- ARCHIVE - Republican Court of Tuscany

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Court of the Florentine Republic

The Court of the Florentine Republic

Welcome oh, noble visitor, to the Florentine Republic, the Chairman isn't available right now, but feel free to make a stroll trough our beautiful town!

HISTORY:

Romans and Dark Ages
Florence, once known as Florentia, was founded in the 3rd Century BC by a tribe known as the Etrurians, they were a peaceful and culturally sophisticated tribe. In 82 BC Sulla, a Roman commander,destroyed the entire town. It was in 59 BC that Julius Caesar rebuilt the town. It became a flourishing city, the major city in Tuscany. In 405 AD however the Dark Ages started, Lombards, Goths and Byzantines fought bloody wars on Florentine turf. It was not until 774 AD that Florence was once again liberated by Charlemange and incorporated in the Margraviate of Tuscany. Soon it became the capital, Florence started to flourish once again, the San Miniato abbey was built.

Popes and Emperors
In 1115 Margravess Mathilda died, leaving Florence as an independent city. Florence started to expand, Signa, Fiesole and many other fell to the Tuscan armies. In 1177 Florence defeated Emperor Barbarossa who wanted to expand into Florentine land. The power, wich was previously in the hands of rich aristocrats was now in the hand of the Arti (Guilds). In 1215 the war between the Guelphs (pro-pope) and Ghibbelines (pro-Emperor) started. Florence was mainly in the hands of the Guelphs. In 1221 St. Franciscus and St. Dominicus met in the San Paolo Inn, in Florence, a very important event! In 1235 Montalcino was conquered upon the Sienese. In 1252 the first Golden Florine was minted, weighing exactly 3.54 grams of gold. Now a time of conquest started again, Pistoia, Volterra and Arezzo were all conquered along with a great amount of land from the Pisans. Only Siena remained, the Sienese had the devil on their side and won in 1260 in Montaperti. In 1266 the Guelphs under Charles IV of France recaptured the town. In 1293 the small guilds revolted, Florence became a truly democratic state. Florence became a center of culture with its many churches and schools.

Blacks and Whites
In 1302 another civil war broke loose, this time between the Blacks and Whites, both Guelph parties. The Blacks easily defeated the Whites, with amongst them the famous Dante Alighieri. Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor came to the aid of the Whites, for years he besieged the city, but Florence kept resisting. But soon they broke out, recapturing Arezzo, Cortona and Colle Val d'Elsa bewtween 1331 and 1338. But then disasters struck. In 1332 the Arno flooded leaving Florence scarred for life. But disasters don't last for ever and in 1334 Giotto di Bondone started the construction of the Duomo and the Campanile. The Plague raged trough Florence in the summer of 1348, 3/4 of the people were killed, leaving only 25 000 survivors.
In 1378 the Ciompi revolted, the arte minori retook their place in the governement In 1402 Florence was almost on its knees after the loss against Visconti in Casalecchio (1402). But once again Florence prevailed, Pisa was captured and annexed in 1406. The city housed the Concillium of 1409, the end of the Great Schism. Pope Martin reigned from the city of Florence, and in 1421 Livorno was bought, creating a harbor for Florence.In 1423 a new Republic was found, the rich banker Cosimo de Medici became Chairman of a true democracy.

GOVERNEMENT:

The Republic is indirectly ruled by the people as in a true democracy. All male citizens, older then 21 are allowed to have a vote in the senatorial elections wich take place every 5 years. The citizens directly choose 65 senators of the 100, 20 are chosen by the City Councils and 15 by the Clergy. The Senate votes on laws and regulates the daily life in the Republic. The Senate also chooses the members of the Ministries, each concerned with one specific area of the Florentine daily life. The person with the largest number of votes in the senatorial elections becomes Chancellor of the Florentine Republic, he has the duty to keep order within the senate and is Head of State in the absence of the Chairman. The Senate meets every 2 weeks in the Palazzo Vecchio of Florence but can also be called upon by the Chancellor or Chairman in times of emergency. The Chairman of the Republic is chosen every 10 years directly by the people, he is the Head of State, Supreme Commander of Army and Navy and Supreme Judge, he has the ability to allow or forbid laws chosen by the Senate, current Chairman is Cosimo de Medici (see painting above), elected in the Year of Our Lord 1420.

NOTABLE PERSONS:

Chairman of the Florentine Republic, Cosimo de Medici
Chancellor of the Florentine Republic, Pierluigi Bembo
Archbishop Allesandro de Medici of Florence, Minister of Religion
General Frederico dall' Neri, Minister of Defense
Admiral Baldassare di Vaio, Minister of Maritime Affairs
Minister of Agriculture, Andrea Paesano
Minister of Culture, Simone Martinelli
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fransesco Manelli
Minister of Finances, Umberto Ricci
Minister of Trade & Commerce, Giulio Pariggi
Minister of Interior Affairs, Rodolfo Stanza

TERRITORY:
The mighty Florentine Republic includes 13 free cities with their own councils, representatives in the Senate and rights, those cities are:
Arezzo(2 representatives)
Cortona
Empoli
Fiesole
Florence(5 representatives)
Gubbio
Pisa(3 representatives)
Pistoia
Prato
San Gimignano
San Miniato
Sansepolcro
Volterra

DIPLOMACY:

Nations to whom we have diplomatic ties:[Excellent Relationship/Neutral Relationship/ Bad Relationship]

France
Papal States
the Holy Roman Empire

Special diplomatic ties:
Athens: vassal, paying 10.000 florines as tribute (1 eco)


Florentine diplomats abroad:
France: Fransesco di Mottone
Papal States: Fra Bartolomeo
the HRE: Piero Guidicchi

Foreign diplomats in Florence:
France:Louis de Crevant, Comte de Nanteuil-le-Haudouin

CURRENT AFFAIRS:

GENERAL: The war in England has ended, France is repaying it's loan.
RELIGIOUS:A new archbishop, Frederico de Medici has been appointed in Florence.

MILITARY: The Tuscan Army is the first army in Europe to be organised out of regular forces instead out of mercenaries.

NAVAL:The San Giovanni battleship, the pride of the Florentine navy will be sent to Portugal, their captain will be Nicolló Vespucci.

AGRICULTURAL: The Chianti wine of this year is of a most splendid quality

CULTURAL: The portrait of Louis, Dauphin of France has been finished and will be sent to England as soon as posibble.

FOREIGNiplomats have recently been sent to the HRE, France and the Holy See. Our vassal Athens is at war.

FINANCIAL:Repayments of the 30.000 florentines, lended to France,have commenced.

COMMERCIAL:Our traders have been sent to the east to explore new markets there.

INTERIOR: The Senate are debating on making the Chairman appointed for life.


RECENT HISTORY:

-30.000 Florines were loaned to the Kingdom of France.



We thank you for your visit to our most humble city and hope to see you again soon.

 

[Warspite]

(Letter from Venice)

My dear friend, it is good to see that you have entered the courts of diplomacy once more. It was a pleasure to work with you in the liberation of Athens. Venice was honored to serve Tuscany in freeing her vassal from bondage.

I hope that we can work on closer relations and let me personally invite you to the Italian alliance of St Mark. I will rush my Ambassador to you at once.

Signed Doge Foscari

 

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Charles VII had been in Rome for some while, but Rome was silent, and well he wanted to see Italy, so he decided to ride to Tuscany. He entered Florence with all the grandeour and splendeur worthy of a monarch, he rode through the streets up to Palace where Cosimo de Medici greated him and invited him to the palace.

Cosimo showed Charles VII all the splendour of Florence that day, later on Cosimo introduces Charles VII to the government of Tuscany.

 

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Later that day both of them went on a hunt in the Mugello. They catched several boars and deers and made a lot of fun. Later that day they had a magnificent banquet in Cosimo's villa just outside Florence. Before he left Charles visited Florence, he received a gift from Cosimo, it was a sculpture made by the famous sculptor Donatello. The two men became good friends and Cosimo invited Charles to his villa whenever he was tired of the busy life of Paris. For hours they tried the finest Tuscan wines, argueing about whom made the best wines, Tuscany or France? The next morning it was time for Charles to leave. Cosimo promised to send a diplomat to Charles' court as soon as he could and they would both write plenty of letters to each other.

 

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A young man enters the court of the Tuscan Chairman.
Your grace, i am Louis de Crevant, Comte de Nanteuil-le-Haudouin, sent by his majesty Charles VII to serve as ambassador in your realm.

 

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a letter arrives
Noble house of Medici, the Crown of France is threatened by the Englishmen whom seems willing to break an papal edict, and thus we come in matters of state to you.
We therefore ask you if you are willing, with financial backing and military support aid France if England breaks the papal edict. In any case you should support your Emperor in the war against the invadors.
Signed
Charles VII

 

[Warspite]

Honorable lord, the years have passed and Venice stands true to her friend Tuscany. However we wish to propose a further unity with our Italian brothers. In honour of our most Holy father and for the protection of him and Peace and prosperity, we invite you to join in the League of St Mark.

I look forward to your reply

Doge Foscari

 

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a letter arrives
Noble Regent of Tuscany, we are overjoyed concerning your great offer to our state, if the English pigdogs intervene, we will gladly accept your aid, untill then we hold you to your offer.
Signed
Charles VII

 

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a letter arrives
As your painters are close to Rome, once the baptise is done you are free to send painters my friend
Signed
Charles VII

 

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a letter from Modena

A finely dressed messenger enters the court and bows. He hands a letter to court officials, it reads:


"Your grace,

We write to reaffirm our dedication to solidarity against our enemies and seeking peace in Italy. With your permission, I will send a trusted servant to your court and ask you send someone to Modena to represent Tuscany at my court. It is the interest of both of us to keep our relations strong and our resolve unified to guarantee the security of Italy and our respective states.

Duke Niccolò III di Modena

 

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A letter arrives to the Tuscan Chairman
Finaly my son is baptised, Louis Henri de Valois is one among the servants of God now.
The only thing that clouds this day is the events that gives the evil federation right to attack France, due to the fact that they wont be excommunicated. Ah, my brother Henri, is in command in Paris and will lead the defence, but i must move home as well, along with my cardinal, family, and my chancellor, the journey will take a long time, and we will stop by Tuscany for resuplies, there maby your painter can paint a portrait of my son before i continue with haste to Paris.
Signed
Charles VII

 

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A letter arrives
Charles VII has received a copy of a letter sent by the usurper regent of England, he has directly defied the cease fire and his troops will be knocking on the gates of Paris.
We hold you to your promise, build up your armies and dispatch them to France as soon as possible, to protect the Most Christian nation of france .
Signed
Chancellor Rigaud

 

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a letter arrives
The financial advisor Cour, says that we can handle such an sum and therefore we accept the treaty, and sign it.
Dispatch the money as soon as possible.
Signed
Charles VII

 

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A letter from Athens arrives

Your Grace,

As new leader of your vassal of Athens, I would like to extend the hand of my friendship, and should you approve, send an ambassador to your great nation.

I would also like information on recent occurences in the game, should it be possible for you to provide this service.

Your loyal servant

Duke Constantinidis of Athens

 

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Prince Henrique finishes his rally and sends his copies to his fastest messengers to rally it all across Europe.

For God!
I Prince Henrique the son of King D. João of Portugal, am calling all persons interested in fame, fortune, piety, adventure, and education to come to my school here in Sagres, Portugal. For we shall learn the God given skills of navigation, trade, and cartography and embark on a journey for Prestor John. To spread the word of God, and to seek the riches of Africa and Asia. For God and glory. For fame and fortune. All newcommers gain a chicken and some cow beef upon they're arrival. Please, come and embark on this fabulous journey for God and Christ and forever gain the Pope's favor!

 

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An athenian messenger arrives.

"My Lord. As our Overlord, I beg you help us in the war against Albania, Byzantium and Savoy. Should you decide against aid, the Duchy of Athens may be forced to declare its independence from your nation."

 

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A message arrives for the Duke.

"Duke of Tuscany,

Your demands are preposterous. We signed an agreement that if the loan was not paid back in time, Tuscany would get Languedoc, so Tuscany shall recieve Languedoc. I will not alter the deal in any way. I find your lack of respect disturbing and I suggest that your delegates in France start showing France and her friends some respect.

Savoy has been a friend of France for quite some time. It was Savoyard intervention in the French war in 1419 that got Savoy into a vassalization with Burgundy and we shall not forget our Savoyard friends. I kindly request that you respect the words of the Savoyard, or there shall be consequences.

Written by his own hand at Grenoble,

King Charles I,
King of France."

 

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An Italian messenger walks before the the Chairman at Florencia and bows gracefullly before him. He unravels a scroll given to him to read aloud from the Portuguese King.

Ahem...I wish to extend my hand in friendship to you and your people. I believe that both the people of Portugal and Tuscany will be able to benefit with our friendship. I ask of you, to allow me to send an envoy to be my representative to you and your good state. I have brought you gifts to show how Portugal wishes to befriend you.

<the messenger pauses and the bag he brought is presented before the Chairman and it is filled with gold and silks, and then he continues while clearing his throat>

I hope you will enjoy these gifts. The states of Italia are grand, and rich, I wish to learn from your good example, and benifit from it. I hope that we in Portugal will have something that may benefit you as well. Furthermore, I have heard of your diplomat in France, and I am deeply saddened. My personal respect for the King there has dimished greatly, as they seemed to have turned their backs on their own ally.

This grand time, that Italia is basking in the glories of trade, commerce, and the arts we wish to learn from you and your people. In Portugal we are experiancing similar Renaissances, and we hope that this relationship, will benefit us both. Please accept an envoy to your good state, and may God's glory and Holy Spirit shine upon Tuscany for all eternity!

The messenger bows again, and streches out his hand for any coin that he may get as a gift for presenting this message.

 

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A tall lanky man with the colors of the north enters the chamber bearing Chairman de Medici and bows, the man wearing the colors of Scotland rises and speaks:


"Greetings Chairman of the Republic of Florence. I am Sir Thomas Hyde sent by his most royal majesty King James I of Scotland. I am here to be your ambassador and would very much like to be accepted here in your fine court. My King wishes to open the hands of friendship with you, and for you to send an ambassador of your own to our nation. I bring with me fine scottish wool, and scotch for you to enjoy."

Sir Hyde bows again and awaits response.

 

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A man stands up in the silence of the court,

"Doge of Tuscany,

I am Abramo Pasquale, the ambassador from Genoa to your fair nation. I come before you today in the matter of Italian unity.

The Doge of Genoa has finished his costly wars with the muslims, and now we are back to dominating the seas with our merchants. With the signing of our new trade deals we have even reached the level of trade of Venice.

And now back to the fate of Italy, we have always been long divided between warring city-states. Yet while the Iberians, French, English, and even Russians have sought to unify themselves Italians have done nothing.

Now obvously I do not mean to create a Italian Kindgom, as that would come after much tedious work and years... but I do wish for a greater unity between us.

Economic, political, and militayr accords that could unify more Italians under a single purpose. Would you be willing to enter into such talks to forward the idea of a stronger union in Italy.

We have contacted Naples in addition to this. I ask you to think about it, the most powerful nation in North Italy, Genoa, the most poweful nation in Central Italy, Tuscany, and the most poweful nation in Southern Italy, Naples, all unified in a common purpose.

And who knows, mayby our step to unity could set a presednce to other Italian later on in life....and mayby an Italian Kingdom. But unfortunately that seems a long way off.

But would you be willing to discuss such things. If so I invite you to come to Genoa and meet with the Doge personally as we have also invited the King of Naples.

All three of us meeting would be the first step to cooperation."

With that the man bows and awaits a response.