- ARCHIVE - Republican Court of Genoa

[unmerged(8303)]

A letter arrives from Siena.

"Revered Doge of Genoa,

The Republic of Siena would be honored to have your representative in our presence. I have already sent a man of mine from Firenze to your city and I expect he will be arriving within a fortnight.

In Genoa he is my eyes and ears and I pray of you to treat him with respect and dignity and be confident of the fact your representative will be treated with the utmost respect in my presence.

Fredrigo di Malatesta
Signor di Siena"

 

[Chris8b]

A letter arrives from al-Jaza'ir

Written in Latin script and sealed by the mark of the crescent...

For the eyes of Allesandro Doria, Doge of the Republic of Genoa,

Your honorable representative, Federico Ludociva Camanero, has been gone from my court longer than expected. May God spare him from the ravages of the Black Death that swept over the lands like a horde of locusts.

I write to report that the trade between our lands flourishes in Oran and al-Jaza'ir. The bazaars are full of Genovese goods and my merchants are flush with Genovese coin. Not since the Romans founded Icosium have my people experienced the wealth of Italia as they do now.

The cost to my country to accomodate your ships has been great, however. My men protect your merchants and provide only the best supplies and water. To help offset such costs, I write to ask for a loan to continue the improvement of trade between our countries. It would, of course, be repaid as quickly as possible and would open the door for even more lucrative agreements in the future. Please consider my request.

I pray for Camanero's health.

Praise God.

Abu'l Abbas Ahmad
Sultan of the Zayyanid Caliphate (Algiers)

 

[unmerged(7347)]

In Cairo

The Grand Vizier replies Camanero.

"How much we do agree to the benefits of your proposal, giving Genoa monolopy on the trade to christian states the Mameluke Sultanate cant sign such an agreement as it have already signed an agreement with a christian state,Aragon, allowing them to trade in Egypt.The Sultan do not wish to break written agreements but as the treaty with Aragon doesnt have an end date, I will send words to the Aragonese King trying to renegotiate the treaty. Until then, monopoly cant be given to Genoa, but any other kind of agreement is much welcomed in Cairo, unless your Doge wish to wait for the outcome of our renegotiations with Aragon."

 

[unmerged(18481)]

A fat, bearded man steps forward.

“O, great Doge!” he begins in a loud voice, and kneels down “I bring you sad news, terrible news: my old lord, your humble servant, Duke Riccardo of Piemonte is dead! What a great loss for us all! What a grave pain I have in my heart! But… we have a new Duke! His son, Antonio took over Riccardo’s duties a week ago, he was the one, who sent my humble self to you. My name is Ludovico Fosca, and I am a loyal vassal of him, as he is a loyal vassal of you. And, for he is your loyal vassal, he needs your permission to be a rightful lord of Piemonte. You know, sire, when we got the news of the old Duke’s death, we, nobles of Piemonte, ran to Antonio, and we wanted to proclaim him Duke on the place, but he said “No!” You can imagine our astonishement, sire. But then he turned to me: “Fosca!” he said “Go, and ride to Genoa immediately, go to the Doge, and ask him for his permission. I would never call myself Duke without his permission,” So that’s why I am here, sire. Antonio also instructed me to stay here in your court as an ambassador, if you agree” Ludovico Fosca adds, then he bows his head, and waits for the answer of the Doge.

 

[unmerged(9313)]

The Doge smiles.

"Ahh, I'm sorry to hear about the death of the old duke, but I'm sure his son Antonio will be a good leader of Piemonte, as his father was. Ludovico Fosca, I welcome you to the fair city of Genoa. You may send word back to Piemonte, that I mourn the loss of the old duke, but greet his son as the new duke of Piemonte."

 

[unmerged(18481)]

Ludovico Fosca, the ambassador from Piemonte speaks again:

“Mylord, Duke Antonio received your kind words of greeting, and although he is still mourning his noble father, he is more than happy to have another such a loving father again – for you are his father, not by blood, but by the oath of vassalage, and the ties of an oath are sometimes even stronger than those of the blood. He is a very young man: only seventeen years old, but he is wise enough to ask for, and accept the advice of the older and wiser. A son should listen to the advice of his father – thus my Duke would welcome any advice, proposal and suggestion from you, his father by the oath of vassalage. He would like to ask you to send someone to his court, who would represent you: an ambassador, an advisor, someone, who could help this young man in the hard work of ruling.”

 

[unmerged(7347)]

At the Sultans Court in Cairo

The Grand Vizier approach the Genoan ambassador, Camanero.

"After many hours of hard work, I believe we have comed to a good proposal for an agreement between our two nations"

The Grand Vizier shows Camanero the proposed document.

"Genoan merchants will have monopoly, as the single christian nation, to export spices, ivory, salt, linen, glas and other luxury items intended for the European market that is producced or reexported via Egypt.

Genoa will have the righ to build and maintaine their own warhouses in Alexandria in order to be able to stock purchased goods intended for export.

Genoan merchants will pay a 40 percent toll on spices and 30 percent on other kind of goods shipped out by them from Egypt.

Genoa will provide the Egyptian market with timber, wine, copper and iron products aswell as oliveoil without imposing any tolls upon thoose goods.

Genoa promises to look favourable upon requests of financial support from the Sultanate of the Mamelukes.

This agreement is valid until the end of 1438, when the terms should be renegotiated."

The Grand Vizier continues.

"We are of course open for any changes you would like to propose..."

 

[unmerged(9945)]

A letter is dispatched to The Doge from Baraq Khan and finds its way to Genoa days later

Doge,

My losses this year indicate that trade with the west may not be the most profitable venture. I hereby declare all our agreements cancelled. The Golden Horde will no longer trade silk or anyother goods with The Genoese people. I do thank you for the modern navy you have built us though.

I am also removing myself from The Eastern Pact of Mutual Protection as there is no longer a trade route to protect and I have no desire to protect The West.

I fear I can no longer trust foreign peoples, as tensions are on the rise between East and West once more. I will allow Greeks and Italians to stay within my territory though, the minority living within The Golden Horde has proven capable.

Baraq Khan

 

[unmerged(9945)]

A letter arrives for The Doge once again.

Doge,

I won't consider such a course of action until I feel comfortable. For now, I am cutting all ties with The West. You will not hear from me for some time.

Baraq Khan

 

[cccino]

A secret letter arrives in the Doge's hands.

 

[Chris8b]

A letter arrives from al-Jaza'ir

Written in Latin script and sealed by the mark of the crescent...

For the eyes of Allesandro Doria, Doge of the Republic of Genoa,

My last two letters to you have gone unanswered and yet my couriers assure me they arrived at your Court. I have heard that Federico Ludociva Camanero turned up in Egypt and for that, I thank Allah.

I understand that Genoa's honor is attacked by jealous rivals in European courts. I hope this letter finds the Republic strong and that time may be found to re-establish communication between our nations.

Praise God.

Abu'l Abbas Ahmad
Sultan of the Zayyanid Caliphate (Algiers)

 

[unmerged(18481)]

Ludovico Fosca, the Piemontese ambassador steps forward.

“O, Great Doge!” he shouts as dramatically as always and kneels down. “You certainly heard about the agression of the Duke of Modena: he greatly insulted the good Duke of Tuscany, and then HE was the one who declared war upon the peaceful Tuscan people! My lord Antonio have heard these ugly news with great sadness, for it seems, Italian in-war will ravage our lands once again. To prevent this, it could be neccesary to move troops to the lands of Modena to protect our Tuscan friends.

So my Duke would like to ask for your permission to join Tuscany in their war against Modena, if the Modenan Duke refuse to send his excuses to the Duke of Tuscany and refuses to end the war. To repel the warmongers, it would be also nessecary to let our troops march through the lands of Genoa, so my Duke also asks you to grant us the right of passage.

And on an other issue: my Duke also would like to express his sadness, because you still haven’t sent an ambassador to his court. Although he understands that you are a very busy man, so you haven’t got the time to choose a proper person, he is sad because he still needs to miss the wiseness of a Genoese advisor in his court.”

He bows his head, and awaits the Doge's answer.

 

[unmerged(17500)]

A letter arrives in Genoa from Dubrovnik

"My good Doge, we have been friends for some time now, but I fear that there has been some harsh words between my younger brother and your Diet representative. I would like to try to reaffrim our friendship and to also to do my best to keep an embargo from occuring. Ragusa understands your situation and hopes you shall make a wise decision but for now I hope God goes with you.

~Stefan Crnojevic, Duke of Ragusa"

 

[cccino]

A message arrives by ship.

Gracious Doge,

My uncle, his majesty the King of Hungary and Croatia, and yourself had for many years a close relationship - indeed still do. It is my sad duty to inform you that the King is seriously ill. The physicians are doing their best, but have informed me the situation is entirely in the hands of God - meaning, no doubt, his recovery will be long and arduous. I ask that you pray for his good health.

I know you and Matthias had an informal agreement of mutual defence. Perhaps at this time it would be judicious to have this written down.

Therefore I propose the following:

*. It is essential to note that the nations of Hungary and Genoa do have a responsibility to protect each other from harm.
*. That Hungary and Genoa will defend each other against their enemies by either a) declaration of war in support; or b) sufficient monies (in the form of interest-free loans) as to ensure the other nation is successful in their endeavours.
*. That this pact should not interfere with either nation's full and formal alliances, existing or future.
*. That Hungary and Genoa retain the option to refrain from direct interference in the case where one nation has a pact of non-aggression with the other's enemy.
*. That Hungary and Genoa retain the option to enter a state of war as an ally against any enemy, offensive or defensive; but that in such case no separate peace is to be sought by the second party.

Using these suggestions as a guide, what say you? Is there anything else that must be added?

In honour of Genoa's recent efforts to complete the arsenal near Kosice, where Venice has failed us, I suggest this agreement be known as the Kassa Pact.

Finally, it is time to renew our economic and mercenary agreements. If you have no objections, the current terms can be renewed as is - but perhaps for three years at a time instead of two? The only other changes, which I have underlined in gold, are mere updates to the wording to take finished projects and so forth into account.

Eagerly awaiting your response,

Ugo, Regent of Hungary.

Attached is an edited copy of the existing agreements between Genoa and Hungary that needs to be renewed.

Hungary--Genoa Arms Agreement

In the Year of our Lord 1435, in the month of October, the nations of Hungary and Genoa do hereby enter into this contract.

• SECTION I:
  
  I. Genoa shall provide, at cost, stocks of weapons and military equipment (of only the highest quality) including spears, polearms, swords, shields, pavises, siege machines, crossbows, cannon and so forth.
  
  II. Genoa shall provide personnel in the form of drill instructors and military strategists for the training of the King's army, and a division of mercenaries under Genoese pay to fight under the King's banner.
  
  III. Genoa shall provide personnel in the form of drill instructors and military strategists for the training of the Knights of the realm and Baronial armies.
  
  IV. Genoa shall provide to Hungary in times of war no less than 10 Commands of 100 troops to professionally lead the divisions of the General Levy.
  
  (NB. all this in the form of at least 1 eco to be applied to no more than one event per contract period)
  
  SECTION II:
  
  I. In return, Hungary shall provide a payment of 1% of annual volume of extracted iron, coal, copper, lead from the King's mines. However, it is Genoa's responsibility to organise and pay for transport etc.
  
  II. Guaranteed sales to Genoa of 35% of annual export of non-precious metals (including iron, coal, copper, lead) at prices negotiated six-monthly and fixed for the period.
  
  III. Guaranteed sales to Genoa of 10% of annual export of all other raw materials (including timber and salt) at prices negotiated six-monthly and fixed for the period.
  
  IV. Guaranteed sales to Genoa of 5% of annual export of all other goods (including cattle, foodstuffs, wine, worked/crafted and luxury items) at prices negotiated six-monthly and fixed for the period.
  
  SECTION III:
  
  I. 5% off standard foreign-merchant import and export duties for Genoan merchants inside the borders of Hungary. Likewise for Hungarian merchants in Genoan-controlled markets.
  
  II. This is to be a 36 month contract, open to renewal or renegotiation at the end of September 1441.
  
  EXTENSION:
  
  I.Genoa shall increase its supply of weapons to Hungary by an additional 50%, to cover the remaining equipment not yet delivered by Venice.
  
  II.Genoa having invested in the completion of the arsenal facilities near Kassa, is contracted to build a second arsenal at Visegrád near Buda.
  
  III.Genoa shall be the only foreign nation permitted to import Silk into Hungary, to be enforced by excessive taxation.
  
  IV.Hungary and Genoa grant each others armies military access in times of need.
  
  V.Hungary and Genoa guarantee each other peace and non-aggression.

 

[BusterBunny]

A message arrives from Burgundy. It reads:

"Gracious Doge,

I have heard of the discussions in the Diet, and wish to set talks directly with you on the matter of the possible loans that could be done to the Muslim nations of the East. We have a history of non-interference between Burgundy and Genoa, as we never have much relations. This is understandable as your are often away promoting trade and finding new products. I must admit I have grown fond of the different clothing material you bring to us, and do not wish for those to stop coming in.

I am ready to ask my delegate in the Diet to modify the motion put forward in the Diet. It is my understanding, limited that is, that the muslim world is not a united front, and that often, fights between different muslim nations may arrise. As such, I would understand why Your Grace would use these occasions to support a trade partner in order to control another muslim nation. This would promote trade, generally.

I also understand that the motion put forward points directly to Genoa, when other countries could do the same.

For that, I am ready to modify the motion put forward to be non country-specific, thus pointing the finger at everybody, and include only loans that would be involved in countries declaring war against christian countries.

I remain strongly opposed to loans made to muslim nations attacking christian countries. This is trully arming our ennemies against ourselves.

The motion would then look like this:

The ICC, with the blessing of the Emperor, shall declare an Imperial embargo on ANY country making a loan to a muslim country that will use this money to declare war on a christian country.

I could ask to place this motion forward to clear Genoa's name, and insure the goal of the Empire and the Church is still respected.

I hope this will accomodate Genoa.

Sincerely yours, in God,
Myriam de Montainblanc, regent of Lotharingia".

 

[Chris8b]

A sealed letter arrives from al-Jaza'ir.

 

[Chris8b]

A letter arrives from al-Jaza'ir

Written in Latin script and sealed by the mark of the crescent...

To the Honorable Allesandro Doria, Doge of the Republic of Genoa,

Our recent correspondence has buoyed my spirits and I eagerly await the return of Signore Camanero. Per our exchange, I offer the following draft:

-----

The 1438 Pact of Non-Aggression Between the Zayyanid Caliphate (Algiers) and the Republic of Genoa

In the spirit of prosperous trade, the Zayyanid Caliphate and Genoa recognize the need for continued peace in the Western Mediterranean. Therefore:

1. The Zayyanid Caliphate pledges that no military action will be taken against ships or other forces of the Republic of Genoa, be they merchant or military.
2. The Republic of Genoa pledges that no military action will be taken against ships or other forces of the Zayyanid Caliphate, be they merchant or military.
3. The Zayyanid Caliphate will protect Genoa and it’s citizens against harm from third parties while in the domains of the Caliphate.
4. The Republic of Genoa will protect the Zayyanid Caliphate and it’s citizens against harm from third parties while in the domains of the Republic.
5. Should the Caliph lawfully order holy war (jihad) against Genoa, the Zayyanid Caliphate has the option to give a six month notice of intent to withdraw from this Pact. In such a case, the Zayyanid Caliphate will take no action against Genoa during those six months and allow Genoa to safely withdraw their interests from Zayyanid lands and waters.
6. Should the Pope lawfully order holy war (crusade) against the Zayyanids, Genoa has the option to give a six month notice of intent to withdraw from this Pact. In such a case, Genoa will take no action against the Zayyanids during those six months and allow the Zayyanid Caliphate to safely withdraw their interests from Genoese lands and waters.
7. This Pact will expire naturally on December 31, 1450, by Christian reckoning of the calendar.

-----

We hope for continued prosperity in trade between our countries. This Pact assures it.

Praise God.

Abu'l Abbas Ahmad
Sultan of the Zayyanid Caliphate (Algiers)

 

[BusterBunny]

A letter arrives from Burgundy.

"His Grace Allesandro Doria, Doge of Genoa,

Your letter touched me. I am not easily impressed by letters, but this one did. For one, you were, I believe, quite straightforward with me. You also were able to relates to events I don't remember, but my knowledge of the east is limited.

Genoa being the fortress that it is, it is not imprevious to my armies, and I understand the defensive stance that my delegate might have caused you. In Auvergne, at the time we were under the French crown, we always felt that one day or the other, England would come and destroy us, and we felt this was threatening obviously. So, when I see Genoa, making good trade progress, I can only feel that Burgundy seems to be a threat to you. Consequently, I want to put forward, between our both nations, a simple treaty of non-aggression. That would show you that Burgundy, at least, does not wish to take Genoa and its territories. We can put as many reserves as we want, but I'd like the spirit of this accord to stay a non-aggression pact.

The merchants of the Hansa Trade Union are already working hard in my country. I do not have the luxury of having much tax collectors, so I do not charge them any extra-ordinary fees. They are helping me reconstruct my country. If they were to shake hands with your own merchants through Burgundy, then let it be so. I thus offer you the same priviledges, might you want them, of trade within my kingdom. Again, this could take the form of a trade agreement of some sort.

I didn't remember that Venice had made loans to muslim nations attacking the Empire. But Venice is not part of our Empire, so we are limited in actions. Again, I don't remember the specifics, and the year this happened...

A last question: do you fear for your provinces in the east, now that the Hordes have broken their agreement with you?

Sincerely yours, in God,
Myriam de Montainblanc, regent of Lotharingia."

 

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A letter from Ragusa

"Well my friend, the represetative did admit to his mistake about the past loan, but was correct about the future loan and made valid points. The representative also happens to be my cherished younger brother, and as you may have been offended by his admitted mistake, I was certainly shocked at the blatent call of "Liar."

However I am a fair man, and know that to keep from any "vendeta" concessions are able to be made on both sides. So I think that for the sake of both states that the issue is forgotten and put into the past. That I think is the wisest course of action.

~Stefan Crnojevic, Duke of Ragusa"

 

[Alexandru H.]

Andrea Scali enters the throne room.

"I deeply apologize for my long absence. The Duke had medical problems and we had to step in and take care of his bussiness. Not good, if we only take a look at the latest trade results."

"But now Modena has challenged me and I accepted it, after seeing that there is no turning point. Niccolo has no Casus Belli, yet he attempts to defeat us. We shall see who will laugh last"

"Because of our financial problems, my duke has instructed me to ask for a small loan...we want to make sure that Modena is forever silenced and vassalized. If all will be successful, Niccolo will kneel before the pope before entering a monastery for the rest of his natural life"