Georgia.
Mameluks have launched an offensive in Turkey, not yet successull.
Venice is going to be on the loosing side in their war with Turkey.
Savoy troops are besieging Emilia fortress as they defeated twice Naples troops in battle.
Malta still under siege. Spain is embarking small armies.
April 1, 1497 : Algiers accept peace with Morocco, paying indemnities and transfering the Atlas province to Morocco.
May 2, 1497 : I receive an unexpected raise of internal revenues ! I immediately raise 11k more men in Kent to fuel the war.
France is asking for peace more and more often but keeps asking Calais and indemnities.
May 10, 1497 : My first army lands in Picardie and engages french troops recently recruited there.
Norfolk army begins to embark.
May 16, 1497 : The small french fleet I defeated 4 months ago attacks my fleet in Dover strait. Will Cabot sink the entire fleet ? I can imagine to be defeated.
Furthermore, it will mean that Norfolk and the second half of the english army to be stuck in England...
May 17, 1497 : French troops in Picardie are defeated. I send the english army to Calais. Paris is Norfolk's job.
June 12, 1497 : The last of the french ships skins into the channel waters. Norfolk will arrive in France soon. Calais is assaulted.
Malta siege is over. Turks disappeared. No evolution anywhere else.
July 16, 1497 : Norfolk arrives at Calais and assault the city walls with the might of the two english combined armies. I decided to land Norfolk at Calais because of the inability of the english leader there to take the city quickly.
11k english recruits are embarking.
The french main army divided and 42k men are crossing the country the faster they can.
July 18, 1497 : Calais is mine again ! Now to Paris !!!
August 3, 1497 : Norfolk and 68k men arrived under the walls of Amiens, in Picardie. I intend to conquer the fortress in the way to Paris but...
August 4, 1497 : the french army coming from Languedoc entered Picardie. 35k french footmen and 5 french horsemen against Norfolk and his 68k footmen. Now a decisive battle is occuring !!!
August 11, 1497 : Frenchmen are defeated in Picardie, loosing 22000 men ! My reinforcement from England landed at Calais and Norfolk is assaulting Amiens !!!
August 17, 1497 : Amiens is conquered. 6 days of assaults only. Paris, next stop ! My morale is boosted up by such recent victories.
September 2, 1497 : 65000 englishmen surround Paris. Norfolk gives the order to assault the town. I lost 8k men due to attrition on the way from Amiens to Paris.
September 22, 1497 : Norfolk enters Paris. Frenchmen previously defeated by my victorious general decided to free Picardie from my rule and are besieging Amiens.
I sent Norfolk and his army back in Picardie to crush them.
September 24, 1497 : What a sweet day. A french ambassador comes and offers me Picardie to stop the war. I refuse. Revenge...
October 7, 1497 : Norfolk, this time, arrived a bit too late. Amiens is french again since 4 days when he engages the french army. English soldiers outnumber frenchs at 3 to 1.
October 11, 1497 : a single french ship sails from Rouen in the channel and is intercepted by my fleet. Guess its fate.
October18, 1497 : the french army in Picardie is slaughtered by Norfolk.
October 25, 1497 : Amiens is english once more.
France is recruiting in Caux province, along the seine river. Norfolk moves to crush them.
3 weeks later, english kill 10k more french in Caux. 1500 frenchmen flee to Paris.
I now have to move to southern France. But Norfolk army will suffer heavy attrition during the journey. I consider a moment the possibility to divide the army in two to minimize the losses, going to Gascogne by 2 different paths. But I'm afraid to meet the remnants of the once powerful french army in Southern France. 30k men are still there. Among them is probably that french general who led the last year offensive.
I plan to raise troops at Calais and in England to garrison northern France and Paris.
December 25, 1497 : sweeter day ! France offers me Caux and Picardie to stop the war. But I want to recover my ancestors lands : Gascogne, Guyenne, Normandy. Gascogne will be mine and Picardie too. Next war against the french King, I will plan to conquer Guyenne and Normandy.
Of course, I refused french offer. Revenge !
1498 !!
Soon, three years of war against France. Louis XII rose to the throne in France. I smiled at the thought that he can't even enter Paris
The war is going to be won !
10k soldiers are training at Calais and Dover to garrison Paris, Norfolk and 42k men are crossing the Seine river to Gascogne. I expect the war to end in 4 or 6 months at best.
Norfolk overruns small french detachment in central France but is warned that 13k frenchmen are going to enter Bourgogne. My english recruits are still not ready nor deployed so I send the english main army in Bourgogne to intercept the frenchs on their way, probably to Paris.
March 1, 1498 : bloody day near Dijon, in Bourgogne. Norfolk fight and slaughtered the 13k frenchs but loose close to 9k soldiers in the battle. Is this army led by that famous french leader ? I will never know. There is so many corpses scattered across the battlefield and Norfolk began to move from Bourgogne to Gascogne immediately.
May 4, 1498 : Norfolk arrived for the third time under the walls of Bordeaux. Assault.
The english main army lost 4k men during the journey due to attrition.
May 17, 1498 : Bordeaux is english again.
The french defeat is complete. There is still two french armies, one in Navarre, the other in Languedoc, on the Mediterranean coast, each composed of 15k.
Time for glory now !
I decide to ask gascogne (my initial goal) and Caux (instead of Picardie). Caux is bordering Normandy and, more interesting, is the only french port opening to Dover Strait. By owning Caux and the port of Rouen, I will deny to french future fleet the right to sail directly from a port to Dover.
May 21, 1498 : peace is signed. Caux and Gascogne become mine and France also pay 180D as war indemnities.
The end.
I hope you enjoyed the reading.
I won the war but the land suffered a lot. Trade and infrastructure investments were severely reduced (trade was also hit by merchants unhappiness). I didn't develop AT ALL the country. Everything went to fuel the war. There were still parts of the country totally unprotected (no fortress). Cabot stayed in Europe to fight the french fleet (that I never really saw. I only fought the smallest part of it. Maybe did they sunk somewhere in Mediterranean against Naples ?) and he didn't engage in exploration. But it's only 1498 and I have time to discover. By the way, I captured the french sea maps and realized their exploration was like mine : Zero.
I have two loans to repay, beginning in 1500. I can manage them but at the cost of future country development. England is going to stay the backwater area of Europe (maybe with France).
What makes me win ? Norfolk military skills and two loans probably.
I also maneuvered to avoid direct clash with french armies at their finest hour. In 1498, I gathered enough troops to challenge the french in an open battle.
Circumstances made most of their armies were still in Southern France, that Savoy disdained to support the french King, being engaged in their own war against Naples. And Navarre also disappeared, annexed by England.
It took 2 years and half to be able to defeat the french indeed. Also consider I built up the english army from 1492 to 1495.
Roughly, it's a 5.5 years war effort to be able to CHALLENGE french land forces might.
I also could have lost the battle against the 42k french in the late months of the war.
The tiny 13k french army encountered later hit Norfolk troops harder than any french army ever since. I bet their leader were there. If France sent him along with the 42k troop...
I think you will find flaws in my policy. But remember winning lands from France was the goal. In fact, goal was to have fun.
But... it's not a so bad move. I gained the upper hand against France which will be among the competitors in North America.
Spain is embroiled in his war against Turkey which impressed me, succeeding to manage so many ennemies (Mameluks, Spain, Georgia, Hungary for a time, Venice, Iraq. I don't consider Sweden among potential annemies of Turkey).
When I stopped the game. Turkey was defending successfully on every borders but gathered a mighty army at Istanbul.
Victory points at May 21, 1498 :
Spain 147 (80 from discoveries)
England 146 (102 from battles and peace resolution)
Portugal 68 (42 from discoveries)
The Hansa 54 (21 from economy, 32 from diplomacy)
Naples 51 (45 from battles and peace resolution)
Hessen 47 (28 from battles and peace resolution)
Venice 45 (31 from diplomacy)
Maybe will I continue...
Pierre, EU Beta test team.
I've read from time to time other AARs and found them enjoying. I then decide to post one.
The game is a Grand Campaign, settings are difficulty : very hard, aggressivity : furious and annexions are 'on' (my usual settings).
I'm playing England and wanted to play a game like not other I already played. I played many GCs, every countries at least once (once is Spain).
The goal is that game is to continue the Hundred Years war between France and England, playing english who have not forgotten their claims to the French throne and want their former territories in France back.
January 1, 1492 : My immediate goals are to keep Calais, conquering Gascogne from France and preventing the french to set a foot on the British Isles.
My army is :
19k men in two armies, one along Scot border, the other in stouthern England.
34 warships 6 transport ships.
I'm allied with Spain and Milan.
I immediately begin to massively recruits soldiers. 19k men will be far from being enough to battle the frenchmen.
My worry is France's allies (Savoy and Papal States) and I am afraid the Scots agree to join their unholy alliance
I made royal mariages with northern german states, to forge an alliance with them later.
In the meanwhile, I gathered 19k more soldiers in the King's army. But I drastically lowered their pay, setting it to the minimum.
In case of an unexpected war (let's say, being attacked by France first), I'll need some months to rebuild their loyalty before sending them to slaughter some frenchies.
The Navy is also struck by such reduction of financial support and sailors' pay is the lowest possible too.
I need every gold coin to build a decent military force before invading France.
Everything is sacrified to the military effort and the country (infrastructure development) will suffer from that, as well as trade.
March 4 1492 - 1 august 1492 : Poland - Teutonic Order War
Poles defeat the Order in 5 months, receiving indemnities and Estonia in peace resolution.
Jan 7 1493 : Tukey declares war to Mameluks
Jan 8, 1493, the following day of Turkish declaration of war : Spain declares war to Turkey. Is it the last crusade ? I don't intend to send even one soldier to the Holy lands or Constantinople as I need to build my army to invade France. But I agree to enter the war to stay allied with Spain.
Milan dishonored the alliance and is kick out.
10 jan 1493 : I praise the Spanish diplomats, Scotland entered our alliance ! I can now remove my northern army from the border.
Those 15k men will be a good reinforcement to the 23k already gathered south of London.
Spanish ships are heading to Black Sea, disregarding a Turkish landing at Malta.
Turks are invading Syria and Lebanon, probably still aiming a quick victory against Mameluks before managing the Spanish attack.
Naples ships and troops don't move. As well as mine.
April 22, 1493 - March 8, 1494 : Hessen - Hannover war. It ended with the Hessen victory but only indemnities were paid by Hannover.
September 4, 1493 : war erupts between Crimea and Astrakhan
November 25 1493 : Denmark cancelled the vassalization of Sweden and attack the Swedish.
Jan 1494 : 18k Turks land in Italy and begin to besiege Naples. Naples army is only 10k strong and wait for reinforcements in Apulia before counterattacking.
Feb 1494 : A small Spanish detachment land in Dobrudja, on the Black Sea coast and defeat an even smaller Turk detachment. Such skirmish will have no effect in the war. Furthermore, the Spaniards can't even efficiently besiege the fortress there, lacking men.
Naples is crumbling, I expect the city to fall soon. The Turks brought there many dreaded cannons to achieve such a result so quickly.
May 1494 : Surprisingly, Turks are stopping to besiege Naples and move out of Italy.
10 june 1494 : Crimea won a province from Astrakhan, ending the war.
June 23, 1494 : The Turkish army who moved from Naples land in Sardinia, defeating the Spanish garrison and begin to besiege the fortress, probably in reprisal to Spanish landing in Dobrudja.
July 1494 : Merchants of the English Kingdom are unhappy of my trade policy which I sacrified to enhance my military capacity. Half of the investments made in trade are lost.
October 1494 : Turkey lost a naval battle against Spain in the Gulf of Almeira. Losses are not high on both sides. Not a decisive battle.
November 1494 : Turkey lands again in Italy with two small detachments. The one in Naples province is not strong enough to besiege the fortress and the one in Apulia is annihilated by Naples forces which then head to Naples to get rid of the Turkish presence on Italian grounds.
December 1494 : 76k Spaniards are waiting on the shores in Catalonia and Valencia provinces but Spain obviously lacks the ships to transport them.
December 17, 1494 : Naples crushes the second Turk detachment in Italy. Malta is close to fall in Muslims hands but Sardinia seems to be able to hold one more year at least.
January 1, 1495 : I have a decision to take. Already 3 years spent to build my army, Spain is fighting Turkey but no major battles occured and no fortresses were captured. However, the Spanish intervention hampered Turks to efficiently attack the Mameluks who recaptured Syria, Aleppo and Lebanon and even entered Turkey.
But France build a decent fleet and has now almost as much ships as me.
48k englishmen are ready to invade France, 13k are training to join the army.
The French fleet is a strong problem. I'm afraid to divide my naval forces as I once intended (landing in Gascogne and Picardie simultaneously). But Spain, thanks to them, is garrisoning Calais with 11k men. If Spain doesn't enter the war at my side, I will have hard times against frenchmen.
My alliance is now : Spain (leader), England, Lorraine, Naples, The Palatinate, Scotland.
French alliance is : France (leader), Savoy, Papal States, Helvetia, Navarre.
Lorraine won't probably join the fight, due to very good relation with France or even, won't probably invade France. Difficult to say for other countries.
But a decision has to be taken now and I decide to invade France in april or may 1495.
January 25, 1495 : Algiers attacks Morocco.
April 3, 1495 : I have a military leader, Norfolk, who previously defended the Scot border, he embarks from Plymouth to France. With him are embarking 20k footmen and 2k horsemen.
39k more soldiers are awaiting in the southern shores of England.
I raised the pay of soldiers and sailors, crippling my revenues but I want them to fight the better.
The same day, I send a messenger to the French King, to claim the French Crown, due to ancestral blood, and wants France as my rightful heirloom.
I realize that France strengthened its army in Bearn (bordering Gascogne), raising the troop there up to 15k men. I have faith in Norfolk. He won't fail.
But I expect losses in the forthcoming battle and move 13k men to Cornwall as future reinforcements to be sent to Norfolk.
More worrying is the 15k Navarre army. They could move into France to stop me. Norfolk will really have hard times in Gascogne until reinforcements come.
Turkey - Mameluks war seems to be locked in a stalemate now. Each country besieging various fortresses. Peace can be signed at any moment as I think Turkey is beginning to have troubles to manage two wars, including one against the mighty Spain.
Spain - Turkey war is reduced to naval skirmishes and the sieges of Malta and Sardinia by Turks.
July 5, 1495 : I declare war to France. Savoy, Navarre and Papal States entered the war at french side. Lorraine, as expected, doesn't enter the war as well as the Palatinate, Scotland (at least they're not against me !) and... Spain !!! I curse the cowardice of the Spanish King. Only Naples enter the war at my side. What an help...
Navarre and Savoy forces will be very useful auxiliaries to french troops. They can both battle my armies in Aquitaine while frenchmen can head to Calais, which, of course, won't be defended by Spaniards due to their cowardice.
I decide to take a loan to raise more troops in England. As I am facing France alone (sorry for Naples but considering their position and the current war against Turkey, I don't expect to see them in France), I am expecting to fight a long, long war.
But my projects were ruined by Spain betrayal. My internal stability dropped and will probably force me to a short war, that I would have like but won't be able to achieve alone.
Damn Spaniards...
July 19, 1495 : Russia attacks Kazan.
In the Baltic area, Sweden and Denmark are still battling. Currently with a slight advantage to Swedish armies but Denmark counterattacks seem to be successful.
Sardinia is cleaned of Turks by a Spanish army. Malta still under siege.
July 23, 1495 : Bordeaux, in Gascogne, is besieged by Norfolk and his army, who just landed in France. My naval force heads back to England to bring reinforcements.
August 4, 1495 : Norfolk crushed the french army of Bearn, which came into Gascogne, slaying 9000 footmen and the English lost 'only' 2000 men. The 6k french survivors flee north to Poitou. But the Navarre army is coming close.
In Languedoc, an impressive army of 52k frenchmen is moving northward. France raise troops north of Paris. Calais is going to be under siege soon.
August 27, 1495 : The Navarre army attacks Norfolk forces with 7k footmen, 4k horsemen and 40 cannons. Norfolk suffers heavy losses from the Navarre cannons in the beginning of the battle and I expect the worst.
I shouldn't have. My general managed very well his army, led his troops to the Navarre lines and won the battle ! His military skills and prowess outmatched the Navarre cannons. But the invading force led by Norfolk lost his cavalry, 1500 horsemen were killed by Navarre as well as 2000 footmen.
The Navarre army follows the french army of Bearn in retreat to Poitou.
My plans have to be changed. I cannot stand against Navarre, Savoy and France. I decide to launch an assault on Bordeaux, capturing the city and then head to San Sebastian, Navarre's capital, to force them to accept a peace. Norfolk army is now 16k footmen and 350 horsemen. San Sebastian is better fortified than Bordeaux but I trust Norfolk's skills.
At the same time, my diplomats managed to create an alliance (which I lead) with Helvetia and the Palatinate. I became the leader of the Alliance sonce Spain betrayal. Naples was still part of the alliance formed previously by Spain. Those 3 countries are not very reliable allies but... better than nothing.
September 15, 1495 : Norfolk captures Bordeaux. His army now heads to Navarre lands.
In Italy, the big army (28k men) Naples created to defend against Turkey invaded the Papal States (french allies), defeating the Pope's army and besieged Ancona, in Romagna province. 7k more men are sent as reinforcements. Papal States only have 11k left in the northernmost part of its territory.
Other wars are still inconclusive. Mameluks begin to see revolts on their territories, Malta still under siege, Denmark and Sweden still in a stalemate.
Moscow is besieged by Kazan forces.
October 6, 1495 : Calais is besieged by frenchmen. Only 10k frenchmen, 10k more coming. They are recruits and could be easily defeated but I don't have any army ready to land at Calais. I expect to see the 52k army coming to storm the fortress in the following months.
October 9, 1495 : Venice declares war to Turkey, bringing Hungary, Sweden, Iraq, Georgia as allies. Turkey's ally, Crimea, joins the war.
Uck... Turkey really has problems now.
October 29, 1495 : Norfolk begins to assault San Sebastian walls. The same day, the remains of french Bearn army come to Bordeaux but is unable to set a efficient siege.
November 13, 1495 : more than 60k soldiers are assaulting Calais. Huge majority of them are french, some are from Savoy.
Reinforcements to Norfolk's army are on their way.
As Calais will fall in french hands, I expect to see the huge french army heading to Gascogne soon. San Sebastian must fall soon too or I will be utterly defeated.
November 26, 1495 : french flag floats over Calais.
November 29, 1495 : Russia is defeated by Kazan and pay huge indenmities.
Bologna, in Emilia province, part of the Papal States, is assaulted by Naples. Ancona was captured.
Mameluks and Turkey, while still at war, are in an absolute stalemate. Noone control or besiege a fortress of the ennemy.
Venice soldiers are battling Turks in Kosovo.
Malta still hold.
Morocco and Algiers are still at war, Morroco is winning.
January 11, 1496 : Hungary accepts peace with Turkey. Return to Statu Quo.
January 23, 1496 : Gascogne is assaulted by 10k frenchmen while Norfolk is going to capture Navarre's capital after months of repetitive assaults.
January 30, 1496 : Norfolk troops enters San Sebastian. Navarre asks for peace, a white peace...
I now have a choice. If I annex Navarre, christian countries will shun me but it will provide a base against french forces in southern France. If I don't, I can ask for indemnities to fuel my war against the french King.
Navarre fate is sealed and I annex the country. Formerly Navarre troops, now under English control immediately battle frenchmen in Poitou. They are the remains of the army Norfolk defeated. Sadly, they are facing the 50k french army coming from Calais. Navarre army is composed by horsemen and cannons. I'd like to save them but I decide to sacrify those troops to delay the french huge army.
February 10, 1496 : English fleet transporting reinforcements is defeated by a small french naval force close to Gascogne coast. My military campaign in Aquitaine is compromised. Reinforcements delayed, Gascogne under assault by frenchmen.
Navarre ships patrolling Atlantic now in my control join the retreating english fleet.
Norfolk is heading to Bordeaux, I hope he will arrive early enough to defeat the french assaulting the city. Then, he will probably have to escape the 50k army in Poitou.
March 10, 1496 : Norfolk defeat the assaulting frenchmen at Bordeaux and immeditely flees to south. But I'm afraid he will be caught in a battle before able to flee the province. Gascogne is going to be captured back by France.
War is going to be harsher. I plan to retreat in Navarre mountainous province and embark Norfolk army. I'll probably harass France from the sea for a time.
I hope french main army will take both losses and attrition while assaulting San Sebastian, now under english control.
Calais is not garrisoned by Frenchs and Savoy troops are heading back to home. So, I consider the 50k army is currently the almost-whole french army.
However, the weak attrition this army suffered while going from southern France to Calais and back to Gascogne let me think the army is led by a very competent leader.
A good challenge to Norfolk's skills.
I still have 37k men awaiting in England to land in France.
The only other worry is the unexpected disappearance of the french main fleet. Where do those ships are ? I look at Ireland but nothing is happening there.
In Italy, Rome is under assault by Naples. The Papal States will disappear soon I bet.
Malta still under siege. Turks will probably never conclude successully the siege.
Bosnia was captured by Venice, Kosovo under siege.
Mameluks disregarded inner revolts and entered again Turkey, capturing a fortress.
April 8, 1496 : War between Sweden and Denmark is over. Finnmark and Jämtland go under Swedish control as peace resolution.
April 10, 1496 : Norfolk managed to escape from Gascogne before the arrival of 2 french armies, including their main battle army. 6 days later, frenchs entered the province. Close.
April 23, 1496 : Naples accepts peace offers from the Pope and takes control of Emilia and Romagna provinces. They just conquered Rome but they didn't annex the Papacy. Probably a wise decision.
Spain tries to wipe out the Turks at Malta, sending a small army there. Spaniards are annihilated by Turks who continue to besiege the fortress.
April 27, 1496 : I lost Bordeaux to frenchmen. 62k frenchs are heading to Navarre now.
A smaller army, 20k men, is heading back to north, probably Paris or Calais.
Norfolk and 28k army (his army plus reinforcements and recruits from Navarre) is fleeing from Navarre, embarking on ships.
June 1, 1496 : French troops stopped at Navarre border. Norfolk army is heading to Calais by sea.
July 7, 1496 : 17k frenchmen begin to move into Navarre territory. The main army stay in Bearn. The french King also send reinforcements in southern France.
August 2, 1496 : San Sebastian is under siege, surrounded by 16k french soldiers. Norfolk is on his way to Calais.
August 10, 1496 : A Savoy army lands at Naples.
August 14, 1496 : a Turk raiding detachment lands in Roussillon, hold by Spain. They quickly and neatly died on the shores.
Venice and Turkey are fighting in Kosovo. Turkey and Mameluks are still at war but nothing happen around Syria. Turks entered Georgia (Venice's ally) but didn't won a decisive battle and Georgia army is pushing them out of their mountains. The bloodbath in Algeria and Morocco continues.
September 9, 1496 : Frenchmen land in Anglia and besiege London ! Damn french fleet I never saw.
I send the 37k men waiting on southern coast to kill the invaders, a 14k army.
My fleet is in the channel on his way to Calais. I'll probably run into the french fleet coming back to his ports.
October 2, 1496 : San Sebastian falls to french control.
October 4, 1496 : As expected, my fleet engages the french fleet near Dover.
October 10, 1496 : Frenchs won the battle in Anglia... My forces are retreating.
October 20, 1496 : I also lost the naval battle in the channel, against all odds ! 38 warships and some transports against a bunch of galleys and few warships !
I should try to recruit among french sailors to find a decent admiral...
November 26, 1496 : Norfolk, being now in England instead of France because of my incompetent admiral, led the battle in Anglia against frenchs besieging London.
As usual, his military skills are impressive and frenchs suffered a hard defeat, loosing 10k men while Norfolk army only lost 2k. The remnants of the french assault force are fleeing England on ships.
1497 !
Time to evaluate the situation.
I was kicked from the continent, loosing Calais and Navarre to France. A quick check showed me France is now allied with Scotland, Savoy, Papal States and Lorraine.
I won't be able to manage another war against France if I have to defend my country against Scotland too. It have to win THIS war ! Furthermore, since my annexion of Navarre, I consider England being alone in every future war even if I have a alliance treaty with Naples, Helvetia and The Palatinate, I don't expect them to honor it.
Norfolk is still in command and I have 53947 footmen and 1022 horsemen in England, 35 warships and 7 transport ships. My inner stability rose up to +2 (it went from +3 to 0 when I attacked France without Casus Belli).
I have a loan to repay but I don't care.
One year and half this war is going and I am on the loosing side.
I plan to take another loan and recruit again massively. I want to raise the english army size to roughly 75-80k men to invade France. Helped by Norfolk's skills, I can win.
I sighed heavily at the thought that how things would have been simplier and easier if Spain did enter the war... I obviously overestimated the hatred between France and Spain.
But there is no time to whine. I have a war to win !
I realized that the situation was quite close than the one one year and half before. My main army is in England, I didn't achieved a decisive battle against France nor France did really achieved one too. Just to darken a bit the situation, I lost control of Calais.
Navarre was conquered as a side consequence of the war.
I still have the same problem. I need to conquer Paris and Gascogne. Now I decide to invade northern France and attack Paris.
But I can't win if I don't crush France main army first.
Until now, I tried to stick to my original plan : conquering Gascogne and quickly moving to Paris and force peace. That can't work longer.
Calais, Paris and northern France will be my primary targets. Then I'll head to Gascogne.
I am warned that J. Cabot is at London port, with 3 warships, ready to discover new lands.
What ? He's a what ? Explorer ?
Discovering new lands ?
This guy is a also skillfull admiral I am told and will probably bring us sea maps to rich lands.
Skillfull admiral eh ?
Ok I need him.
J. Cabot was ordered to join the english main fleet and lead them against that damn french admiral.
New lands ... ? Later...
The coming of Cabot brings new hopes : defeating the french fleet.
So, during the time new troops are trained in England, I'll hunt the french fleet.
January 18, 1497 : my fleet engages the battle with 6 french warships and 7 galleys while on its way to London to join Cabot. A french warship and 5 galley are sunk. I lost one warship. Damn ! I had 35 warships against frenchmen ! The french admiral must have made a pact with the devil to survive the engagement !
March 12, 1497 : France, which proposed me insulting peace offers (Calais, Navarre and indemnities) begins to lower their claimings to Calais and indemnities. *evil grin*
Do they feel the defeat coming ?
As an answer I order to 33k men to embark the fleet and head to Calais.
Norfolk and 45k more men are waiting at Dover to embark. They are the second wave.
French main army (now 74k men) is in Languedoc.
Turkey and Crimea are going to take Georgia capital, after conquering the other half of the mountainous country. Muslims are going to rule Georgia.
Mameluks have launched an offensive in Turkey, not yet successull.
Venice is going to be on the loosing side in their war with Turkey.
Savoy troops are besieging Emilia fortress as they defeated twice Naples troops in battle.
Malta still under siege. Spain is embarking small armies.
April 1, 1497 : Algiers accept peace with Morocco, paying indemnities and transfering the Atlas province to Morocco.
May 2, 1497 : I receive an unexpected raise of internal revenues ! I immediately raise 11k more men in Kent to fuel the war.
France is asking for peace more and more often but keeps asking Calais and indemnities.
May 10, 1497 : My first army lands in Picardie and engages french troops recently recruited there.
Norfolk army begins to embark.
May 16, 1497 : The small french fleet I defeated 4 months ago attacks my fleet in Dover strait. Will Cabot sink the entire fleet ? I can imagine to be defeated.
Furthermore, it will mean that Norfolk and the second half of the english army to be stuck in England...
May 17, 1497 : French troops in Picardie are defeated. I send the english army to Calais. Paris is Norfolk's job.
June 12, 1497 : The last of the french ships skins into the channel waters. Norfolk will arrive in France soon. Calais is assaulted.
Malta siege is over. Turks disappeared. No evolution anywhere else.
July 16, 1497 : Norfolk arrives at Calais and assault the city walls with the might of the two english combined armies. I decided to land Norfolk at Calais because of the inability of the english leader there to take the city quickly.
11k english recruits are embarking.
The french main army divided and 42k men are crossing the country the faster they can.
July 18, 1497 : Calais is mine again ! Now to Paris !!!
August 3, 1497 : Norfolk and 68k men arrived under the walls of Amiens, in Picardie. I intend to conquer the fortress in the way to Paris but...
August 4, 1497 : the french army coming from Languedoc entered Picardie. 35k french footmen and 5 french horsemen against Norfolk and his 68k footmen. Now a decisive battle is occuring !!!
August 11, 1497 : Frenchmen are defeated in Picardie, loosing 22000 men ! My reinforcement from England landed at Calais and Norfolk is assaulting Amiens !!!
August 17, 1497 : Amiens is conquered. 6 days of assaults only. Paris, next stop ! My morale is boosted up by such recent victories.
September 2, 1497 : 65000 englishmen surround Paris. Norfolk gives the order to assault the town. I lost 8k men due to attrition on the way from Amiens to Paris.
September 22, 1497 : Norfolk enters Paris. Frenchmen previously defeated by my victorious general decided to free Picardie from my rule and are besieging Amiens.
I sent Norfolk and his army back in Picardie to crush them.
September 24, 1497 : What a sweet day. A french ambassador comes and offers me Picardie to stop the war. I refuse. Revenge...
October 7, 1497 : Norfolk, this time, arrived a bit too late. Amiens is french again since 4 days when he engages the french army. English soldiers outnumber frenchs at 3 to 1.
October 11, 1497 : a single french ship sails from Rouen in the channel and is intercepted by my fleet. Guess its fate.
October18, 1497 : the french army in Picardie is slaughtered by Norfolk.
October 25, 1497 : Amiens is english once more.
France is recruiting in Caux province, along the seine river. Norfolk moves to crush them.
3 weeks later, english kill 10k more french in Caux. 1500 frenchmen flee to Paris.
I now have to move to southern France. But Norfolk army will suffer heavy attrition during the journey. I consider a moment the possibility to divide the army in two to minimize the losses, going to Gascogne by 2 different paths. But I'm afraid to meet the remnants of the once powerful french army in Southern France. 30k men are still there. Among them is probably that french general who led the last year offensive.
I plan to raise troops at Calais and in England to garrison northern France and Paris.
December 25, 1497 : sweeter day ! France offers me Caux and Picardie to stop the war. But I want to recover my ancestors lands : Gascogne, Guyenne, Normandy. Gascogne will be mine and Picardie too. Next war against the french King, I will plan to conquer Guyenne and Normandy.
Of course, I refused french offer. Revenge !
1498 !!
Soon, three years of war against France. Louis XII rose to the throne in France. I smiled at the thought that he can't even enter Paris
The war is going to be won !
10k soldiers are training at Calais and Dover to garrison Paris, Norfolk and 42k men are crossing the Seine river to Gascogne. I expect the war to end in 4 or 6 months at best.
Norfolk overruns small french detachment in central France but is warned that 13k frenchmen are going to enter Bourgogne. My english recruits are still not ready nor deployed so I send the english main army in Bourgogne to intercept the frenchs on their way, probably to Paris.
March 1, 1498 : bloody day near Dijon, in Bourgogne. Norfolk fight and slaughtered the 13k frenchs but loose close to 9k soldiers in the battle. Is this army led by that famous french leader ? I will never know. There is so many corpses scattered across the battlefield and Norfolk began to move from Bourgogne to Gascogne immediately.
May 4, 1498 : Norfolk arrived for the third time under the walls of Bordeaux. Assault.
The english main army lost 4k men during the journey due to attrition.
May 17, 1498 : Bordeaux is english again.
The french defeat is complete. There is still two french armies, one in Navarre, the other in Languedoc, on the Mediterranean coast, each composed of 15k.
Time for glory now !
I decide to ask gascogne (my initial goal) and Caux (instead of Picardie). Caux is bordering Normandy and, more interesting, is the only french port opening to Dover Strait. By owning Caux and the port of Rouen, I will deny to french future fleet the right to sail directly from a port to Dover.
May 21, 1498 : peace is signed. Caux and Gascogne become mine and France also pay 180D as war indemnities.
The end.
I hope you enjoyed the reading.
I won the war but the land suffered a lot. Trade and infrastructure investments were severely reduced (trade was also hit by merchants unhappiness). I didn't develop AT ALL the country. Everything went to fuel the war. There were still parts of the country totally unprotected (no fortress). Cabot stayed in Europe to fight the french fleet (that I never really saw. I only fought the smallest part of it. Maybe did they sunk somewhere in Mediterranean against Naples ?) and he didn't engage in exploration. But it's only 1498 and I have time to discover. By the way, I captured the french sea maps and realized their exploration was like mine : Zero.
I have two loans to repay, beginning in 1500. I can manage them but at the cost of future country development. England is going to stay the backwater area of Europe (maybe with France).
What makes me win ? Norfolk military skills and two loans probably.
I also maneuvered to avoid direct clash with french armies at their finest hour. In 1498, I gathered enough troops to challenge the french in an open battle.
Circumstances made most of their armies were still in Southern France, that Savoy disdained to support the french King, being engaged in their own war against Naples. And Navarre also disappeared, annexed by England.
It took 2 years and half to be able to defeat the french indeed. Also consider I built up the english army from 1492 to 1495.
Roughly, it's a 5.5 years war effort to be able to CHALLENGE french land forces might.
I also could have lost the battle against the 42k french in the late months of the war.
The tiny 13k french army encountered later hit Norfolk troops harder than any french army ever since. I bet their leader were there. If France sent him along with the 42k troop...
I think you will find flaws in my policy. But remember winning lands from France was the goal. In fact, goal was to have fun.
But... it's not a so bad move. I gained the upper hand against France which will be among the competitors in North America.
Spain is embroiled in his war against Turkey which impressed me, succeeding to manage so many ennemies (Mameluks, Spain, Georgia, Hungary for a time, Venice, Iraq. I don't consider Sweden among potential annemies of Turkey).
When I stopped the game. Turkey was defending successfully on every borders but gathered a mighty army at Istanbul.
Victory points at May 21, 1498 :
Spain 147 (80 from discoveries)
England 146 (102 from battles and peace resolution)
Portugal 68 (42 from discoveries)
The Hansa 54 (21 from economy, 32 from diplomacy)
Naples 51 (45 from battles and peace resolution)
Hessen 47 (28 from battles and peace resolution)
Venice 45 (31 from diplomacy)
Maybe will I continue...
Pierre, EU Beta test team.
