The Ultimate Power
The long history of the esteemed Holy Roman Empire can not be recounted without mentioning the longer history of its proud, powerful emperors. The Emperors of the Empire were some of the most powerful men in Europe, the world even. They found themselves bowing only to God and his messenger, the Pope, and found no equal except within the Papacy.
His power was ultimate but its foundations rested upon the backs of every state
within the Empire. As it was many small states had an opinion on who was the next Emperor, from the tiny Imperial City of Lubeck to the large Kingdoms of Bavaria and Brandenburg. As it was on top of this seven lucky, prestigious states were given the right for the final vote; at which their opinion counted the most. And as it was the Empire was given the choice as to who its leader was; the Empire raised, the Empire fell him.
The tale of the Prince-Elector of the Palatine can not be told without recounting the dramatic tale of Emperor Matthias, as both of their futures were closely tied together by the actions both powerful men would take. Together, opposing each other over the battleground of the Empire, they would re-shape it and mould Germany's future.
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The wet grounds of Wurttemburg were now strewn with thousands of dead bodies. Walking among the mutiliated dead bodies was the Prince - Elector of the Palatine, Frederick, and the King of Wurttemburg, John Frederick. The Prince Elector was wiping his sword clean of deep red blood and looking down at the dead bodies.
"I can assume your support, now, surely?" He asked intensely, looking at the King. The King himself was of forty years age, and he lightly touched the cross hanging around his neck.
"You ask a great deed of me, Frederick." he sighed heavily.
"As I have mentioned beforehand, good King, one which is entirely necessary and timed. If we can summon the support of the other nations we can bring down Austria - for good." Pressed the Elector, stopping in the middle of the field.
"Good sir how can I take your word truly. A matter of importance arises from your arguments - your family!" he exclaimed.
"My family should find no matter in this. I speak past any such emotional ties which could drag back our cause, and also they are a extinct, hated line of my family." He said coldly.
"Hatred is not the importance; to have the Elector of Bavaria and Brandenburg in your family circle is a matter of concern for me."
"You did not voice this concerns before, King, and I bid you shelve them now. Ask who you may but I declared war against my
supposed family nothing short of a week ago." This statement was met with silence. The King nodded, after a few minutes.
"Prince Elector Frederick von Wittelsbach, you have my support for this union of states." he said solemnly and the Elector smiled in relief.
"The first of many, good King. This victory will be emulated many times over before the union proclaims total victory."
At these words it was that a weedy man tore from his observation spot at the edge of these fields. Racing through the light rain he jumped onto a brown horse and urged it forward at great pace.
"Ride! Ride for Austria!" he urged it loudly, and the horse reared in alarm before setting off a great gallop pounding towards the lands of the Emperor. The man riding pushed away his long cloak as it flapped behind him, and the double headed eagle of Austria was on his shield.
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The cold battle of Wurttemburg had been, unknown to both, accompanied by an even greater campaign further to the east. As the Elector and the King vowed to topple the dominance of Austria and further the cause of Germany the man they plotted against was spearheading his army further into the rebellious lands of Bohemia. 60 000 rode with the old Emperor as did a line of German nobles. At the head of the column rode the Emperor and he was preparing himself for the great siege before them; the stronghold of the Protestant movement within Bohemia.
As he evaluated the situation he was joined by several other mounted soldiers, all clad in shining armour and with large emblems printed upon their armoured chests.
"My Emperor, we have received alarming news from the lands of Germany." spoke one in a deep voice.
"Then pray continue before you truly break my thought." He bid them consumed in thought.
"We were met minutes ago by a exhausted rider who had fled from the lands of Wurttemburg. By his efforts he brought news to us which changes this campaign."
"The King of Wurttemburg has always found himself as a close ally of my house. What now could draw him from this allegiance." asked the Emperor in doubt of bad news.
"The rider heard by his own ears of plotted treachery and devilry being stirred. Your own doubts can be confirmed though, sir, as he was being influenced by none-other then the Prince Elector of the Palatine." said the man heavily and he bowed his head in shame, "The great house of Wittelsbach has spawned some cursed." The Emperor stopped at these words.
"The Duchy of Bavaria has not been afflicted by this" he said slowly, "... but how I ever curse the
damned Elector Frederick. He does not realise but with this he brings upon himself great suffering. He dares mirrors the actions of these rebels whilst we crush them! Curse the lands of the Palatine!" roared the Emperor, raging.
"My lord we could march upon his lands as this campaign finishes." suggested the Elector of Bavaria, and the man by his side spoke for the first time.
"I suggest we march now." The Emperor ignored their plans and closed his fist.
"I am betrayed by those who elect me! I have been backstabbed by the power which brings me forth. I shall claim my vengeance on those who
dare challenge the might of Austria - and the Habsburgs!" he swore to himself and rode forward leaving behind the three nobles.
"We bring sorrow to our family, brother." said the Elector of Brandenburg heavily, "Elisabeth will be entranced with sadness by the death which rides to Frederick."
"Death which he has asked for. I can find no pity within my heart, as solid as it is, and can only ask of his foolishness. He stands against the Emperor himself? Where goes his sanity!" Exclaimed the Elector of Bavaria, shaking his head, "If I must I will cut down the accursed man myself." George William, Elector of Brandenburg, looked at the Bavarian in shock at these strong words.
"I pray you take back those words. Between us we can find common alliance and yet you speak so harshly of your own brother. Within myself I can find only sympathy..."
"Then I hope you not be beguiled by this sharp-tounged man, as such a fate would await Brandenburg dare it cross the Emperor." And at this warning Maximillian, Elector of Bavaria, rode away. George sighed in agony as he saw his situation. The Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire had declared vengeance against his own family - somehow he must stop this foolish war from starting.
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It was at such a crossroads that the two men crossed swords - the Elector of the Palatine, outlawed by his family and cursed by the Emperor, rode northward through the Empire with the King of Wurttemburg, in silent, confident search for those who would ally with him and join the union, while the Emperor vowed he would destroy the Elector and his accursed faith. The Empire hung on the verge of catastrophe.
Already parts of it were engulfed in war. Maximilian of Bavaria returned to his Electorate and rode at the head of his own army, itself marching into southern Bohemia. Opposite this advance rode the Emperor with his 60 000 strong army, which was cutting past Silesia and slicing straight towards Prague, the city itself consumed in flames of passionate rebellion. Immediately to the south of the lands of Brandenburg stood a strong Bohemian army, which rested and waited for its chance, as its brother army marched further into the heart of Hungary.
To the west of this dramatic war marched the Elector of the Palatine and the King of Wurttemburg, north, towards the lands of Anhalt, itself looking towards the Netherlands as a great revolution raged. The dark days of Europe had been declared banished - but the people of Germany found themselves fighting a new dark age, of different religion and rebelling electors.
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