Ducal Court of Bavaria

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[size=+2]Welcome to the Duchy of[/size]

[size=+7] BAYERN [/size]

Neuschwanstein Castle

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Deep in the heart of the Holy Roman Empire lies Bavaria, a Germanic land of merchants and beer makers. Bavaria makes much of its money through its strategic position between the merchant Mediterrean nations of the south and the civilizied settled nations of the north and west. Bavaria is a strong hold of the Catholic Church, as its people's dedication and devotion to the Church is relatively unmatched elsewhere in Europe.
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NATIONAL STATISTICS

Nation: Bavaria
Player: CDVII
Head of State: Ludwig VII
Main City (Ducal Court): Munich
Religion: Catholic
Culture: Germanic
Stats: 2/0/4/4/2 --> [2/0/4/4/2]
Provinces: 4
Owned: Bavaria, Salzburg, Tyrol, Ansbach

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RECENT HISTORY​

While the lands of Bavaria have been in a recent peace, there is still turmoil within the lands. Bavaria had been ruled by the elderly Albrecht III, "der Pious," for ten years in relative stability before his death of influenza. However, the Wittelsbach line ended with Albrecht. His son, Ernst, who was in line to be duke, died during a fire at his summer residence of Mittensburg, in northern Bavaria. Ernst's wife Hannah and young son Maximillian also perished in this fire in 1445. Thus, upon Albrecht's passing, the rule of Bavaria was transferred to Hannah's brother, Ludwig Herzbacher, who has now ruled the court for 7 years. Ludwig VII was never meant to be a figure of power, and the future of Bavaria is now clouded with uncertainty.
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INFORMATION

[anchorlink=register]Das Register[/anchorlink]
[anchorlink=geographie]Geographie von Bayern[/anchorlink]
[anchorlink=relations]Foreign Relations[/anchorlink]
[anchorlink=status]Court Status[/anchorlink]


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[size=+7] [anchor=register]Das[/anchor] Register [/size]

People of Note in the Bavarian Realm

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[size=+3]Herzog Ludwig VII[/size]
Ludwig Herzbacher, Duke of Bavaria, Lord of Salzburg, Lord of Ansbach, Lord of Tyrol, Supreme Knight of Divine Christian Defence
Born: 1401 - ​

Ludwig VII became the duke of Bavaria upon the death of his wife’s brother in 1452. As Ludwig Herzbacher took his seat in the court, he vowed to do all that he can to be loyal and faithful to the people of Bavaria, and the Holy Roman Church. Unfortunately, Ludwig is of a simple mind, a man who should never have been duke. He lacks the strong character and iron will a ruler needs to truly lead his people. His small, scrawny frame and soft spoken voice do not help his image as a weak, frail man, incapable of making decisions when they are needed. Instead, he has come to heavily rely on the advice of his primary advisor, Bishop Jakob Wachstein. Some people whisper that is Bishop Jakob who truly runs the court in Bavaria, though the Bishop’s allegiances to the church and Bavaria seem genuine.

In the year 1437, the lord Ludwig Herzbacher married a young noblewoman from Ansbach. Unaware he would later rule the court of the state, he chose simply to marry a noble from a wealthy family in a nearby German province. Ludwig married Katja Ostgard of Nuremburg. Soon thereafter, Katja gave birth to a daughter, Lena, who has thus become the sole heiress to the rule of Bavaria. Katja died in childbirth.
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[size=+1]Bishop Jakob Wachstein[/size]
Bishop of the Munich, cheif advisor to Duke Ludwig VII
Age Unknown​

Much mystery surrounds the Bishop’s past and origins. All that is known is that he came into the court of Bavaria shortly before Ludwig became the ruler of Bavaria. The elderly bishop has become Ludwig’s strongest ally and chief advisor. After Ludwig became the Herzog, the old chiefs of court in the castle were gradually dismissed, leaving only a handful of others with Bishop Jakob at Ludwig’s side. Wherever Ludwig is, Bishop Jakob is sure to be nearby. The Bishop’s strong commitment to his faith cannot be questioned, as he spends any time away from Ludwig in the Alte Peter, the oldest cathedral in the city.​

[size=+1]Lena Herzbacher[/size]
Daughter of Ludwig VII, heiress to the Bavarian Court
Born: 1439 - ​

Lena, daughter of Duke Ludwig, has lived most of her life in private teaching and, while she is schooled in history and many languages, might be described as slightly naive. Lena has been taught for the most part by Sister Aginou, her devoted attendant, who was appointed by Bishop Jakob. Lena saw little of her father and only images of her mother. Lena’s life has been secluded from the people for the most part, and her knowledge of the Latin historians far surpasses her knowledge of everday transactions in the markets of the Stadtdplatz. She spends most of her time within the castle walls in Munich; it seems her purpose in life is to merely await the death of her father, and then continue his rule, nothing more. The Bishop has already begun the search for a suitable husband, though no news has come on that front in recent months.​

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[size=+1]The Family of Ernst Wittelsbach[/size]
Ernst II, his wife Hannah, and young son Maximillian
Deceased​

Ernst and his family were staying at their summer residence, the castle of Regensweindorf, outside of Augsburg, when a sudden fire ended their lives. Ernst was in line to rule Bavaria, and his death brought a sudden and surprising end to the Wittelsbach line. The day of their passing in 1445 was a great tragedy, and sadness swept the state of Bavaria for a time. The Herzogtum was thus transferred to Ludwig Herzbacher, Hannah's brother, upon the death of Albrecht III​

[size=+1]Albrecht III, "der Pious"[/size]
Last of the Wittelsbach Rulers of Bavaria
Born: 1410 - Died: 1450​

Albrecht III was once a grand and righeous ruler of his land, but his ability to lead effectively declined as he grew older. In the end, it was a testiment to his court's efficiency and the other beauracracy that Bavaria continued to remain a strong, stable power in Germania. His health failed him in 1450, and Ludwig VII then begin his reign over Bavaria.​

[size=+1]Order of the Blutweise[/size]​

Whether or not the Order exists in is itself a strong debate, whispered fiercely between townspeople later at night in taverns. Speaking of the Order on the street in public has been outlawed, and a merchant who utters the name of the so called secret society will find himself in the town’s jail that evening. The most prevalent theories of the Order of the Blutwiese insist that the Order is a secret society of devil worship which believes in human sacrifice, though these are most likely tales made up with bavarian beer as the co-author. All theories about the Order insist that there are some very powerful people in this society; sometimes these rumors can even include Ludwig himself. Any merchant who suddenly finds a large windfall may be subject of speculation as to whether or not he has made a deal with the Order. Likewise, a mill worker who disappears might be rumored to have been unable to pay back a debt to the Order. Regardless, the rumors of the sect’s existence are not likely to subside in the near future, and will always be used a ghost story to scare children, late at night.​

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[size=+7] [anchor=geographie]Geographie[/anchor] von Bayern [/size]

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Lands Under Bavarian Rule

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[size=+2]Lands of Bavaria[/size]​

Bavaria is a large area with several different geographical areas. The main areas of the state are green, rolling hills and fertile valleys. There are several main rivers that flow through Bavaria, including the Danube, the Main, the Isar, and the Inn. Bavaria also features many dark forests and thick woodlands. The area is rich in resources, especially in lumber, and silver mines. The state of Bavaria, of course, is most reknowned for its fine beer, which has standards regulated by the state to ensure the finest product. In southern Bavaria, and in Salzburg, the land rises up sharply as Europe's plains stretch into the Alps. The snow capped peaks of these massive mountains can be seen from miles away - and hide some of the stronghold fortresses of German lords, whose families remember stories of the invasions of the Magyars and the need for defenses.​

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[size=+2] Major Cities of Bavaria [/size]

Munich

Munich is the largest city in Munich, and site of the Ducal Court. The cityscape shown above is dominated by the two large churches in the town, the Alte Peter and the Frauenkirche. The walled city started out as a toll bride across the Isar and has grown to become one of the jewel's of the Holy Roman Empire. Some refer to it as the "Paris of Germania." The merchants of Munich run profitable business daily from the Stadtplatz, and the beer halls of the city are famous for their welcoming spirit and excellent drinks. Many a weary travel has stopped in Munich for a quick rest, only to lose a week in the beautiful city.​

Salzburg

To the southeast of Munich lies Salzburg, at the foot of the Alps. Salzburg of course made its fortunes through the salt mines in the city; these mines supplies much of Europe with the valuble white substance. However, the city's location was chosen because it lies in an economically strategic position: the city of Salzburg sits at the entrance to the widest path through the Alps in the area. No trade, and certainly no army, can make an easy trip tinto the region if not through Salzburg.​

Nuremburg

The city of Nuremburg is the second largest in Bavaria. Like Munich, it is primarily a trading city, which sits on the Danube river. The city is overlooked by a large castle, and is the capital of Ansbach.​

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[size=+7] [anchor=relations]Foreign[/anchor] Ministry [/size]

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[size=+2]Recent Diplomacy[/size]​

Papacy: Father Jaromir met in Munich
Venice: Bavarian Ambassador Tobias Kleinmann dispatched to Venice
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[size=+2] Existing Treaties of Bavaria [/size]​

League of Christ

With: Papal States, Hungary
Effects: Bavaria pledges to aid Papal States in time of need, be it through military armies or monetary aid; right of passage to give such aid is permitted; Needs of Papal States surpass any other pressing demand in Bavarian state

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Central European Loan and Trade Act

With: Venice
Effects: Bavaria and Venice agree to be close trading partners; in time of need monetary aid shall be provided

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The Kassel Accord

With: Hessen
Effects: Mutual Defense Pact between two states; promotion of trade between lands

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The French Agreement

With: France
Effects: Increased trade between two Catholic nations; in event of war, monetary aid shall be given when possible
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[size=+1]The [anchor=status]Residenz[/anchor] of Munich is currently[/size]
[size=+3] OPEN [/size]

Residenzplatz in Munich

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Duke Ludwig VII welcomes all guests and friends of the Catholic Church to Bavaria. Though the duke must concern himself with the businesses of his people, he is willing to meet with any messengers should he be required.
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Antiquarium, the great hall in the Residenz

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[Petrarca]

Father Jaromir silently wondered what his temporal and spiritual lieges would want. The former, the King of Bohemia, was now Emperor-Elect and thus bore not only personal interest in Bavaria but also the guiding eye of an overlord. The latter, the Pontiff, would be most keen upon seeing that the welfare of the Church was upheld, particularly with the ongoing council.

And both his masters were of the Wittelsbach line. The King was of a junior Bavarian line through his father, and often appeared to see the name as an unwanted liability as well as a connection to much of the Empire. The Pontiff, by contrast, was of the Rhenish Palatinate and served very much as a godfather to his extended family as he did his religious flock. The Franciscan's questions about the policy of the realm, being a Bohemian foremost, would have to wait until he received instructions. For the moment, he busied himself with the steward:

"I desire to see His Lordship the Duke, on behalf of my liege. I have been directed to advise the Duke of the suggestion that a representative of Bavaria-Munich attend the Imperial Diet and remind the Duke of his responsibility to swear fealty to the Imperial Purple."

 

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"I appreciate your making the trip into our land, Father" Ludwig said from his seat in the ducal hall. As he stood up to go forth and meet the visitor, he left Bishop Jakob alone, though he didn't leave the Bishop's watchful eye. The Duke strode forward and clasped the hand of the emissary in front of him. "Though the state of Bavaria has recently undergone a bit of turmoil, I beleive that all our affairs seem to have now been straightened out. And while our land finds its footing, I wish to ensure you that Bavaria's commitment and dedication to his Holiness shall never waiver, and shall never falter. We remain loyal servants of the Catholic Church, and Bavaria shall answer whenever called upon. I regret that I must leave you now, for I have domestic issues to attend to, but I shall make my head advisor available to address any needs you have."

With that, Bishop Jakob forcefully strode forward and introduced himself. "Holy Father, I am Bishop Jakob Wachstein of the Alte Peter, here in Munich. I can personally assure you that Bavaria's interests are those of the church. In fact, I was just about to dispatch one of my men to the Imperial Diet this very day." Father Jaromir noticed that the Bishop had slowly led him towards the main door of the courtroom, without the father's even realizing it. Additionally, the Duke Ludwig VII was gone from the room. Bishop Jakob leaned forward "Please express Bavaria's continuing dedication to the Church to your superiors in Rome. If you do have any other needs during your stay in Munich, please make me aware and I shall do what I can. In the meantime, I shall order the staff to prepare a room for you here in the Residenz, and I urge you to use it as you need. There will always be a welcome place here for men of the Church. Regardless, if you need anything else, I shall be here, awaiting your call." With that, the Bishop bowed his head, signalling and end to the conversation.

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