Destiny: A historical RPG campaign - AAR thread

[kurtbrian]

Report on colonial expansion, 1568​

To her most catholic majesty Elisabeth of England

Colonial expansions is going very well on the east coast of North America. And the exploration of the Ocean east of Africa is also going very much as planned. The exploration can only be achieved because of the goodwill of our generous allies in Spain and Portugal, which has allowed Frobisher to dock and resupply in the their ports. Forbisher is a daring explorer who is burning for life at sea and exploring the great unknown. It is my belief that he will continue to do so for many years, he is most loyal and devotedly catholic.

Regarding the further colonial expansions for England I feel that India, Africa and for east are not valid targets. It will only cause strife between our allies and us and that is to be avoided as much as possible. The English colonial policy should be to focus on North America, we should equip expeditions to travel into the depths of continent instead of trying to found colonies in the far east.
Our current settlements will be upgraded but we need to explore more to fund more colonies.

Kurt, Lord of Brian​

 

[String]

Denmark 1554-1568

It was probably somewhere around 1554 when the king Christian II invited the advisor String Stringgson to his court. Denmark had been at war for some time alongside its allies Brandenburg and Vorpommern against Poland and it's evil minions. The armies of Brandenburg had been successful but due to total lack of leadership the danish expeditionary army had been stuck in western Lithuania for over a year. Immediatly upon taking up his advisory duties Stringgson ordered them to be pulled out, reinforced and rested.

Due to those orders the casualties were light during the latter parts of the war and soon after the evacuation Poland was forced to make peace with Brandenburg.

Immediatly after the war the king sent out diplomats to Sweden and Brandenburg, proposing a union between the northern protestant countries and thus NEATO was born. As a part of this treaty future zones of interest were drawn out and the province of Kurland was sold to the kingdom of Sweden for 400 ducats.

Heeding the advice of his wise and benelovelent advisor String Stringsson the king of Denmark set his gaze westward, over the seas, where in the new world there was a promise of new land and riches beyond imagination. It was decided that Denmark should no longer seek new conquests in the south or in the east, but rather she should try and expand it's territories in the northern parts of the new world, where once their ancestors had established their colonies.

Sadly there were no adventurous captains in the fleet who would agree to sail into the unknown waters and therefore the colonization efforts would have to be limited to known territories in north america.

Colonists leave from Copenhagen to Anticosti in the new world​

Already before Stringssons time, the danish king had purchased two provinces from Venice, Anticosti and Caniapiscau, quite close to our colonies in Greenland. To those two a third province, Penobscot, was added when an uncolonized stretch of land was discovered by our fleet chasing pirates.

A new start!​

Most of the colonists arrived here already during the reign of Frederik II who also oversaw the construction of fortifications to protect our new colonies and the promotion of new goverment officials.

Building of the first church at the Fort Dannebrog hamlet in Penobscot​

It was said that the natives in Penobscot had massacred the previous englis settlers there but they caused no trouble to us and by the late 1560's they were living in harmony together with our own colonists in Fort Dannebrog.

Despite those developments the king was still worried about the lack of adventurous captains and leaders who would explore that new world and find new land for us to colonise. The only man who had been brave enough, Knut Olafsson, had turn to piracy, becoming the terrible and infamous Knut Icebeard. For seven long years he plagued the seas around Newfoundland before Peder Skrome finally drove his ship into the fjords of Greenland and captured it there intact.

The ship of Knut Icebeard​

However interesting the lands over the sea were, the king also had to think about the matters of europe. He had long been busy with the matters of the colonies and therefore the declaration of war by Bavaria on Brandenburg came as a surprise to him. His decision was firm though, war on the Bavarian catholic fanatics and help to our Brandenburgian allies and protestant brothers!

Our armies were dispersed and ill equipped for war, so it took almost a year before they could finally set out and march to Brandenburg.

Our troops recieved new muskets before marching for war​

By the time our armies arrived the situation was grim for our allies. Saxony had also declared war and had by now occupied both Madgeburg and Berlin. Bavarian troops were guarding Madgeburg while the Saxons were protecting Berlin from attempts of liberation by the armies of Brandenburg.

Time was in short supply and therefore the armies of denmark, led by the brilliant general Daniel Rantzau, decided to attack into the province of Madgeburg. The attack would have to take place over a river and the danish troops would be outnumbered, but the Bavarian troops needed to be defated, otherwise they would have moved on to occupy rest of Brandenburg and defeat her. Therefore a crossing was forced.

The Royal Cavalry at the battle of Madgeburg​

Just before the forces clashed the Saxon general was informed that Denmark and Saxony were not at war and therefore they had no right to help the Bavarians, so suddenly the playing field was equalized as 20000 saxon troops stood by idle. Still the Bavarians had over 40000 men in superior defensive positions facing the same number of Danes. The battle lasted for the whole day, and by the time the evening fell the Bavarians still had control of the battlefield. The losses however were heavy. Almost 20000 Danes and 31000 Bavarians lay dead on the battlefield. The Bavarians yelled victory, as they were still in command of the battlefield, but Daniel Rantzau knew who really had the victory. Scouts from the army of Brandenburg had arrived only hours before the battle was joined and had informed him that the rest of the army was only days away. So when the Brandenburgians arrived the Bavarian army was soundly defeated and it never recovered again.

As the danish army had no direct route to Bavaria it spent the rest of the war garrisoning important Brandenburgian fortifications and keeping the Bavarians at arms length.

Swedish armies arrived to Brandenburg and, as they were at war with Saxony too, went over to the offensive. By 1568 it was clear that Bavaria had been defeated and the king turned his attentions to other matters again, mostly to finding a captain willing to explore the new world.

 

[BiB]

1550-1568: The Habsburg Empire united again and defending catholicism … against an unexpected foe!

The wise Carlos had grown ever more weary of the mismanagement of his brother Ferdinand in the Holy Roman Empire. While he was the Emperor, Ferdinand settled matters locally and that division did not yield the desired results. Something had to be done but what? The obvious thing to do was to combine all power in one man again. Carlos could see no other solution and set forth to getting the electors to confirm his son as the future Holy Roman Emperor and not Ferdinand so that he then could abdicate and leave all his worldly possessions to the young Felipe. He was conscientious and devout, he was ready for the task at hand of ruling the largest empire the world had ever seen.

In order to get the support of the electors for his son Carlos had to spend vast sums of money, as was the custom, but this time that was not enough. There also were protestants in the empire now to be appeased and they wanted guarantees concerning the religious issues. Carlos, pragmatic as he was, knew that a HRE crown was worth it, so he decided to sign the Religious Peace at Augsburg granting religious freedom according to the principle of “Eius regio, cuius religio”. Felipe did not like that but he had to respect the wishes of his great father. He was crowned Holy Roman Emperor soon after his father abdicated and retired to his favourite monastery, where he still kept watch over stately matters.

Felipe II now ruled an Empire that included Spain, the Two Sicilies, the Low Countries, Austria, Bohemia, Hungary and the vast colonial riches of the New World. As he had to respect the Religious peace of Augsburg he set himself as goal to defend the Papacy. Rumours were abound that Republicans were looking to grab some land from the Holy Father so the territorial integrity was guaranteed.

Meanwhile, though he wasn’t allowed to upset the Peace, Felipe did not mind settling dynastical matters. The old claims on Gelre were to be pushed finally now by his loyal general the Duke of Alva. Victory was swift and decisive versus Oldenburg, occupiers of our former vassal of Gelre. Gelre was regained by Spain and the Oldenburgians were forced to convert to Catholicism. This was no breach of the peace as with the war Felipe at the time had control of the region and the people there clamoured for Catholicism, as they were devout followers of the true faith. The fact its allies had abandoned its ally showed the accepted validity of our claim. Or was it the fear for Alva? Anyway, wanting to push on, he was stopped by Felipe. For now anyway, from now on the Emperor was not to be taken lightly any more like was the case during the Ferdinand days. It has been shown any infraction would be punished severely and Felipe had the willing and able personnel to do it.

After his successful campaign, Alva returned to Brussels and accepted the willing surrender of Friesland to the Habsburg Empire. The Lowlands were now finally united, Felipe had completed the dream of his father. The rumblings and mutterings in the Empire didn’t grow quieter though, the age of Ferdinand had left many wounds open and internal conflict was rife. Felipe decided upon a conference where maters would be discussed. Getting all the parties to actually show up there and willingly participate was another matter ... A troublesome bunch they xurely were and they would cause many more headaches for the new Emperor.

Meanwhile however, other countries and kings had not sat still, many things happened that required the Emperor’s attention. France had annexed Lorraine and then had fallen to the protestant wave, and not just any protestant wave, but the most degenerated one, the Calvinist faith. Though the catholic faction was still strong in France so all hope was not lost. The abuse of good catholics by the new hugenot government sparked a civil war in which catholics fought for their survival against their new evil rulers. The Guise family carried the hope of catholics everywhere in Spain.

The Turkish menace under Sulëyman still was not resting as now it made claims on Venice that made war inevitable. The Venetian navy fought valiantly and sunk many Turkish ships but in the end succumbed to the Ottoman juggernaught and had to leave the island Cyprus for the Turks to take. Better news reached us from England where papal power was still firmly in place and where Mary I rose to the throne. As she was Felipe’s wife, the Emperor also became king-consort of England. After her death, Felipe married the new Queen of England, Elisabeth. Under Mary’s rule Scotland was invaded after having converted to the reformed faith and swiftly converted back to the true faith. England was a bastion for Catholicism and a good ally.

Internally the empire also was highly active. A new capital was chosen by Felipe to take care of the burgeoning administration of his ever expanding empire. Madrid was the lucky city and instantly got the largest fort in the world to protect it. Spain having the first large fort in Europe was testament to its glory. Furthermore there were also many missions that were successful in the New World as many people there joined the catholic flock. The last vestige of native resistance within the Spanish colonial realm was quelled when the Navajo were annexed. However, there also was bad news inside the realm of Felipe …

Alva, having been appointed the new regent of the unified Low Countries had been true to his name. He had installed a ruthlessly absolutist regime and acted harshly against the heretics there. While Felipe agreed with the basic ideas, it seemed Alva lacked some diplomatic acumen that was necessary for the Low Countries. These people had different customs than Iberians or Italians. Heavy revolts sprung up all over the Netherlands, especially in the more Calvinist north. Alva did what he does best, he smacked them down, time after time, however, with no end to the rebellion in sight, maybe it was time for an alternative solution? Felipe would think about that, for now Alva will take care of the matters.

The Dutch issue, the Imperial issues, the Turk and the French, … All these issues were put on the backburner as Catholicism was seriously under threat and this from a totally unexpected source! Felipe could not watch idly while catholics were killed in droves. Catholicism was on the brink … in Poland! And not under attack from the Turk as would be more suspected, but from the Russian Czar! Though himself a Christian, his treatment of catholics was far worse than any muslim or protestant before him. When the Russians once again raped their way across a weak Poland, an expeditionary force was sent from Austria in support. Sadly, Alva was too busy in Flanders to take command.

It was a gruelling war on the frozen plains of Lithuania that lasted many years. Many Russians were slaughtered and the Spanish forces performed admirably, the leading Russian general was captured amongst others, however the Polish forces, after being sacked and raped repeatedly by the Russians before for decades only had their instinct for survival left, which sadly is no match for an army that is far superior in numbers. They got swamped again and once again the Russians were out to exact a horrible peace on the Polish. From now on Spain would defend the Polish against these madmen, who were even worse than the Turk, those at least having certain standards.

 

[Fredrik82]

Ottoman Empire​

1550-1568​

Süleymân I Kanuni 1520 - 1566

Süleyman, The Magnificent
The greatest sultan of all times is dead, he left us with great grief in our hearts. No-one will ever achive this much as this magnificent sultan has done for 46 years. When Süleyman succeeded his father as sultan in September 1520, he took over a rather backward empire, 46 years later he left us with one of the greatest empires on earth. Allah considered his work in this life complete, and did therefore call for him for the after life. Every muslim that had the honor to serve this magnificent sultan should consider themself lucky, as every muslim borned after this date will envy us, that had the luxury to serve him. For fourty six days the Ottoman people will mourn its country farther, every day during this time we will pray for him, we know that Allah got plans for this great man and we'll look forward to the day we can serve him again in the after life.
But surely Allah didnt leave us without leadership, it is told that Selim II, the son of Süleyman, was to carry on his fathers magnificent work and also him blessed by Allah. The offspring of a prophet it is told.

Selim II

The war over the dominion of the Mediterranean
"Almighty Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, our most excellent spiritual leader and Khalîf, it has come to our knowledge that the Venetian Republic is trying to once again create a dominion in the Mediterranean. Reports indicates that a severe naval build up is ongoing in Veneto, hundreds of ships, sire, this is an immediate threat towards our glorious empire. We estimate that war will be declered within a short period of time. Our fleet stands ready for your orders, the fleet of Allah is unbeatable sire."
Admiral Muhammed Ghali, commander of the Turkish fleet

The war over Cyprus
The sultan had no desire to fight a major naval war at this time, hopefully the venetians would come to the same conclusion.
Unfortunately, the nervous and unprofessional venetian scout ships came to another conclusion. They considered a friendly turkish transport fleet, that was transporting soldiers from the African war back to the Persian front, a threat and attacked it outside cyprus. The Turkish transport fleet was attacked when trying to reach a Turkish port, right in the back. A declerarion of war was at the same time delviered by a venetian diplomat to the Sultan.

The Turkish fleet that was unfortunately split in half only days before the venetian decleration of war was finally united outside Cyprus after a few months. The Venetian fleet that attacked the Turkish transport fleet, that started the whole war, was blocking the port of Lebanon, in which the second half of the Turkish fleet was located. The other half was heading towards Thrace but was immediately order to unite with the main fleet outside Cyprus in order to end the Venetian blockade. First after a glorious battle the venetian blockade was broken, After that thirty thousand troops was landed on cyprus protected by the Turkish fleet and started to seige the well defended island of Cyprus. Experts estimated that Cyprus would fall after aproximitly 12 months of seiging and blockading of the island. Cannons was later added to the seige to hopefully speed up the proccess. In the middle of the seige the venetian fleet returned, this time even bigger then the Turkish fleet. The Turkish fleet that was currently blockading the island was taken by suprise and was forced to retreat back to Libanon, leaving our seige army valnurable for venetian counter attacks. In the meantime the shipyard in Thrace was ordered into full production, fifty three galleys was produced every third month. The efficently of this shipyard was decisive for the whole outcome of this war. With reinforcments arraiving every third month to the main fleet would make it possible to launch another attack on the venetian main fleet outside Cyprus. Fortunately our seige army managed to fight off the Venetian counter attack, but the losses in that battle was rather big, so they were unable to continue the seige. Reinforcments was required. But that was not posssible along as the Venetian fleet was once again blockading Libanon and thus prohibited reinforcments to be sent to Cyprus.

First after several months the Turkish main fleet was finally, thanks to the shipyard in thrace, in the same size as the venetian fleet. Admiral Aulouch Ali was now the new commander of the Turkish mainfleet. It was now decisive to quickly beat the Venetian fleet in order to reinforce our seige army on Cyprus before Venice was able to launch further counter attacks, the seige army was getting rather weak and it is unlikely that they would manage to fight off another counter attack. Admiral Ali won a great naval battle outside Cyprus, reinforcments to cyprus was now sent and it would only take days until the defence of cyprus waved a white flag, their hope was gone when the Venetian fleet was beaten. Cyprus was finally taken after almost two years of seiging. In the sametime a transport fleet was sent to Crete to land a new seige army, this was possible since the Venetian fleet was chased by the Turkish main fleet heading towards crete.

With the Venetian fleet also beaten outside Crete and later retreated to Corfu, a final landing party existing of cannons was landed on crete. The number of cannons was massive, over one hundred cannons was in the end firing towards the fortress in Crete. It was told that not a house nor any walls was standing after the surrender, everything was leveled out with the ground, precisly as Süleyman prefered to do.

After the capture of Crete preperations was made for another seige of Corfu, the last Venetian island, and outpost, in the Mediterranean. But it was later clear that the Venetians would make a final blow in order to reapture Crete. But the great Admiral Aulouch Ali, sucessfuly managed to outmanouver the venetian fleet and once again win a glorious battle.
With the fleet setting sail towards Corfu, a venetian diplomat entered sutlans palace in thrace with a letter from the Doge himself, unconditional surrender the Sultan could read on the top of the letter. With a big smile on his face the Sultan said, "Cyprus, give us Cyprus now."

 

[unmerged(7276)]

Bavaria - The stuggle continues
In the year of our lord 1557 things were becomming tense in the empire. Denmark was under preasure to release the state of bremen from bondage and bavaria was giving full support to this demmand. Bremen had been converted back to the true faith some years back but was now under protestant influance once again. Eventually denmark gave in to imperial demmands. A catholic uprising in bremen sezed the capitol on the news that bavarian forces were gathering outside the city. Our troops were greeted with mixed reactions as they entered the capitol.

Angered by this the protesant nations of the north formed a new and disturbing alliance. Brandenburg, sweden and denmark formed a so called - defencive alliance. Some years later brandenburg declared war on protestant saxony in order to seize control of the dutchy of hessen. Bavarian hawks demmanded that this be prevented depite our hostile relations with the saxons. War was declared in some haste and a bloody conflict began. To our horror the powers of denmark and sweden joined the war and the tide soon turned for the worse. Pitched battles were being lost and so the tactics changed to a war of attrition. Saxony was overun however we managed to defend our homeland well. The cold blooded protestants faired poorly in the cold winters in bavaria!

The situation is now hopless. We drop our demmands to white peace saxony. Protestant demmands for our influance in bremen and hanover though will not be accepted.

We offer the following peace.

hessen vassal to brand
100 ducats to brand
100 ducats to denmark and sweden.
our relations have now changed to

spain - allied
poland - friendly
sweden - hostile
denmark - hostile
brandenburg - hostile
OE - hotile
russia- cordial
france - cordial
england - friendly
venice - friendly
saxony - allied

Our future policy will be to soften our stance on the north. We will want the return of wurzburg as our vassal and also want our claim on koln to be rekognised.

 

[unmerged(11031)]

A Tale of Blood and Woe

Somewhere on the plains of Eastern Poland-Lithuania

The Years of fighting had been very, very hard on the new formed Kingdom of Poland-Lithuania. The Mad Russian Tsar Ivan had unleashed his forces on the new born state, not once but twice and had soaked the soil in Blood and tears as the Russian Hordes had burnt anything that they could find, and what they could not burn down they destroyed. The people who had not fled to the relative security of Western Poland, the old, the very young and the women, had been slaughtered and the women raped and the Russian scum had caused such damage that the areas may never recover till Christ himself returns. Many, many times had the Polish-Lithuanian troops, driven by the scenes they saw when they marched in Eastern Poland-Lithuania fought stunning victories over the superior numbers of the Russians, but each life lost on the side of Good was a loss that could not be replaced, where as the Russians seemed to have no end to their numbers, for every one slain, ten more took his place. In the end, sheer weight of numbers had defeated the Poles and they had been forced to ceede Krementjug, Chernigov and Mozy to the madman in Moscow.

Zygmunt stood in his command tent, the bitter wind rustling through the tent, pouring over a map of Eastern Poland-Lithuania, drawn up by skilled Lithuanian cartographers during better times. The loss of so much territory was a great blow for him, for he feared what the future might bring now that the land seemed to be forever lost to him and his heirs. And his Heirs was a cause of concern for him. His attempts to centralise the nation had gone well, but not as well as he had liked, Much power still resided in local magnates and his sons, were not as stong as he was, if he did not do more, then the hard fought powers he has wrestled from the magnates would be lost. And Zygmunt was getting old, he felt it in his bones. There was only a limited time left to him to continue his policies, if only God would grant him enough time to do so. All he needed was a little more time and the reforms he had put in place could never be undone.

Turning to another map, Zygmunt pondered what he should do next. Opinions in the court were divided. With the rise of the Habsburg Empire and the aid given by the Emperor in the Polish war 'What a coup that had been, to bring in the Habsburgs. Their Armies had done an amazing job in slowing down Russia, even if we did lose in the end' thought Zygmunt the chances of expansion in the west was just not possible and Zygmunt had no desire to, the Habsburgs could well be useful again. There was though reports from the friendly court of Bavaria that aid was needed, and seeing how Catholicism was on the wane, their might be a chance to send forces there, if nothign else, to learn and prepare for the next Russian invasion. The South was closed to him, The Turks were an even deadlier force then the Russians, only a madman would declare war on them and a madman Zygmunt was not. Therefore all Poland-Lithuania could do for now was build up their strength and prepare for any openings.

 

[unmerged(10146)]

Venice 1550-1668


Against Turkish Control of Mediterranean​

After Spanish defeat in Algiers Ottoman Empire under mighty Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent was left practically ruling the Mediterranean, especially it's eastern half. Needless to say, all the Venetian possessions and interests there were seriously threatened, with Cyprus being specifically claimed by Turks.

Our allies Pope and Genoa were in no position to help directly, Spain has just been defeated and had a truce with Turks, and our ally in Holy League Portugal was to send his armies against heathens in Africa. Venice was alone in this, backed up only with Spanish generous loans that were to ensure non-stop operation of the Arsenale, the greatest shipyard in the world.

There were no indications when Turks could attack. On the other hand, Venice was ready as she could be, if we were to wait for an attack: the navy was of the maximal size we could support. So, the alternative was not to wait Turks to attack, but we to pick the moment and hit them first, hoping our navy of the size of 2/3 the Turkish one will succeed in hurting them. While the Arsenale works day and night… The goal was to defeat Turkish navy and liberate Rhodes from Turks.

When Admiral Veniero, the commander of the Venetian navy consisting of 220 galleys, spotted that the Turks have split their navy in half's, war was declared and for over a year Venice held the initiative. And than the defeat came most unexpectedly, in April 1551. Despite the better morale and considerable lower losses on our side, the Turks were in the end victorious and soon after an army of 20.000 man was sieging our Cyprus fort.

Nothing was lost, though! The liberating army of 35.000 man was ready in Venice and sailed towards Cyprus with the fresh contingent of 50 galleys. In January 1552 the seas around Cyprus were once again in our hands, Turkish navy blockaded and our armies ready to land and fight the aggressor. In the same time Venetian scouts were patrolling the seas of Eastern Mediterranean, to make sure Turks would not attempt to land on other islands.

After two heavy battles Turkish siege of the Famagusta was lifted and only a scattered remains of the Turkish army remained on the island. Surelly, we would win eventually, but than the disaster happened: following all the Turkish fleets proved too heavy a task, especially since they constructed a special transport fleet, with only warships and transports, that was faster than Venetian galleys. The news were alarming: Turks have landed on Crete.

The next two years saw more naval battles, but now we had to try liberating both Crete and Cyprus. With some bad luck Turks won an important victory and succeeded in landing more troops on Cyprus and continued chasing our navy west.

All the Venetian naval forces in Europe united once again in Rhodes, 30.000 man was boarded on the ships in what was clearly to be the last attempt to turn the tide: attack on Turkish navy off Crete and lift of siege of Crete. Sadly, it was not to be. The navy met significantly larger Turkish one and was defeated. Soon after Crete fell and a diplomat was send to negotiate peace. Cyprus was ceded to Ottoman Empire. Turks are now definitely for over a decade firmly controlling the Eastern Mediterranean. Our initial goal, taking control of Rhodes, was also a failure, and naval losses were rather huge:
- Venice: 2 warships, 170 galleys (worth about 1300 d, still paying off 1000 d of loans and inflation has increased by 6,5% in 18 years )
- Ottomans: 1 warship, 217 galleys (worth about 2200 d)

Venetian Colonisation​

The death of Dennis Kvist on the shores of a rich province populated with friendly natives left a question to be ansvered: was this just one more isolated island, was Venetian Pacific only a series of such islands, like Falklands, Tierra del Fuego, Tahiti and Fiji? The new expedition was financed, with already initial funds of huge 2.000 d later being exceeded to total of 2.650 d.
The war against Turks did slow down the exploration, since Estonian captain K. Haekie was at several occasions left without direct instructions where to continue his task, only with the general directions:

• Check what lies behind Terra Kvista.
• Chronicles by Marco Polo, 3 centuries old, indicate somewhere along the coast of Pacific there is mighty and rich China, a nation that must be found and contacts established with the court, and more important with their merchants.

With some difficulties and some luck with entrepreneurial lieutenants [conquistadors] in his expedition, captain Haekie achieved both tasks, and some more. Thanks to his work, Tierra Kvista was named Continente Kvisto, as apparently it indeed was an entire continent, now claimed by the Serenissima Pacific Trading Company:

Sailing further north-west, Heakie discovered a large archipelago of islands, that were later named Heakie Islands, to his honor, and finally in the end of his journey, in the year 1660, there was famous China, a land of riches and resourced beyond imagination. In the years that followed Venetian merchants seized the complete domination over the Chinese trade and this is now an important source of Venetian overall income.

On the other side of the world, in Atlantic, the first established Venetian colonies were slowly developing. There were now two cities there, on Bermuda Island and port of Stadacone – the entrance to Venetian Canada, which is soon to be an important colony, after the submission of Huron natives currently in process, is completed.

England and Denmark, who bought some of the former Venetian trading companies are competing for the coast and in the north there is also France. Spain is controlling the most of inland North America

Economy, Technology and Trade​

Venetian economy and particularly trade was seriously hurt by the war against Ottoman Empire, because many merchant vessels were equipped with arms and included in the admiral Veniero’s fleet, leaving thus regular merchant convoys less than regular size. But after the defeat against Turks and loss of Cyprus, the Serenissima turned more than ever to trade, and not just any trade, but the lucrative trade with Far East, India and above all China. Venice is definitely the leading trading power.

Venice, as part of Italy, where with Renaissance art and science were flourishing, and Venice as merchant power with contacts with all the oldest civilisation in the world was also the leading country in land, naval and trading technologies. But how long? Habsburg Empire is still the leading country in technology research speed. It could look incredible, but what else to expect after Spain-Austria merger created an empire twice as large as Ottoman, the second largest in the world . And by the way, with those two monsters Venice is encircled.

Read the rest of the economy and technology data in History of Wealth, Income, Technology Speed and Technology Multiplier by Countries

 

[K'shar]

1567, Anhalt Central Germania

"Glittering lines, harsh angles, and high helms, so have the noble knights of the Marche looked in my dreams and so do they today, standing proud but worn on the broken fields of Saxony. Six and half years i've been here, killing, always killing. I've hewed 200 Bavarian throats since my second child was born and 300 saxon's to boot. How matters came to this I pretend not to understand, my liege the Margrave of Brandenburg, First Elector of the Empire, and Grandmaster of the German order of fleeing Teutonic knights, has ordained that I shall kill fellow German's and so I shall.

I remember caution in 1561, on the night the decree to invade Saxony came in. Yes, our former allies had fallen on hard times and threatened to plunge the Empire into internal wars, not to speak of the sordid practices said to be undertaken in the castles of the Saxon Princes ... yet still, this attack on one of the oldest and greatest houses of the Empire did not sit well with me. Little did I have to worry though, Quisling my horse, edged on by the tension of the men around me all but flung the 3&4 Regiments of Magdeburg into battle. Victory was ours while thrice our number of enemy men fled into the hills of Hessen. Saxony was rapidly besieged and it appeared the conflict could be settled in under a year. Then on rounding the right flank of a Hessian battery Quisling fell and I felt the lord take me into his arms as darkness enveloped me.

Little did I know my lord Elector still had use for me, and the ever able and most endearing Swedish nurses on loan from our Northern friends coaxed this old warhorse back to life. However, this was not the world I left behind, the lines were now in far Pommern on the Baltic sea and enemy troops besieged both Magdeburg and Berlin. For 2 months I scarcely left my bed while ever worsening news reached me. Apparently in our hour of triumph, Bavarian troops had attacked without provocation or cause and shattered our supply trains in Saxony. With 45,000 Saxon-Hessian forces pouring out of Hessen and several thousand Bavarians attempting to envelope us from the south a full retreat had been issued by Lt Gen. Von Frick my most able assistant. 1/2 of our army had been extricated but the torrent of Bavarians pouring into Brandenburg forced us as if by a flood into the marshes of Pommern.

Finally a week later I was able to return to my men, the front, my life. A new charger was presented to me ... a gift from the King of Danes a most dear friend being the father of my lovely wife. Strong and sturdy this northern beast was and it bore my weakened frame through many battles from the Citadel of Berlin to the forested hills Bavarian Alps and beer halls of Munich.

Now I go to rest for my doctors say that my leg and back remain in a rather gelatinous state, a state that they wish not to upset again. If time allows I shall finish this wh ...."

- records of General Herr Joachim Von Castrilli, General of the 2nd Army of the Margravate.

to be continued ....

 

[unmerged(18425)]

FRANCE 1535 - 1568​

François I

​

The republic of Genoa started the year 1535 with a declaration of war on Milan, a French vassal. François I immediately send his soldiers and marine out to defeat Genoa. After a full year of fighting and on the brink of a French victory, Austria declared war on France, claiming they wanted to defy the French claims on Lorraine. Knowing full well that the Austians used this only as an excuse to expand in Italy, François' rage was ice cold and he ordered to sign an immediate peace with Genoa, to match this new agression from the east.

The war raged for years, but France had learned from the experiences of the past French-Austrian war and ultimately secured Victory. A final Austrian offensive was halted in the mountains of Helvetia and Austria was forced to accept the French claims on Lorraine.
15 years later King Henri II annexed Lorraine and from then on it was definately a national French province.

Emboldended by these magnificant victories François decided to claim Calais from once and all too. It was time the last remainders of the hundred-years war were removed and with pleasure he send an offer to buy Calais from England, for a very low price.
England, in the progress of recovering from her long war with Denmark, accepted the French offer and Calais was added to the French crown.

François died as a content man in 1547 and passed the torch to his son Henri II.
Still, his legacy is a mixed one. He achieved great cultural feats, but they came at the expense of France's economic well being. His money printing in order to finance his wars and colonizing projects, became famous.

Henri II

​

Henri II, a modest man with a strong dislike for war, tried to reform the French economy and ordered the construction of three refineries. Under his reign, French wine started to become a famous export product. Under his reign, the French learned what peace was and under his reign France started to build a large navy, ready to rival that of other maritime powers. The great dock of Provence produced the one galley after the other and Henri personally promoted some admirals.

However, Henri's reign had also a shadowside. He persecutiated the protestant Huguenots harshly. Henri severely punished them, burning them alive or cutting out their tongues for speaking their Protestant beliefs. Even someone suspected of being a Huguenot was imprisoned for life.
Some claim that Henri's obsession with the Huguonots prevented France from acting properly when Carlos decided that his young Felipe II should inherit the whole Empire.
France now had to face an everlasting threat by the Habsburg Empire from near all it's borders.

Henry II was an avid hunter and participant in jousting tournaments. On July 1, 1559, during a match to celebrate the marriage of his daughter Elizabeth, King Henry's eye was pierced by a sliver that penetrated the brain, from the shattered lance of Gabriel Montgomery, captain of the King's Scottish Guard. He suffered terribly, and, despite the efforts of royal surgeon Ambroise Paré, passed away on July 10, 1559 and was buried in a cadaver tomb in Saint Denis Basilica, along with his forebearers.

Nostradamus predicted his death:

[i]
The young lion will overcome the older one,

on the field of combat in single battle,

He will pierce his eyes through a golden cage,

Two wounds made one, then he dies a cruel death.
[/i]

Henri II was succeeded by his son, François II. For the next years following Henri II's death, France was filled with turbulence as his sons and other claimants to the French crown fought for power.

François II​

François II was the son of Henri II and the powerful Catherine de Medici. He was married with Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland and his wife was raised in the Royal Court till 1558, when the 14-year-old François II married her. This union would give François the throne of Scotland and a strenghtened claim to the throne of England.

A year after his marriage, François II was crowned king when his father Henri II died. His mother, Catherine de Medici was appointed as regent, but veiled tongues whispered that the uncles of Mary Stuart, François de Guise and Charles de Guise were the ones to hold the power of France.

Sadly enough, François II passed away very soon, as a sick child, in 1560. An ear infection caused an abscess in his brain.
His brother, Charles IX, succeeded him.

Charles IX​

Charles, also a son of Henri II and of Catherine de Medici, inherited the throne and was crowned King of France in 1561. He was greatly under the influence by his powerful and ambitious mother, Catherine, but also by the infamous uncles of Mary, de Guises.

For a long time Charles did not act and oversaw the massacre of thousands of Huguenots. He did not oppose De Guises for a long time, nor his dark mother, but when they were about to kill hundreds of innocents at Bartholomew's Day at a wedding, Charles IX reacted with a swiftness few would think he was capable of.
By instructions of the king, Catherine de Medici was imprisoned, but the powerful De Guises escapted their faith.
Charles IX finally threw away his mask and converted himself openly to the reformed faith!

No longer would the Huguenots be oppressed in France. A new era was about to begin, with a powerful king ready to oppose the evergroing influence of the catholics in Europe.

Both Felipe II and Pope Gergory XIII declared themselves very unpleased with this outcome, which was naturally viewed with joy by their religious opponents in Europe. In France, it solidified catholic opposition to the crown.

England, the Habsburg Empire, the Holy Roman Empire, Poland and even the new state of the Netherlands were all catholic, though often with an important protestant minority. France was a ray of light in these dark times and Charles himself an image of the splendour of the Kings of France in glory undimmed!

France, under her new reformed King was most ready for the challenges the next decade would bring. And challenges it are. Felipe II claims Béarn, the Holy Roman Empire is in chaos, Helvetia is about to devy the reformed faith and most important of all: France is struggling in a religious civil war, that will continue for a long time.

 

[kurtbrian]

The first war of religion in the America’s

by Lord Ham, famous scholar​

The first true war of religion between the Catholics and Protestants in the new world didn’t start until the 16th of September 1576, however opening moves of the war as far as the English was concerned, was as deal struck with the King of Denmark. England swapped the colony of Nova Scotia for Penobscott, preventing its colonial holdings in North America being torn in two by a danish colony wedged inbetween. For awhile it looked like England would have to go war to get Penobscott, which had earlier been a bustling English colony, but natives had burned it down, and the Danish had managed to build a small colony on the remains of the English one. When the Queen of England had her chancellor Kurt, Lord of Brian approach the Danish king on the matter, it turned out to be it wasn’t only the monarchs of Denmark and England that had an interest in Penobscott. Suddenly the small colonial issue involved such powers as France, Sweden and Spain.

Queen Elizabeth wisely chose to strike a deal with Denmark exchanging the poorer colony of Nova Scotia for Penobscott to prevent a full-scale war between most of the rulers of Europe. However, during the 1570’s Danish missionaries had been working hard to convert the former English subjects from the catholic faith, the English people of Nova Scotia, once proud colonists of England was treated like 2nd rank citizens by the new Danish rulers.

Queen Elizabeth an almost fanatic catholic was furious of the conversion attempts by the new Danish administration in Nova Scotia, she had the English colonial army expanded and as earlier mentioned war was declared on Denmark on the 16th of September 1576. There was great concern in the English court that the Calvinists in France would interfere on behalf of Denmark, it was actually widely accepted as fact, and so the surprise was great when no French help was forthcoming.

English troops quickly seized Nova Scotia and awaited the response by the Danish army.
The English navy was sent off towards the North Sea to look for their Danish counterpart to prevent it to ship troops to the colonies. The navies clashed but the Danish navy managed to escape and make its way across the Atlantic ocean, where they disembarked troops began a counterattack. Denmark wasn’t alone in the war although it would probably have been better off with its ally Sweden joining in on the war. The Swedish troops did nothing during the entire course of the war except set up camps in far off Danish colonies, using up the supplies and holding exercises and drinking contests, they contributed nothing to the war effort against England.

After some fighting back and forth in Canada, a peace treaty was signed where Denmark seeded Nova Scotia to England. The queen’s goal of the war had been fulfilled and the English navy had proved to be a capable fighting force.

 

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All's quiet on the Eastern front Well, it makes a change, don't you think?

The Union of Poland and Lithuania. after some Russian teething problems, had finally settled down into a period of prosperity and growth for the nation. Zygmunt's grand reforms continued as the magnates were slowly being brought to heel, but it was a torturously slow process, as to move directly against them would have brought the nation into a civil war, the likes of which the nation could never recover from, as the Russian bear loomed on the border, growing ever more powerful with each conflict, humbling her foes one by one. Indeed the super power that was the Ottoman Empire had been defeated by the Russian Bear, in not one, but two wars.

Indeed the subject of Russia was always discussed in the halls of the Wise in Krakow, after the decision had been made to keep the Capital there. After all there was no real reason to move and the position of Krakow was a good deal safer then some other possible sites. While the Russians did seem to be sated on the Lithuanian lands they had taken, there was no telling just what they planned on doing. After all, There had been no real reason to unleash hell on Lithuania in the first place, but they had done so anyway. Therefore a policy of increased fortification along the Russian front was begun, while also building a dedicated force to deal with Russian invasions. This Force though would have a great influence on Poland-Lithuania's future in ways no one could imagine...

Along with the increase in the Internal power of the state, The Diplomatic corp went into overdrive, looking to increase Poland-Lithuania's standing on the world stage. The Spanish aid was something that had come unlooked for and it was defintely felt that some actual cast iron guarrentees were needed for any future conflicts, other then to just wait and see what the International Catholic community would do.

 

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Venice 1568-1586


The Italian Republican League Crashed in Flames ​

The Doges of Venice talked about the Italian policy with The Emperor in many occasions, but unlike with the King of France, the second power to count with in Italy, with The Emperor they never succeeded in finding common language: the final agreement was never stuck. This was the case also with the latest talks, when as a concession to acknowledge Venetian rights on Emilia The Emperor demanded Milan. Well, Milan was part of Genoa, and Genoa was a member of Italian Republican League, so this was not acceptable.

Well, apparently Habsburg Empire was not particularly interested in an agreement with Venice regarding Italy. The Emperor preferred direct control over letting his ally Venice take task to rule Northern Italy on behalf of the Holy Roman Empire. On the 26th of May 1572 Habsburg Empire declared war upon Genoa, not concerned about the fact that this act has put her in the state of war against the Pope, the Knights and the Republic of Tuscany as well. Venice for the time being stayed out of the war, assessing the situation and thinking about the earlier Emperor’s offer to take Emilia for Milan.

However, after a year of pillaging and burning 150.000 Habsburg soldiers under Alba brought to Italy it was clear Habsburg goals were a lot bigger than Milan (as if one of the richest provinces in the world was not enough): Spain intended to put an end to Italian Republican League by forcefully vassalising the Republic of Genoa, the formal leader of the League! Naturally, this was completely unacceptable for Venice, who put a considerable effort and financial assets into this alliance. Venice started preparations for war, however hopeless it seemed: some lines just can’t be crossed, especially not between allegedly friendly and even partly allied nations!

40.000 soldiers were collected under the best Venetian general, siege expert Bragadin, while admiral Barbarigo was appointed commander of 250 Venetian galleys. They bravely sailed towards Ligurian Sea to meet 150.000 Habsburg soldiers under Alba and 500 Spanish ships under Bazan: Venice was severely outnumbered and facing the best leaders in the world, but the Emperor left us no choice with his aggression on Genoa and moreover on our vassal Tuscany.

On 21st of May 1575 Venice entered a Military Alliance with Genoa, Tuscany, Papal States and Knights of St. John and thus also found herself at war against Habsburgs. If the alliance could be preserved, perhaps it could be rearranged into Republican League again. Sadly, for Genoa it seemed too late, because before Venetian forces arrived Habsburgs already controlled Milan and Liguria.
But perhaps Tuscany could be protected… General Bragadin stopped Alba’s assault on Florence, defeated him in Tuscany and chased to Emilia. There also Venetian army was victorious and the siege of Popes Emilia, already controlled by Habsburgs began.
During that time Venetian navy was guarding Corsica, the last Genoan province. But as soon as huge Spanish navy arrived, it was clear all hopes for Genoa were lost. Nevertheless, Venetian sailors fought bravely against twice as strong enemy and retreated to Livorno only after 100 galleys were lost.

In the meantime Baragadin’s siege of Emilia for Pope was lost and on 10th of August 1575 Habsburgs finished with what they called “protection of the Pope”: they annexed Emilia and Marche. But apparently they miscalculated themselves a bit: the whole world was outraged. Here are a few comments:
Slargosus Wasa (Sweden): "Seizing papal property?"
Hive (Portugal): "Yeah, it's most certainly not nice behavior."
String (Denmark): “Apparently they care little for even Catholics. Who are you going to fool with that you poor sod Felipe? Protect this, protect that? Afterall all you want is more gold and glory for your personal empire!”
Cheecho (Bavaria): “Could the emperor make a statement on his actions, we are confused."
FAL (France): “Speak up Emperor!"

All the Emperor’s best diplomats from a well known “Upper Hand” school could think of was:
BiB (Spain): “Venice wanted to take this provs, I plan to uphold the papacy."

More outraged comments from the whole Europe followed:
Hive (Portugal): “Even Portugal is not pleased with this."
Lord of Brian (England): “Well Fillips wife trusts in her husbands good judgment and general wise’ness, but this seems a bit excessive even to a loving wife."
The most clear answer came from the Netherlands: they cancelled the Vassalization she had with Habsburg Empire.

However, until December 1575 it was clear the war against Habsburg Empire was lost and Venice accepted peace with Habsburgs. The seriousness od the defeat is probably the best described by honorable Elector Prinz K'shar of Brandenburg: “The Republican League has crashed in flames." And indeed, this was completely accurate, although the technicalities lasted one more year, with Tuscany paying 85 d to Habsburg Empire in February 1576 and finally in August 1576 Genoa accepting totally humiliating peace: her treasury emptied (175 d paid in indemnities), Lombardia ceded to Habsburgs, Genoa became Habsburg vassal, formally disbanded Republican League and even broke Royal marriage with Venice.

Venice was defeated and for the second time had to abandon her plans for expansion in northern Italy. Clearly, it was time for modesty. All that could be done was diplomatic annexation of Dutchy of Mantua in 1581 and diplomacy in Europe, like for example Royal Marriage with Poland in 1583.

Here is how Italy looks like in 1586, after the Emperor’s “rearrangements”:

• Republic of Vencie is allied to Republic of Tuscany
• Lombardia is Habsburg province and Genoa is Habsburg vassal; but clearly, it was absolutely needed, as can be seen in the smaller map, without Genoa the hugest empire in the world would just collapse
• But the biggest irony is Habsburg “protection of Pope” through occupation of Emilia and Marche. At least Habsburgs can no longer hide under that pretence!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Venetian Colonisation and Trade​
  
  Despite serious troubles in Italy, Venetian colonial expansion was advancing very well. As for trade, The Serenissima was the undisputed world leader, with two new trading companies established.
  
  The Pacific Trading Company was relocated from Tahiti to two separated centers: Fiji islands in 1573 and Falklands islands in 1574. Continente Kvisto was firmly Venetian after five Portuguese trading posts were bought, and in the north more gold was found.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  After Huron natives were incorporated and trading post of Nueltin bought from France, Venetian Canada became a nice rounded colony. It’s importance was crowned a year after the final reorganization of Pacific Trading Company: The Serenissima has granted Canada her own Trading Company in 1575. In just three years three new centers of trade were formed.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Trade was flourishing as the result of foundation of more independent trading companies, because more and more merchants were willing to travel in the farthest parts of the world to earn fortunes for living. Upon the model of Pacific and Canadian companies, The Serenissima was looking for a place for another one. Haekie Islands seemed as a perfect spot, a bit far away from Fiji islands, but the competition of the Chinese centres of trade would most likely prove too strong, so it was decided to instead enter China directly. In 1579 Venice declared war upon China and after year and a half Shanghai was the centre of Chinese Trading Company.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Economy and Technology​
  
  Although temporary hurt by the war against Habsburg Empire, Venetian economy and particularly trade was doing satisfactory. Although after the end of the Ottoman current large war against Russia things will surely change, Venice was currently in income second only to Habsburg Empire. The main source of Venetian wealth was naturally trade: Venice is definitely the leading trading power, with basically the highest share in almost all centres of trade in the world .
  
  
  
  
  
  
  As for technological development, Venice succeeded in keeping an edge in only trade and naval technology. Land technology is equal to all the main competitors and infrastructure is lagging behind Habsburg one. Because of it’s incredible size, Habsburg Empire is still the leading country in technology research speed.
  
  
  
  
  
  Read the rest of the economy and technology data in History of Wealth, Income, Technology Speed and Technology Multiplier by Countries

 

[kurtbrian]

Report on colonial expansion, 1586

To her most catholic majesty Elisabeth of England​

After the consolidation of the English holdings in North America I humbly feel it is time to look for other areas of the world for expansion possibilities. This notion is based upon the fact that the English currently has nowhere to expand in North America. To the north we border the Italians and to the south and west our close ally of Spain has set up shop.

According to our spies located throughout the world as well as reports from our explorers suggest that the most dynamic area these years is Southeast of Asia, including India and China. Our colonial competitors already hold most of the trade centres with few still under control of the local barbarians. It is imperative for the continued expansion that England establishes a base of operation in that area and tries to get more control with the trade goods flowing through the area. The colony council consisting of Admiral Drake, General Raleigh, Admiral Frobisher and I all agree on this, and it is our hope that the majesty authorizes this change in colonial policy.

Your most loyal
Edmund Schwarzennatter

 

[Slargos]

The Danish Question​

The 1570s and 1580s saw many wars in which Denmark and Sweden cooperated against common adversaries, internal disputes notwithstanding. The close cooperation between the Scandinavian countries' armed forces and combined campaigns against the papist threat created many ties between the noble officers. The fact that many noble families own estates in both countries has also added to the current warm relations between the two nations. An understanding that was almost destroyed entirely during the fateful almost decade-long war of 1524-1535 against flourishes when the two countries meet on equal terms in partnership.

In 1587, King Erik, a man greatly taken up with matters of trade and economy, orders the creation of the swedish Riksbank, or "Riksens Ständers Bank". A young, brilliant accountant by the name of Slargesson deveops a plan for a national system of banknotes to replace the cumbersome and inefficient use of metal coin. 1589 sees the joining of the Danish economy into this common currency union. Feelers go out to Brandenburg to join the burgeoning trade and currency union, but as of 1592, no official agreements have been made.

The German Wars​

NEATO saw activation several times after its conception, and in 1583, in the middle of another Bavarian assault on Brandenburg, it was activated yet another time.
Swedish envoys to Bavaria with a message of peace and understanding were refused admission to the court and demands to halt hostilities and negotiate peace were rebuffed with scorn and maligning replies.
Thus, the Army was shipped yet again to Germany, where it was met with flowers and cheering from the local devout lutherans. There was also punch and pie.

This time, however, the decision was made to restrict Banér's area of operations to Brandenburg itself, and the Swedish army was detailed the defense of Berlin. A wise move, because later the same year, hordes of smelly cossack marauders spilled across the polish border. A series of battles ended with an embarrassed polish withdrawal and elated spirits in the Swedish camps. The ease with which the polish rabble was dispatched caused some in the Swedish general staff to further voice the demand to liberate lutheran Memel from its papist oppressors.

 

[BiB]

1568-1580: The Habsburg Empire approaching its zenith

The war with Russia in defence of Poland had dragged on long enough by now. Negotiators sat together to forge a long term peace agreement. It was decided that the Dvina and Dniepr river would become the border between Poland and Russia. Habsburg intervention had made made xure that Poland would live on and had a chance again to prosper. The Poles were happy with the established peace and decided to firmly keep their capital in Krakow, close to the Austrian heartlands of our Empire. A more interventionist role for Poland in Imperial matters xurely was an option for the future. Especially now that the Eastern route had been pretty closed off and now that the Scandinavian protestants looked more and more to interfere. A good catholic ally could be useful, an alliance with Bavaria was in the making.

Meanwhile internal matters still needed attending to in our realm. The Dutch were still openly defying its rightful ruler and many peasants complained about their plight in Spain, however there also was good news. The economy was booming, The Empire enjoyed its first exceptional year in ages and new gold veins were struck in the New World. It was decided that the peasants would enjoy more freedoms, as to increase our income, decrease the unrest and have more eager soldiers whereas there would be no leeway granted to the Dutch, Alva’s repressive policy was fully supported. The revolts continued but gradually terrain was won. Flanders by now had converted to the true faith.

On the international scene the fight for catholicism continued. Our pious wife, Elizabeth of England subjugated the heretic Scots while money was sent to France to help out the Guise family in their push to gain control of France for Catholicism in their civil war. With the last heathens in the New World having been converted things were looking up for the true faith. When the pope then openly endorsed a reformation of the catholic church to fight the protestant menace. The Counterreformation Alva had wanted had finally materialized!

However Alva was first recalled by Felipe from the Low Countries for another reason, a matter of grave geo-strategical importance. With Felipe ruling both Spain and Austria and Venice not to be overly trustworthy anymore, he wanted a safer road between the two parts of his empire, one that didn’t include having to sail around Italy, through Venetian waters. A passage way through Genoa, Milano and Tirol to Wien would be preferable. As Genoa had forcibly annexed Milano, a core province of Felipe’s empire, they had only brought this on themselves. Alva was to set out and bring victory to Felipe. He was replaced in the Lowlands as governor by an upcoming commander, Alexander Farnese, the Duke of Parma, half-nephew of Felipe.

Genoa however was part of the so called Republican League, which really was just a cover up for Venetian ambitions to control vast lands in Italy and strip the Pope of his worldly possessions. Whereas in the beginning of the 16th century such ambitions had been met still by a united front in the League of Cambrai, Felipe now was left on his own to deal with this new wave of expansionism. Word reached Felipe that Venice was only eager to sell out its “allies”, once again their greed got the best of them. No wonder Felipe had lost trust in Venice as an ally long before already.

War was declared on Genoa. The pope forced into a scheme of allegiances by the Venetian merchants did what they had to do and honoured the call for help of Genoa. Though it put him at war with us we accepted that he was bound by honour to do so. We would not push any claims against them. Venice as expected dishonoured the call for help from their allies and made preparations to make true on their greed in Italy. However, we would not stand for their carving up of the Holy Father and made it clear that we wouldn’t. The pope saw the danger that Venice was and pleaded with Spain for aid and assistance. We answered the call and the provinces Venice coveted were to be protected by Spain. Venice’s ploy was foiled and they were left with no option but to try and save their face in front of their “allies”. They declared war upon Spain.

Led by the famous siege expert Bragadin, Venetian armies attacked the Spanish armies led by Alva. Milano and Genoa had already fallen to him and it was only a matter of time before he would emerge totally victorious. The Venetian army was well trained and equipped but lacked the zeal and experience of the Spanish troops. Alva routed Bragadin several times while Bazan sank a large part of the Venetian Mediterranean fleet. Realising it had been defeated, Vencie sued for peace and Spain graciously accepted a white peace both with Venice and their vassal, Tuscany, instead of pushing further and annexing Tuscany. We chose not to exact further punishment as a sign of goodwill to the Venetians. Only the future will tell whether the Venetians were worth that effort …

With the Venetians out of the way, Alva finished the war with Genoa and signed the peace treaty that ceded Milano to the Habsburg Empire and made Genoa a vassal. A free passageway between both parts of the Empire had now been secured, Felipe was most pleased. With the Venetian threat subdued, the papal lands that were put under the protection of the Spanish armies were returned to the Holy Father. The manufactory in Milano sadly burned down in a firestorm not soon after.

Back home the new reformed catholic church had firmly taken root in the Empire and plans were now being made to bring the fight to the heretics and heathens. Alva was dispensed to Hungary to prepare an invasion of the Ottoman Empire to conquer the lands of Magyar from the Turk. However before that would take place Farnese was summoned to Spain to prepare an invasion of France to once and for all make good on Spanish claims on Béarn, as King of Navarra. Farnese had built a reputation as an extremely skilled commander during his governorship and fight with the Dutch rebels as he had continued the hardline policy in the Low Countries Alva had initiated.

Farnese’s Flemish Army invaded from the north while he himself led the Spanish forces into Béarn. French resistance focused against the Flemish army while putting up very little resistance in the south. Though that might have more to do with the fact Farnese just was no match for any French commander. He brushed all aside before him, the Flemish army had less skilled leadership. Still, very quickly it became clear for the French that resistance was futile and they gave in to Spanish demands. Béarn was now rightfully Spanish and Farnese had proven his worth. Spain and Farnese had their glorious victory. The Flemish army however had suffered severe losses and without the skilled leadership of Farnese, who was tangled up in Spain for now, the rebels in the Netherlands made big gains …

Alva meanwhile had assembled a large army in Vienna. He was ready now to advance towards Budapest. When the official word came from Madrid from Felipe, his troops poured over the Turkish border and swiftly made big strides into Ottoman land. This war was going as well as the French war! However, the Turkish army was better equipped than the French and also more numerous and large armies stated a counterattack. Alva soon had his work cut out. His men were severely tested. The Turks were a worthy foe just like they had proven to be one in the deserts of North Africa, decades ago. However this time Alva was the most fearsome military leader of the age and his brilliance shone through bit by bit as he advanced steadily, slowly, but securely through the Turkish lines. He was halfway to Constantinople already when the Turkish offered to hand over Magyar. Alva, wanting to push on, was forced by Felipe to accept the offer. However he swore more could be reached against these Turks ...

That would however be the task of someone else to find out and would remain forever unknown to him as not soon after his last victory he passed away. Three weeks of national mourning were declared by Felipe for his most loyal and best servant throughout most of his reign. A devout catholic and ruthless warrior for the Habsburg cause, the Empire probably would never see a man as great as him again. However, just like this great man was never forgotten by Felipe, his claim that the Turk was ripe for more pickings wasn’t either ... But first the succession in Portugal would have to be worked out and Felipe has the best claims to the throne ...

Felipe II, por la gracia de Dios, Rey de Castilla, de Portugal, de Inglaterra, de León, de Aragón, de las dos Sicilias, de Jerusalén, de Navarra, de Granada, de Toledo, de Valencia, de Galicia, de Mallorca, de Menorca, de Sevilla, de Cerdeña, de Córdoba, de Córcega, de Murcia, de Jaén, de Algeciras, de Gibraltar, de las Islas Canarias, de las Indias Orientales y Occidentales, Duque de Borgoña, de Brabante, Conde de Flandes, de Barcelona, Señor de Vizcaya y de Molina.

 

[unmerged(11031)]

Preparing to spread the faith... the hard way

Polish-Lithuanian might was finally on the increase, and the policies of her Kings were starting to show some affect. While not as powerful as Russia and lacking the luck that seemed to follow the Protestant Elector of Brandenburg, never the less the reforms were beging to have the desired effect, the Centralisation of power under the Monarchy and the weakening of the Magnates power were increasing the wealth of the Nation, and with this new found wealth a great many new schemes were finally allowed to begin. A grand review of the nations defences was begun, with improvements to several key forts, to prevent invasion from both West and North, with the hope that they would slow down any invading force, allowing the Royal Army to be mobilised and used to throw back the invaders.

In an attempt to create a stronger bond for the nation, the cause of Catholicism was futher pushed within the Empire, and the Orthodox faith was stamped out within the nation. No longer would the Orthodox heretics be allowed to sully the Purity of Catholicisim, and more importantly, it was hoped that Russia would not take such an interest in the Empire of there were no Orthodox citzens. But all was not right in the country as the Protestant faith would not be stamped out, no matter how hard they tried, the Heretical Germans would not abandon their so called faith. More would have to be done to convert them to the true faith, or it was decided, a more permant solution would have to be undertaken



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Venice 1586-1600


Dubrovnik Incorporated in The Serenissima ​

In the second half of 1580es Ottoman Empire was in serious troubles. After losing the war against Russia, in 1586 the Sultan ceded the province of Kaffa. But the peace was short. Only a year later, in March 1587, Habsburg Empire declared war demanding return of Christian provinces in Hungary.

Venice watched the events over the border with the outmost care and when it became clear war was going badly for Turks, the Doge decided to use the situation to finally incorporate into the Republic the merchant city-state Dubrovnik, upon which both Venice and the Turks had claims, but Sultan held the title of the vassal overlord of Dubrovnik for over 60 years. War was declared in August 1587 and since Turks were occupied with Habsburg armies all went well.

Only when Ottoman Empire accepted a humiliating peace and ceded Pest and Maros to Spain in January 1589 did the situation became a bit more tensed. However, Ottman Empire was in serious internal problems with stability (-3) and was unable to intervene againt Venice.

Two months later, in March 1589, Dubrovnik surrendered and was incorporated in The Serenissima.

Expansion in Italy​

In the beginning of 1590 Papal States was once again accepted into Venetian alliance with Tuscany, with the hopes it will be different this time…

But alas, again no luck! On the first occasion, when in August Venice declared war against China, the Pope betrayed the alliance. It seemed true that the only way to bring some order in middle Italy was to take the land in question under direct control of The Serenissima.

As it happened, Habsburg Empire was occupied with the war in Lowlands, against Netherlands, so in January 1591 Venice declared war against Papal States. The war was not against the Pope, but against Papal States controlling too much land in Italy. France supported this policy. Even a pious Catholic country Poland supported the idea that Pope should be more concerned with spiritual issues and less with worldly ones.

Well, Habsburg Empire might have been occupied, but Emperors wife, Queen of England, was not. England was very much concerned for Papal well being, perhaps too concerned, or perhaps it was a guilty conscience for not doing anything on behalf of Pope when Habsburg Empire was attacking him a decade ago. Whatever the reason might be, England presented Venice an ultimatum: sign a white peace with the Pope until May 1591, or England would intervene.

Venice tried reasoning, diplomacy, even offered money, but nothing helped. On May 18th England declared a war against Venice. But the actual war operations in Italy didn’t commence before early 1592, only a few skirmishes in colonies occurred.

By 1592 Venice controlled Emilia and Marche and sieging Romagna and Siena. Not a single Venetian soldier stepped a foot on Rome and we made it clear that would remain the fact: Venice was not at war against Papal spiritual leadership. The Doge arranged military access to Tuscany, securing thus a base in the middle of the conflict zone. And it was exactly on time, because soon 100 English warships arrived under admiral Drake, carrying over 50.000 soldiers, that started the siege of Emilia.

Venetian navy of about 190 galleys was defeated, being no match to English warships and being commanded by less competent admiral than famous Drake. But the Arsenale was working with the full capacity and reinforcements were on the way, while England would surely have harder job in recovering her also significant losses. The situation on land was even better: close to 50.000 Venetian soldiers, equipped with more advanced weapons than the enemy (CRT advantage), were assembled in Tuscany and moved towards Emilia. The enemy was defeated. After that again the siege of Papal land started, while mercenaries and recruitments continued in Mantua.

At some point in war England managed to take control of Emilia, but Venice in the meantime took Marche. It was time for another major battle and as before Venice was victorious: English army retreated to Marche, where she waited navy to collect it. But this must have proven a bit harder than expected, because 2x100 Venetian galleys were fighting 70 English warships in the sea zones of Adriatic.

Realizing she couldn’t win, England offered white peace to Venice. Although The Admiralty kept insisting it was a perfect moment to even more hurt English navy, the diplomacy won the debate in front the Council of Ten and on 20th of August 1593 peace offer was accepted: it was war for land in Italy after all. The losses were high on both sides: England lost over 60 warships (worth about 2.500 d) and Venice lost over 120 galleys worth about 1.100 d). Venetian army losses were higher than English, though, and even more costly considering quite a lot of them were expensive mercenaries.

Venice was still at war, though: war against Pope went on. Venice controlled Romagna and Emilia in Papal States, but the Pope refused to cede Emilia. With the army seriously decreased during the war against England, Venice decided to ask for help from Republic of Tuscany. Their 20.000 soldiers started the siege of Marche, while the equal number of Venetian soldiers sieged Siena. As soon as Marche fell the Pope saw the error of his foolish diplomacy and offered peace. In February 1596, after 5 years of war, Papal States ceded Romagna and Emilia to Venice and Marche to Tuscany.

Now only Tuscany had to be incorporated into the Republic. This was easy, because public opinion in Florence was in favor of such an union. However, the foreign policy had to be considered: the Emperor was not happy at all with the conquests against the Papal States, which was clearly indicated with alliance with the Pope. Declaration of annexation of Tuscany could easily provoke an undesired attention from Habsburg Empire, so it was decided to wait…

Until in March 1598 France declared war against Habsburgs, and four months later also Ottoman Empire. In December 1598 Venice annexed Tuscany. Here is how Italy and Adriatic coast looks like now:

Venetian Colonisation and Trade​

Despite serious troubles in Italy, Venetian war against China for control of the second centre of trade went well. After a bit more then two years China ceded Guangzhou to Venice along with war indemnities of 116 d. With that The Serenissima even more confirmed her leading position in the world trade. The Chinese Trading Company, the newest one of three existing companies, became the richest one, owning two very lucrative centres of trade (Shanghai and Guangzhou).

The second one in importance was Canadian Trading Company with the headquarters in a lucrative centre of trade in Huron province.

The Pacific Trading Company, historically the first established, was a bit of a disappointment to the Council of Ten. They just keep moving their centres of trade. And not only moving, they keep pressing on more and more of them, as if they don’t believe in the centralization of trade! Well, the time will show whether this kind of model is competitive with more centralized one applied in Canada and China. Anyway, after starting with one COT in Tahiti, relocating to two COTs in Fiji islands and Falklands islands, the Pacific Trading Company now boasts with three COTs: Tahiti, Falklands and Macquarie. The only problem is the total trade is less than 1/10 of Canadian one and even more insignificant comparing to Chinese one. In fact, it seems the only positive think coming from the Pacific Trading Company, which makes the Council of Ten reluctant to shut it down, are the merchant apprentices, which than enter other world COTs.

Economy and Technology​

Venetian economy suffered very much in the war against England. It is assessed the inflation rose by more than 3% because of it. The total inflation is dangerously high and the effect is slowing down of the economical growth, as can be seen in the report:

Even worse happened in the technological development: it decreased! Habsburg Empire is still the leading country in technology research speed.

Read the rest of the economy and technology data in History of Wealth, Income, Technology Speed and Technology Multiplier by Countries