- ARCHIVE - Ducal Court of Brandenburg

[Petrarca]

Friedrich von Werngau strode in quickly to the ducal court. No one here... it is safe. Behind him came merchants from Silesia and Bohemia and their servants. Letters of credit, bills of lading, and most importantly, chests of silver bullion were brought into the chambers under the watchful eye of royal soldiers and deposited with officers of the Duke's court. Soon an enormous sum of money was accounted for, and von Werngau laughed nervously. Any thieves were now Brandenburg's problems. "How long shall it be until the Duke returns to Berlin?" he asked a passing courtier before ducking back into a safe corner.

 

[Mettermrck]

A Knight from the Teutonic Order arrives and delivers a sealed letter.

 

[unmerged(945)]

Dijon

Dorothea sniffed the powder and started to sneeze and cough almost immediately. Still she followed Annas example and inhaled some more, she started to giggle. Was it the powder that had this effect or was she imagining things?

"Frederick von Wittelsbach" she thought. "Well, he would probably be a good match hihihihihihihi". "Wasn`t he married? hahaha" Normally she would not have found this the least bit funny, but for some reason she thought it was now.

"I... *giggle* ... no, I don`t think my father has found anyone for me yet. Oh.. there has been some local men that has caught my attention. I remember when I was younger and this stableboy..." Dorothea alternating between giggling and laughing hysterically before she hugged Anna."Father will find some butt-ugly man for me I am sure. But if I am lucky perhaps he is well equipped!!! Tell me, is Frederick well equipped?!".

Dorothea leant back, while laughing hard, breathing through her nose.. making a kind of snorting sound while laughing. Afterwards she needed some seconds to catch her breath. "Oh my.. I think your powder has quite an effect on me *laugh* ... *snort* ... *giggle*, Imagine my father seeing me now, it would be so not bona fide! *giggle* Perhaps... perhaps if you needed... perhaps you could come visit me in Brandenburg sometime?"

 

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The courtier answered von Werngau.

After his meetings in Bremen the Duke shall go to Riga to meet with the Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights. The meetings in Bremen has taken long enough, if he stays as long in Riga he will not be back for some time yet.

The Duke heir should return home any day now though Your Grace. Perhaps you could discuss whatever bussiness you need to settle with him if it is urgent.

I... ah... see that your King has repaid the loan. A considerable amount of money it is.

The courtier looked at the money with greedy eyes while fidgeting unconciously with the rim on his shirt.

 

[unmerged(945)]

A company of tired riders rode into the courtyard of the ducal castle. After the audience with the Pope, Johann Frederick had sent a letter to the captain, ordering the men to be withdrawn from Naples. They had met up in Rome, and even though there had been some delays along the way, was now back in Brandenburg. Sixty men had set out for Naples, fourty five came back. The company and its captain was to continue north after resting up and receiving reinforcements to put it back to full strength. Johann Frederick would not accompany them this time.

And this was a good thing. The young man fealt like he could sleep for a week. All he wanted was to sleep, sleep and forget. His sister was not home, and neither was his parents. Good, then he did not have to answer any questions just yet. He would go talk to Bishop Bodeker in due time, but now he just craved one thing. Sleep.

 

[Mettermrck]

Gemeinschaftshaus, Riga

The assembled German envoys are invited to a meeting in the Council chambers where Leopold is seated along with the remainder of the General Chapter. The invited are:

Duke Johann - Brandenburg
Frantz von Insee - Bremen
Emma of Mark - Cologne
Zdeněk von Wallenstein - Bohemia
Bishop Joseph von Huff - Mainz​

"I thank you all for coming. I wished to organize the most generous outpouring of support the Teutonic Order has received from Germania. As envoys from your respective states, and," Leopold beckoned to Duke Johann, "His Grace himself, I ask that you receive these letters of request for direct aid and review and consider. You envoys may then pass them along to your lieges." Sealed scrolls were presented to each of the envoys.

”Your positive response has been gratefully appreciated by the Teutonic Order and we look to you as a true German friend of our divine cause. The time is fast approaching when our Crusade into the East will go forward, and it is time to convert your sentiments into tangible support. For those of you who have offered funds for our cause, I ask you to please donate these ducats (eco) soon that we may purchase the necessary victuals of war. For those of you who have indicated that your states will commit troops, please reiterate this commitment and that if the Order were to go into battle against one of our schismatic foes in Russia, you would be by our side. With your support, we will not hesitate and will strike a pious blow for the Catholic faith! We have enjoyed our fruitful conversations of recently. Now it is time to move beyond the conversations into the glorious deeds themselves!”

Hochmeister Leopold von Brunn
Teutonic Order

 

[unmerged(18481)]

Dijon, 1449

Anna Gryphon fell silent, she gradually stopped laughing, the varnish of joy slowly came off her while Dorothea von Hohenzollern was prating on. She stopped laughing, her smile faded slightly, and even though she still listened to her cousin’s chatter and her eyes were still fixed on her, her glance had grown faraway.

Anna had calmed down. Her smile had grown distant, calm, soft, timid. She even blushed when a hysterical Dorothea prattled about equipments. “Hey girl,” she was stilling her with some kind disapproval, patting her knees softly, “hey girl, hey girl, calm down, girl.”

Dorothea leant back, while laughing hard, breathing through her nose.. making a kind of snorting sound while laughing. Afterwards she needed some seconds to catch her breath. "Oh my.. I think your powder has quite an effect on me *laugh* ... *snort* ... *giggle*, Imagine my father seeing me now, it would be so not bona fide! *giggle* Perhaps... perhaps if you needed... perhaps you could come visit me in Brandenburg sometime?"

“Of course I will,” Anna muttered the reply in a somewhat tired voice, hugged her cousin tight, and dug her forehead in Dorothea’s shoulder. She felt satisfied for being needed. “Of course I will, Dora…”

She felt a connection forged between them, she felt that it was a Perfect Moment… though she secretly knew that there was no connection at all, that the Perfect Moment was in fact botched and faked. Sorrow filled her heart as she thought of the impassable walls separating them, and so she hugged Dorothea even more tightly, more and more tightly, in the way a little girl holds her doll; her hand was nervously, if not desperately, caressing her back.

“Dora,” she said finally, and raised her head to look deeply in her eyes. “If you’d ever need something, I… I’d heartily help. Really. I… I think you don’t believe it, but I do… I would indeed… I’d love to do good. I’d love to do something good to you.”

 

[BusterBunny]

A letter arrives from Nurnberg. It reads:

Unto His Grace, Johann IV Hohenzollern
Duke of Brandenburg, Fürst of the House of Hohenzollern, Margrave of Ansbach, Burgrave of Nürnberg, Prince of Bayreuth, Prince-Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, Arch-Chamberlain of the Holy Roman Empire

Your Grace,

Long has the Empire relied on the strenght and wisdom of our Emperor Joachim I. Today, physicians and men of science treating his Most August Imperial Majesty has told me that our Emperor is dying. As such, I continue to manage the day to day business of the Empire as Arch Steward, but I need the support of the electors to continue this duty until the inevitable happens and that we need to discuss elections.

We have had no chance to formally talk up to now, and I am looking forward to meeting Your Grace, and to discuss Imperial matters. Together with my cousin the King of Bohemia, and the Elector of Saxony, I think we will be able to manage the interim of the Empire in respect of our Lord the Emperor.

So please, your Grace, join me in Nurnberg.

Sincerely yours,in God,
Frederick von Wittelsbach, Count Palatine of the Rhine

 

[Mettermrck]

Your Grace, I hope this letter finds you and your son, as well as your family, well. The vision we spoke of Riga now comes to pass, and soon it will come to pass that those who swore trust with us are to come and fight with us against the indel of the east. We beseech you to send your armies to join in our cause, for the time of havoc draws nigh.

 

[unmerged(945)]

Johann looked at himself in the mirror. The face that looked back at him was older than he really wanted to think about. He remembered a time, a time before he became an elector and the ruler of Brandenburg. How easy things had been back then. He had been busy conducting his experiments. Busy in the pursuit of knowledge.

It was this pursuit of knowledge that was the reason why Johann had not taken the throne of Brandenburg in the first place. He had been an embarassment to his father, and had been almost forced to put down his claim in favour of his younger brother. The official reason was off course that Johann was only concerned about the martial disciplines, and wished to concentrate on that unhindered. It was true that Johann was a good swordsman. Very good in fact, and the only thing his father had actually been proud of.

Now. Now Johann was getting older. He could allready feel his physical strength waning. Soon he would be at the point where it would wane ever more rapidly. The point where he could no longer call himself a warrior, but would have to join the ranks of all the other elderly rulers of Europe. His mind was just as keen though. The mind that his father had never appreciated. The mind his father had wanted to hide away.

He looked into the mirror again. On his face. The many wrinkles. Rulership had aged him quicker perhaps? He turned as he heard his sons voice from below. Even though he was getting up in the years he could still beat his son in a duel. Feeling some years run off his shoulders, Johann buckled his swordbelt and went below.

 

[unmerged(945)]

"... and the King is supposedly dead. Queen Anna.. her I have heard little about, except that she is supposed to have fled. You have to understand that this information is unrealiable at best though. We are not really that well updated on the happenings within Lotharingia. But I know you have taken a liking to Queen Anna so..."

Dorotheas face paled when she heard the news from her father. He had went for her immediately when he had received the news himself. But how could this be? Lotharingia was the most powerful kingdom, well, anywhere. And surely a King like Louis would have protected himself and his interest. She closed her eyes. No, it was possible. Anything is possible in this cruel world. Oh Anna! Where are you? The last time they had met was in Dijon. There they had shared something called 'dream powder', something that had affected Dorothea greatly. The time in Dijon had brought them closer together somehow, and now Dorothea fealt worry grow in her.

"Is there nothing we can do father? Nothing at all? Surely you have men that could go look for her and..". Her father, the elector, was silent for a while. As if he was struggling with what to say. "The distances, the area to look for her. A vast area, we could not possibly find enough men to search the entire Lotharingia. And she might even not be there anymore..." He was silent for a few seconds more. "And we cannot very well invade Lotharingia, now can we? And remember that we do not know anything for certain. Dijon is very far from here."

Dorothea fealt powerless. Even more powerless than she had been that time in Dijon, Anna had needed help then too. She fealt that she had not been able to support Anna like she should have. She should have done more! And now... powerless. She just then realized that her father had spoken again.

"... and I thought you would like to know." Yes, she did like to know, even though it all scared her. Perhaps Anna was dead? The realization that Anna might be dead hit Dorothea like a hammer hits an anvil.

It could not possibly be true! Could it?

 

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A man from Hessen arrives on an unordinary and overcast day. He wanders down a grimy back ally heading towards the court of the local Duke. As he walks through the drab streets he ponders the task at hand. Eventually after passing through several avenues the plainly dressed ambassador arrives at a small building. The structure it seems is the place for foreign emissaries to begin their business. More explicitly it is within the building that he will request an audience since with a man of importance. Proceeding into the unorganized welcome chamber of this room he does exactly that. Brunhild an emissary from Hessen requests an audience to discuss maters of trade.

 

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Due to his plain appearance and talk about trade, the man from Hessen had been mistaken for a merchant and not an emissary. This was also the reason why the reception area looked unorganized and unassuming, as it was not the court, but rather a local merchants house.

Soon the misunderstanding was sorted out however, and the man was taken to another, more official building. There he was let in to see a wizened old man. Even though he was old, his eyes were bright and the way he acted hinted of great intelligence and wisdom.

"Good evening Herr Brunhild. I am Hermann Grunenfeld, His Graces chief trade avisor. The Elector himself rarely handles trade issues directly. If there is anything else you wish to discuss with him as an emissary from Hessen I am sure an audience could be arranged however.

Now about trade." The old man smiled. "How may I be of service?"

 

[unmerged(35921)]

The diplomat smiles. He is pleased with how his mission has gone thus far. These people have been most kind and understanding of him Smoothing his rumpled shirt the emissary thinks carefully as to what he will say.

“Sir a bond of trade is what I seek on behalf of my lord. What I would propose under a trade agreement is merely the opening of our markets to each other. Then hopefully trade can flourish between us German brethren. I see no way in which such an agreement could not allow positive effects to ensue as a result. Now what do you think of this draft for a proposed treaty?”

Pulling a rolled piece of parchment out of his pocket a hopeful look comes into the diplomat’s eyes.

German Trade Agreement

​

For purposes of a positive development of trade and good relations between Hessen and Brandenburg this agreement has been established. The clauses below are binding for the signing parties and confirm a friendship built on trade.

I. Tariffs set by both states will be reduced for the participating state’s merchants.

II. Both parties shall promote the trade of and provide each other goods unique for each country.

III. Changes to this agreement have to be in accordance with both signing parties.

Signed with hopes of a long lasting friendship between the two Kingdoms.

 

[unmerged(945)]

Grunenfeld looked at the document and smiled

"Yes, such an agreement could be very beneficial to us. We would just need the approval of the Imperial Commerce Comission. A mere formality if you know the right people". He grinned before he continued. "As you no doubt know Brandenburg is a full member of the Hansa. While this agreement would off course benefit us, an agreement with the entire Hansa would perhaps be even better don`t you think? I am not a negotiator for the Hansa, but if it were put before the council I am sure my Duke would support it."

Then he added "And perhaps more if it is of any interest. What do you think of such a proposition mein herr?"

 

[unmerged(35921)]

“I think kindly of such a proposal good sir. It does appear that an agreement with the whole of this union would be most beneficial. My support would be fully behind such a plan should you decide to proceed. As for the treaty having to sit before a commission for approval, I see no fault with that. Further, I am willing to wait while such in done. I thank you for your time sir, because this is progressing very well indeed.”

The diplomat has a twinkle in his eyes. Such as one a man gets when he is feeling either very pleased with himself, or the work of others. In this case it is a little of both educing the spark in his eye.

 

[unmerged(945)]

The old man smiled. "Excellent! A letter shall be sent as soon as possible. I am confident that the council shall find this agreement beneficial. Perhaps more than just a trade agreement can be reached too if it would please your lord"

 

[unmerged(945)]

The Hansa Council, Bremen

Lately life had been quiet for Marcus Keppler. He was serving as Brandenburgs voice in the Hansa council. He had not had many things to deal with lately however, bussiness had been going as planned.

With the Duke of Bremen no longer leading the council things could be different though. Perhaps it would be permanent, perhaps only temporary. Noone knew.

Knowing that the trade had to continue flowing, Keppler went to talk to the councilmember from Gelre, Daniel van Straussenberg.

"Mein Herr. Many matters needs to be solved, and it seems like our voices are now the ones that will be heard the most. With the Duke of Bremen no longer heading the council we should perhaps consider electing a new chairman, or at least elect someone that can take his place until the Duke himself can return. Only with an acting chairman can we handle all our pressing matters.

Speaking of which, I have just been notified that Hessen wishes to have a trade agreement with us. Something that could be quite beneficial. If my memory serves me correctly Hessen also used to be a member in the past. Perhaps they would be interested in joining again?

What say you, should we gather the council for a meeting so that the nescessary changes can be made? After all, the Hansa must go on."

 

[unmerged(945)]

The Dukes Council


The room was quite long, and well lit. It was very old and had been decorated in such a way as to give a feeling of elegance and wealth without being overdone. It was dominated by a long table, with a single chair at the head and many more down on each side. At this very moment bottles of wine and goblets had been arranged on the table.

Neither the decorations nor the table was what gave this room its significance however, but rather that this was the room the Duke used when he called his advisors together for a meeting. This was just such a time, at the head of the table sat the Duke himself, while on his left and right sat men of important positions in the duchy. Most notable of those were the chief diplomat Erwin von Sternberg, the trade advisor Hermann Grunenfeld, Bishop Bodeker as well as General von Sellen.

At the time Sternberg was talking. "We have yet to be able to verify the news from Lotharingia Your Grace. The last piece of information we received was that a bounty has been put on the Queens head. If nothing else this would at least mean that she is still alive. I do feel that we need to wait for more information as well as confirm what little we have before taking this to the Diet.

Speaking of which, as you know I just returned from there. At the moment the Empire seems paralyzed. Paralyzed without an Emperor. Even if hard evidence was presented before the Diet about the happenings in Lotharingia I doubt the Empire would be able to do much."

Duke Johann nodded to the diplomat. "I have sent agents to gain more information and verify this situation. As you said yourself we cannot act on mere rumours. Strange rumours have abounded before, and then later proved to be untrue." Johann wondered how Casimir of the Greif would react to these news when he received them. If he had not allready, as far as Johann knew the new Duke of Pommerania had not yet arrived in Stettin.

He turned to the trade advisor. "You said something before about a trade agreement with Hessen. How is that proceeding?"

The wizened old Hermann Grunenfeld put his goblet back on the table. "Since the Hansa will be very involved in such a treaty I have sent a letter to our councilmember. The problem as I see it is that without the Duke of Bremen the organization is now just as paralyzed as the Empire. A new chairman must be chosen, at least temporarily, and the charter will need some changes as it is right now very dependent on the Duke of Bremen.

Our councilmember has contacted the delegate from Gelre on this matter, but so far nothing has happened. Unless things improve soon we might perhaps have to put some pressure on our dutch friends. While hanseatic trade has not been hurt yet it will be in the future unless steps are taken, right now there is not even anyone that can negotiate for the Hansa."

At this Johann merely nodded. He was not a merchant, and he would never become a merchant. He did off course understand the value of trade, and the wealth and prosperity it could bring. Still he prefered to leave such matters to other more capable people.

Grunenfeld continued. "There is also another thing... for a very long time now we have not received any taxes from Your Graces western possessions. Most notably those which is inside the province commonly called Magdeburg. While much of that province does in fact belong to Brandenburg, it contributes nothing. Indeed, many other lords are not even aware of Your Graces sizeable lands there.

It seems like the area is turning more and more lawless, with petty lords making their own rules and bandits ravaging the countryside. As I said this has been going on for a long time, but we never had the resources to put it straight. If this situation was improved it could mean a great boost to Your Graces assets."

Johann frowned. Neither his father or any of his brothers had managed to do this. The situation had in fact existed before the Hohenzollern had come to power in the march of Brandenburg. He turned to the General "Would we have the men to do something about this?"

The General, Heinrich von Sellen, replied "It would require a great effort Your Grace, and many mercenaries would have to be hired in order to deal with the bandits. We will also have to establish a strong presence there quite early before launching larger operations. Perhaps it would be possible to find some loyal lords there, and use that as a base to increase our presence in the region. Initial expenditures for such a thing would not be great."

Tapping his finger against the table for a few seconds, Johann did not reply immediately. When he finally spoke it was after considering it carefully. "Very well. Just make sure that our initial approach is as discreet as possible. The more we can accomplish without the use of force or threat of force the better."

And like this the meeting continued until it was very late, these topics, as well as others like how beneficial it would be to gain a dynastic alliance with certain realms close to Brandenburg.

 

[Elias Tarfarius]

A letter arrives from Munchen...

UNTO his Grace, Johann IV Hohenzollern,Duke of Brandenburg, Fürst of the House of Hohenzollern, Margrave of Ansbach, Burgrave of Nürnberg, Prince of Bayreuth, Prince-Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, Arch-Chamberlain of the Holy Roman Empire
FROM Elisabeth, Regent of Bavaria, Herzogin von Ober-Bayern-Munchen

We welcome highly your correspondence with us and your Grace's offer of an exchange of ambassadors. While we cannot promise a man to be permanently in your court, we shall find some man of right bearing to fulfill that post in the near future. We shall greet with great honors any man who shall be ambassador to our cour as well.

It is noted that your Grace is a close neighbor of our house and that therefore we should forge close bonds. I think this very proper considering the state of the Empire as it stands. We princes and other rulers must do the work of defense and commerce without the aid of Imperial government. Thus I also ask if there are any women of your house that would be of right age and right mind for marriage to my son, Duke Ulrich. There is no strong bond than blood and it need not be an immediate contact as he is but nigh 11 years and not offically Duke. All I ask is that the matter be considered for the time to be discussed at your Grace's pleasure.

Sincerly,
Elisabeth, Regent Duchess