1572-1576 – A New Chancellor
With the appointment of Prince Marti, King Ferran IV’s uncle, to the position of chancellor, the power struggle between the clergy and nobility only grew tenser. Now with an ear to the king, Marti paid back the nobility who had supported him by convincing King Ferran to place restrictions on the Inquisition and its ability to investigate nobles. The implications of this were quite obvious: the Inquisition answered to the Crown and the nobility now stood above the clergy. The nobles were quite pleased with this income, but the clergy surely were not. At least the clergy were not being interfered with in their official missionary duties, which were going better than ever.
The new chancellor immediately went to work, feeling out various diplomatic connections with other nations and establishing policies for some of Europe’s strongest powers. Portugal would only be faced with hostility. Queen Isabel might not have been pleased with that, but there was little she could do now that she had put her support behind the prince. As an answer to the deterioration of relations with the French, Prince Marti sought out their traditional enemy, the British, and expressed a wish for positive relations. The two kingdoms may have conflicted in the past, but almost solely as a result of France. Perhaps relations could be repaired. Marti also showed a willingness to cooperate with Austria, the current Emperor, and Bohemia. The Papal State was also shown a similar attitude. In response to North African aggression, Morocco and Tunis would only be met with hostility from now on.
Venice, once a former ally and then a dangerous rival, had since fallen in status. There had been fear of a conflict for decades, but nothing ever materialized. No one really thought of Venice as a rival anymore. Truly there were very few powers that could threaten Hispania. At the moment, Lithuania’s major expansions in the east were a bit worrisome for Byzantium and that kingdom had declared they considered Hispania a rival, so the feelings were made mutual.
Cardinal Cassano Velazquez, as Representative to the Knights, arranged for the end of military support from the Knights during wars, although in exchange they would contribute funds for the development of their holdings. Calling on a holy order of knights for military support outside of crusades did seem a bit much, after all.
The final order of business was the demolition of the fort in Corsica. As a small island, the fort’s ability to protect the region was minimal and cost more than it was worth. It would be better for the navy to be tasked with protecting the island. Over in Sardinia, more specifically Cagliari, the region had been growing and there was now room for further infrastructure. A new shipyard, as required by the Strategic Island Act, was constructed to improve Hispania’s shipbuilding industry.
Some of the lesser nobility had been pushing for positions at court, specifically ceremonial ones that gave them greater access to the king. Such things were a good way to keep an eye on the nobles, but having a bunch of nobles attending the king all the time was costly and a bit of a nuisance. While Ferran IV did enjoy the nobles being there to do tasks for him, he also grew quite impatient with their constant need to be around him. These ceremonies were cut down in number, although not removed entirely.
Conquistador Hernando Francisco de Leon returned to the New World and soon met a tribe that seemed vaguely familiar. Hadn’t he encountered like a dozen tribes separating men and women? Either way, he went with the diplomatic approach this time.
Efforts to colonize the island of Fernando Po came to fruition as the colony became self-sustaining. No new colonial efforts were started up, and there was rumours this was to ensure there was the necessary resources and funds to maintain any stolen Portuguese colonies.
Armies had been shipped about, with four entire armies placed in Iberia. The fifth started its journey to Guantanamo where it could launch an assault on Portugal’s colonies.
Improvements were made to the cultivation of land. New methods of drainage allowed for previously unsettled land to be opened up to be used for either farmland or urban areas. Of course this required such men willing to work such land. Many merchants in Hispania were growing complacent with the seeming lack of competition and were not bringing in as much money as before. The treasury suddenly found itself in the red, but a month of cut spending to the army and navy allowed for the treasury to recover without taking out a loan. ((I dropped army and fleet maintenance to zero and we had enough of a surplus to get out of the hole.))
At the start of November, France managed to settle a peace with Burgundy, taking their remaining provinces on France’s eastern border. The end of that war also brought a surprising change to Franco-Hispanian relations. Hostilities practically died down overnight. Apparently with their new conquests, their desire to take Provence and the Baleares had died down. Chancellor Marti wasn’t entirely sure what sparked the change, but it solved his problem on what to do about the French. He just hoped the thaw would last.
The forts in Iberia were manned and the armies moved to the Portuguese border. Once everything was in place, the declaration was sent. Portugal had no allies and was about to face the wrath of Hispania all alone.
The four armies in Iberia immediately moved over into the border provinces. The timing was almost perfect, for the Portuguese had just completed a fort in Braganca, but had not had the time to properly garrison it. Taking it was going to be a much easier task and greatly hinder Portugal once it was under Hispania’s control.
While Hispania moved on Portugal, a Moroccan spy was caught in Cadiz trying to fabricate a claim. The heathen spy was executed as a lesson to Morocco to stay out of Hispanian affairs.
Wool from Nueva Granada was becoming a highly desired product. Viceroy Santiago Aybar took advantage of that trend and ensured such goods were properly taxed. Perhaps the colonial government didn’t approve, but it brought in greater wealth to Hispania.
Beira, Algarve, and Alentejo all fell within a few days of each other in February of 1573. General Wolfgang Oliver Lübecker led two armies on Lisboa in hopes of taking the Portuguese capital. General Francesc Gabriel Gerard Miquel Bernat de Loarre marched north to aid with the siege of Braganca, but General Cesar Miguel de Montcada managed to capture the fort before he even arrived. Instead the two focused on trying to ensure the Portuguese army of 14k men didn’t move into either Galicia or Hispania.
Down in Africa, the natives of Gabon had shown a greater acceptance of the colonists. Perhaps the policy of coexistence was paying off. Some had even shown a willingness to hear the word of God. That boded well for the future of these primitive heathens.
Coimbra fell in May, coinciding with Hispania’s control of the sugar trade. With only the capital free in Iberia, the Portuguese army could be dealt with. An assault was launched by Generals Loarre and Montcada. The Portuguese were outnumbered and trapped against the captured fort. They attempted to run, but their options were limited. They were hunted down in Beira and forced to surrender. Portugal’s army was defeated.
Over in the Caribbean, General Niccolo Limmona had free reign to rampage through Hispaniola. He first landed in the tiny colony of Les Cayes. Due to the tiny population, the Portuguese there were at his mercy. The colony was seized and the colonist in Gabon ordered to head for Les Cayes to keep the population in line.
Even as Hispania focused on war with its neighbour, a council of cardinals was convened in Linz in Austria to debate on how to best handle this Protestant movement. A consensus was reached that certain reforms should be adopted, such as an end to absentee bishops and the excesses of some clergy, without compromising the Catholic faith itself. The Counter-Reformation had begun. ((We can now embrace the Counter-Reformation. I’ll include a screenshot of it later.))
By June, General Limmona had managed to seize the Portuguese colony of Tortuga. Colonist Miguel Villanova was recalled from Guantanamo to help bring the Portuguese colony under control. Ideally they would start embracing the Hispanian way. The cost of maintaining four colonies at once put serious strain on the economy, but the deficit was only minor. It was hoped that the colonies could be completed quickly, so the problem should only be temporary.
With the Portuguese crippled by the war, Hispania’s dominance in West Africa flourished. The Trans-Atlantic Trade Company was raking in the cash.
October brought further trouble in Africa as Jolofian Separatists rebelled in Wolof. That decision proved to be a major mistake, for the African army was patrolling the region at the time. The rebels were defeated and forced to scatter. The locals would think twice before rebelling again.
Limmona was able to capture all of Hispaniola and moved on to the Turks & Caicos. The island chain would end up being the last Portuguese province that needed capturing, for Lisboa was taken at the end of October. This forced the Portuguese navy into the Hispania galley fleet sitting outside the port. The galleys were not suited for the harsh waters of the Atlantic, but they had over twice the numbers of the Portuguese and were better led with Admiral Juan de Porcelli in charge. Three galleys were lost, but the Portuguese lost their entire navy. Three replacement galleys were immediately placed under construction in Sicily.
With the enemy threat all but gone, all forts were mothballed and the fleet recalled to port. When the Turks Islands fell in December, Portugal’s fate was sealed. Limmona made his way home as negotiations for peace were made. Chancellor Marti was given full power to decide a peace, since King Ferran thought it was too much work. He fully intended to take as many Iberian provinces as he could. However, he believed it may be too difficult to govern so many rebellious Portuguese. Thus he arranged for the Duke of Galicia to be granted control of two Portuguese provinces, while the south went to Hispania, leaving only two on the coast. With Portugal reduced to a nub state, he proceeded to demand the rest of Hispaniola to secure the island. With that peace settled, efforts were first placed on integrating the Iberian provinces. At least Corsica, the island taken from the last war, had accepted Hispanian rule.
Genoa’s presence near the Mamluks was proving a problem. Apparently the Muslims had started stealing ideas from the Genoese and were attempting to reform their country to fit the European ways. Surely this would make them an even greater threat.
The Portuguese took their loss in stride, already working on colonies elsewhere in the Bahamas.
The king continued his policy of letting the Council do most everything. It was much easier to remain in ignorance and receive some quality peace and quiet.
With a peace settled and the treasury filling up, Steward François de Montségur continued on with his predecessor’s plan by building a barracks in Athens. Although a distant memory, the Greek Rebellion was a good reminder of the importance of Athens and why it needed a strong military presence
Tortuga proved easy to colonize after taking it from the Portuguese. By November of 1574 it was already self-sustaining and had abandoned its Portuguese roots. Colonist Miguel Villanova returned to Guantanamo to complete the colony there.
Conquistador Leon encountered a lake that the locals claimed was the home of a deadly spirit. Not particularly in the mood to cross the water, he and his expedition opted to circle around.
A new design of fort was shown to the court known as the Tenaille or Bastion. It featured a star shape that was better suited for close-range defence. Perhaps some of the forts within Hispania could be upgraded with this feature.
Beira was the first Portuguese province to be brought under control. Just around the time that happened, it was discovered that the Poles had decided that maintaining friendly relations with Hispania was optimal. Perhaps a mutual hostility towards the Mamluks and Hungary helped with that. Either way, Chancellor Marti returned the favour.
Great Britain achieved a victory against Scotland, further laying claim to the Isles. Scotland was hanging on by a thread.
The colony in Les Cayes completed in September of 1575, securing all of Hispaniola. The Portuguese colonies taken on the eastern side had yet to be properly administered, but that would come in time. For now, the colonist moved south down to Tandil to created a colony near Montevideo.
Steward Montségur finished his predecessor’s plan for barracks by constructing them in Cantabria, Castilla La Vieja, and La Mancha. A temple was also built in Asturias to appease the clergy. However the most significant action of his was his attempt to unify the administration of Malta with that in Sicily. The people of Malta were host to a sect of the Knights and had never truly associated with the Sicilians. By joining them together, perhaps their shared association would make administration a bit easier.
Presenting His Majesty, Ferran IV de Trastámara, King of Hispania & Galicia, and Protector of the Greeks & the Knights.
So we managed to beat the Portuguese again? Good work everyone. I barely even realized there was a war going on. You know, since I was so busy with my kingly duties and such. Yeah, so… same time next year?
((Good thing the king is lazy because it becomes difficult to think up something new to say every time.
We have several things to do. First, ministers should post their plans and anyone may present a potential law. Seeing as we will have a new colonial nation in a year or two, feel free to suggest names and we’ll hold a vote on that later. We may also embrace the Counter-Reformation if anyone wants that. You all have until
Tuesday at 12pm PST to do that.
The Cortz also has some special things to do. They need to appoint a Chamberlain from amongst the nobility and consider
this claim by Ferdinant IV (
@ThePatriotOfDreumel) to the county of Athens.
@alscon,
@Dadarian, and
@Luftwafer are the only ones that may vote on this. They have until the deadline mentioned earlier.
Ferdinant’s Claim:
Yes/No/Abstain
))