1542:
Although in Regency, the Brandenburg Kingdom was able to annex the Teutonic Order, adding Memel to their realm. Although this was only a minor gain for the Kingdom, it can now mark the Eastern border of the Brandenburgian Kingdom.
1543:
King Friedrich Wilhelm the III rose to the throne of the Kingdom. In a royal assembly held in the province of Brandenburg, the great King gave a glorious speech--
"My people! For the past two centuries we have been attempting to become a unified people. The Southern Saxons still feel they should remain free from us. However, I do not believe that this should stand in our way! Saxons of the North, Hamburgians, Danes, Pommeranians, Teutons, Hinterpommeranians, Hannoverians, Polish; we must not unite under a flag that does not represent everyone. WE MUST UNITE UNDER A NEW FLAG! We are no longer the Kingdom of Brandenburg....WE ARE THE KINGDOM OF PRUSSIA!"
The Prussian Kingdom's prestige is well known among my home. I feel that it would be advantageous of us to join the Prussian Reformed Kingdom.
1544:
The year would mark Prussia's first war. Poland, Mecklenburg, Bremen, and Norway fight against our armies but to no avail. Within months, Mecklenburg is annexed, bringing the rich trade center of Lubeck into Prussian control. Similarly, Norway and Bremen quickly sue for peace, offering 50 ducats a piece. Now the attention of the troops must turn East to the remaining Polish forces.
1545:
Peace was quickly reached as Polish troops began to flounder against the 30000+ men of the Prussian Army. Though more could have, and possible should have, been asked for, only 50 ducats are received along with Polands claims on Poznan and Kaliz being renounced.
1546-1547:
Messengers returned from Brabant and France, arriving in Brandenburg in the winter of 1546. They bring news of a great naval and land force being constructed and trained. King Friedrich Wilhelm III recognizes that our navy is weak and needs strengthening. Fourteen new ships are constructed for the transportation of our forces. Now protection of those ships is needed.
1548:
It would seem that not all Northern Saxons agreed with the change to a Prussian Kingdom. Albrecht Friedrich Holtzeadurff and a coalition of 8000 troops rise up under the old Brandenburg flag. The Nationalists are quickly suppressed by Friedrich Wilhelm III himself.
After the rebels were put down, Friedrich Wilhelm III met with Czar Nikolai I of Russia to discuss matters of expansion. Nikolai I, whom recently conquered much of Scandinavia, stated no interest in moving past Sjaelland in Denmark. Because of this, Friedrich Wilhelm III announced that the borders of Prussia will end with Plock and Sjeradz in the Polish Kingdom. Papers were drafted in Russian, German, and Latin and signed by the King and Czar.
1549:
War once again hits our Kingdom. Venice, our ally, declared war on Mantua, allied with Bavaria and Savoy. Our armies were successful. Mantua was quickly annexed by Venice. However, the remaining Kingdoms would take more time to subdue.
1551:
Peace was reached with Bavaria to cede Oberpflaz to our Kingdom. This province marks the first campaign to unify the Southern Saxons, although Bavaria claims to not acknowledge the Saxon culture.
Additionally, with the focus reshifted to the South, our King agreed to an alliance with King Balthasar IV from Thurungia. Perhaps one day our two nations will be joined.
1552:
Perhaps following in our footsteps, the Republic of Venice now wishes to be recognized as Italy. Though unable to attend himself (hopefully not seen as an insult to Doge Michele Grimani), envoys from our nation traveled to Rome to celebrate with the new Italian Republic.
1553:
Again, much like our nation, one year after Doge Michele Grimani renamed his Republic to Italy, they declared war on Milan. Again, at request from the Doge himself, our armies focused on the Northern allies of Milan, mainly consisting of the Palantine.
During this time, two great events happened. The Artist Ferdinand von Anhalt was hired to help bring stability to the realm and help draft new masterpieces for the Prussian court. However, while our nation attempted to fight a war to the south, powers to the west entered a war with Great Britain. France, Brabant, and Portugal (those who had been building a large fleet) declared war on the Anglo-Saxon's stating that the colonial expansion of the Kingdom was unfair and unjust. Our King can do nothing but watch as the West enters a bloody conflict.
1554:
Peace is agreed upon with The Palantine, much to the dismay of our Italian allies. Franken and 75 ducats are the prize for this war, further cementing our claims to the Southern Saxons. Our King feels that although the Northern Saxons are unified, all the Germanic/Saxon nations would be happier under one flag.
Because of our hasty peace and in attempts to apologize to Italy, our King sent spies to the Palantine to revolt against their leaders. With any luck, our their nation will tear itself apart from the inside.
During the decade since the formation of Prussia, our King has been eying the province of Raitbor, which fell under Hungarian control. In his eyes, the province rightly belongs to the Prussian Kingdom and has warned King Ulaszlo IV of Hungary no to go to war with anyone or swift justice shall be done to them.
1556:
Rudolf von Dossow, a commandant, was hired to serve in the Kings court. His ability to discipline our troops will make them a fiercer opponent on the battle field.
1559:
Our beloved king, the founder of Prussia, died as war once again broke out. Italy declared war on Austria, who had over the years regrown and become a powerful force.
1560:
The Regency Council agreed on a new national idea, instituting a National Bank in order to reduce the inflation our nation had built up during the Reformation years.
The war lingers on and even though we are losing ground in Prussia, Austria's troops cannot keep the charge going forever. We will chase them down and execute every last one of them.
1562:
The King of Hungary has sent us a message--
"Stay our of our expansion into Poland and Bohemia and we shall give you theprovince of Raitbor"
Although the Council is apprehensive about the agreement, the prospect of Raitbor is to great to pass up.
1563:
Heinrich the First rises to the throne. Though an incompetent man, within a month of his reign, peace is struck with Austria----they shall pay us 75 ducats and cede Niederbayern.
Hungary has expanded to quick and to wide. Unable to control their rebels, Saxony breaks off. Quick to act, our King enters a peace with the newly founded republic. Doge Joachim Bretfeld quickly agrees to terms.
1565:
It seems forever since we have declared a war of our own. We shall have to wait even longer. Italian troops call for our arms against Milan and their allies. We shall take the Holy Roman Emperor while Italy deals with the south!