Generally an ok session for Spain.
The wars against Tunisia and Algiers were successful, resulting in most of North Africa becoming leal to the kingdom of Spain. Afterward, the long project of improving infrastructure in the realm finally paid off, increasing the income from production and allowing the construction of refineries.
The French meanwhile had been becoming a menace to our friends, the Austrians. Seizing lands that rightfully belonged to the Hapsburgs or were within the bounds of the HRE, the French king wantonly provoked Austria to a war, in which he was also greatly outnumbered and outgunned. Not wishing to leave his ally to fend for himself, the king prepared the army for war. El Gran Capitan raised levies across the kingdom and led the new army to war.
There were problems with supplies at first, and neither side would dare to cross the Pryenees. Eventually the French became tiresome of the lame war and took the initiative themselves, invading from Bearn. Their invasin was thrown back, and El Gran Capitan with his 20,000 cavalry in gerona tried to intercept the fleeing French when he heard the news, but was apprehensive because he knew there would be French reinforcements nearby. He chose to take the risk, but his fears proved well founded and had to retreat before he could inflict any serious damage.
The next stage took place when another daring general, the Duke of Alba, set off with a 10k infantry army to beseige La Rochelle. It was an easy place to defend from for Alba, but the French attacked with over 40k. The stubborn general refused to retreat and was taken prisoner along with what remained of his army after the general slaughter.
El Gran Capitan returned to Spain and took command of the main army. The Poitou campaign was a big failure, and Roussilon was impossible to invade, but Gascogne was still a possibility.
With a total of 40k at his disposal, the brave general led the attack. He landed in Gascogne with 20k, while a cavalry army remained in reserve for when needed. There were some skirmishes that the Spanish won without much trouble, but soon the major attack came. General Foix crossed the river to engage the Spanish army with 60k, while another 40k flanked from the south. It was 100k vs 40k, but the defensive advantage of the forests and the river, with the superior skills of the Spanish general allowed for the French to be repulsed, with over 13k casualties to Spain's 5k. With attrition the losses were greater for Spain, but the victory itself allowed for the capture of Bordeaux.
After that, the war went downhill for Spain. 12k cavalry were lost in France, when they were pursued into Bourbon by 18k French. The French launched an invasion of Spain itself and assaulted successfully through two provinces. The counterattack failed, but once the French retreated the provs were of course retaken. But another event compromised the war.
The Muslims who once occupied the south, had been nearly all converted to the true faith in the last decades. However, the governors of these lands were not satisfied and purged the land of those who had converted and caused huge uprisings. The land was no longer stable, and by this time war exhaustion had become rather high too. Besides, the war with France was going nowhere.
50 ducats were sent to Paris for peace, along with an agreement to a 10 year non-aggression pact, in 1493.
On a brighter note, Columbus discovered the new world during this time, and had created the first settlement there on an Island named "Cuba". A civilization called the "Aztecs" was also discovered. They appear somewhat advanced, but will have to be shown the true faith by Spanish missionaries.
