Burgundy the Mighty (Normal/Aggressive)
Part I: Prelude to Greatness
1 January 1492
To: His Majesty King Charles II:
As has become custom it my honor as Archbishop of Dijon and spokesman for the Counsel of Nobles to give you my annual state of the realm report. As we stand today, 1 Jan 1492, our realm consists of the provinces of Burgoyne, French-Comte, Holland, Friesen, Zeeland, The Hague, Picardie, Flanders, Hainault, Artois, and Luxembourg. Our treasury stand at 400 ducats. Flandres Guard under the command of Colonel Chambly (1/0/1/0) has 15,000 infantry and 2,000 cavalry. The Army of Burgoyne, under your most able command (4/3/3/1) stands at 30,000 infantry, 5,000 cavalry, and 10 artillery pieces. Our navy, currently in port in Amsterdam has 9 warships and 4 transports. We currently have no alliances to maintain and excellent relations with most of the major European powers, save the wretched French.
It is the opinion of the Counsel that our kingdom cannot survive alone, especially since French possessions partition our capital in Dijon from our northern holdings. We believe it necessary to ally ourselves with another of the great powers of Europe, to ensure mutual protection. The Counsel recommends allying with Spain (+140) and England (+100), both naval powers and more importantly natural enemies of France. Unfortunately, England and Spain don't much like each other and as a result, their loyalty to any alliance is suspect. I, on the other hand, believe a more effective alliance would be to court Austria (+180), who in addition to having a large standing army, currently holds the crown of the Holy Roman Empire, allowing them to move troops freely in Central Europe, giving them access to us should we ever require their assistance. Whatever your decision, we can’t really go wrong with either choice. As always, I am at your service.
Highest Regards,
Pierre Trottier, Archbishop of Dijon
1 April 1492
To: Counsel of Nobles
I am pleased to report that in January, as per His Majesty’s instructions, we formally requested and were promptly granted entrance into the Austrian-Bohemian alliance. This is especially significant since my spies inform me that 27k French have arrived mid-February in Lyon under General Foix and another 27k French have made camp in Orleans under General La Palice. It is my hope that our new alliance will give the French pause before they do anything...rash.
His majesty has given me virtually a free hand in conducting both internal operations and affairs of state. As a result, I am requesting that you make available 5k cavalry to our armies in both Flanders and Burgoyne. As always, you will be compensated for your efforts.
On some side notes, we have learned that on 24 Feb, Spain annexed the heathen moors in Granada. We sent a letter to King Ferdinand wishing our Catholic brothers the best in converting the heretics to the true faith (+140 to +156). We have also learned that the Turkish hordes have declared war on the equally abominable Mameluks, who currently occupy our most holy of places. May they inflict terrible losses on each other.
I am also pleased to announce that Prince Karl, heir to the Austrian throne, has become enthralled with our King’s niece, Princess Madelaine. They are scheduled to be web on the 8th of this month, preserving for generations the goodwill of our two kingdoms.
1 July 1492
To: His Majesty King Charles II
Your Majesty, as requested I have prepared a mid-year report. Not much news so far. I have commissioned an additional 6k infantry and 3k cavalry in Flanders as the prospect of French invasion looms larger every day. I ordered the Flandres Guard to redeploy to its forward positions in Artois bordering with Paris in case hostilities should break out. I also raised 5k more cavalry in Dijon to make your force better rounded. You should now have at your disposal 30/15/1 to oppose the 54k Frenchies on our borders.
In foreign matters, on 3 May, England DoW on Scotland supported by her Milanese allies. The Spanish turned down England’s request for assistance and their alliance has been broken. In hindsight, your decision to choose Austria was most wise.
Trottier, Archbishop of Dijon
1 Jan 1493
To: His Majesty King Charles II
My annual report is ready for your inspection. Our armies stand at 21/10/0 in Atrois and 30/15/1 in Dijon and our treasury has 293 ducats (260 tax). We currently outnumber the French in standing armies, and it may be time to consider the implementation of the Sherman Plan, which we discussed at length at our last meeting in September. This may prove to be an especially opportune time as my informants have spotted a 40k man strong Spanish force massing in Rousillon on the southern French border.
In other matters, on 8 July 1492, Russia and its allies of Crimea, Ryazan, and Pskov declared war on Russia’s vassal of Kazan...certainly not good news for Kazan or for internal Russian stability. I will continue to monitor developments and report back as needed.
Trottier
1 Jan 1494
To: His Majesty King Charles II
A number of events have taken place this year that are of note, your majesty. On 6 Feb 1493, Sweden cancelled its vassalization from Denmark and promptly DoW’d on them.
We sent a letter in March congratulating the Doge of Venice on the birth of his son (-53 to -3).
On 8 July 1493, Ryazan made peace with Kazan for a small fee of 233 ducats to Kazan.
As per your instructions, in August I sent a letter of warning to the French concerning their troop massings on our borders (-101 to –120). Obviously they didn’t get our full meaning, so on 1 December 1493 I ordered the conscription of 4/2/3 in Artois and 0/0/6 in Burgoyne as well as the sending your letter laying claim to the French throne. Unfortunately, the ambassador was none too happy and stormed out of our meeting (-122 to –200) without ever answering your legitimate claim. With God’s grace, the insolent French will give us a reason to strike. Relatedly, the final touches of the Sherman plan will be in place by June of this year.
Lastly, on 10 September 1493, the Scots bought off the English with 200 ducats, thus ending their little war.
Trottier
Part I: Prelude to Greatness
1 January 1492
To: His Majesty King Charles II:
As has become custom it my honor as Archbishop of Dijon and spokesman for the Counsel of Nobles to give you my annual state of the realm report. As we stand today, 1 Jan 1492, our realm consists of the provinces of Burgoyne, French-Comte, Holland, Friesen, Zeeland, The Hague, Picardie, Flanders, Hainault, Artois, and Luxembourg. Our treasury stand at 400 ducats. Flandres Guard under the command of Colonel Chambly (1/0/1/0) has 15,000 infantry and 2,000 cavalry. The Army of Burgoyne, under your most able command (4/3/3/1) stands at 30,000 infantry, 5,000 cavalry, and 10 artillery pieces. Our navy, currently in port in Amsterdam has 9 warships and 4 transports. We currently have no alliances to maintain and excellent relations with most of the major European powers, save the wretched French.
It is the opinion of the Counsel that our kingdom cannot survive alone, especially since French possessions partition our capital in Dijon from our northern holdings. We believe it necessary to ally ourselves with another of the great powers of Europe, to ensure mutual protection. The Counsel recommends allying with Spain (+140) and England (+100), both naval powers and more importantly natural enemies of France. Unfortunately, England and Spain don't much like each other and as a result, their loyalty to any alliance is suspect. I, on the other hand, believe a more effective alliance would be to court Austria (+180), who in addition to having a large standing army, currently holds the crown of the Holy Roman Empire, allowing them to move troops freely in Central Europe, giving them access to us should we ever require their assistance. Whatever your decision, we can’t really go wrong with either choice. As always, I am at your service.
Highest Regards,
Pierre Trottier, Archbishop of Dijon
1 April 1492
To: Counsel of Nobles
I am pleased to report that in January, as per His Majesty’s instructions, we formally requested and were promptly granted entrance into the Austrian-Bohemian alliance. This is especially significant since my spies inform me that 27k French have arrived mid-February in Lyon under General Foix and another 27k French have made camp in Orleans under General La Palice. It is my hope that our new alliance will give the French pause before they do anything...rash.
His majesty has given me virtually a free hand in conducting both internal operations and affairs of state. As a result, I am requesting that you make available 5k cavalry to our armies in both Flanders and Burgoyne. As always, you will be compensated for your efforts.
On some side notes, we have learned that on 24 Feb, Spain annexed the heathen moors in Granada. We sent a letter to King Ferdinand wishing our Catholic brothers the best in converting the heretics to the true faith (+140 to +156). We have also learned that the Turkish hordes have declared war on the equally abominable Mameluks, who currently occupy our most holy of places. May they inflict terrible losses on each other.
I am also pleased to announce that Prince Karl, heir to the Austrian throne, has become enthralled with our King’s niece, Princess Madelaine. They are scheduled to be web on the 8th of this month, preserving for generations the goodwill of our two kingdoms.
1 July 1492
To: His Majesty King Charles II
Your Majesty, as requested I have prepared a mid-year report. Not much news so far. I have commissioned an additional 6k infantry and 3k cavalry in Flanders as the prospect of French invasion looms larger every day. I ordered the Flandres Guard to redeploy to its forward positions in Artois bordering with Paris in case hostilities should break out. I also raised 5k more cavalry in Dijon to make your force better rounded. You should now have at your disposal 30/15/1 to oppose the 54k Frenchies on our borders.
In foreign matters, on 3 May, England DoW on Scotland supported by her Milanese allies. The Spanish turned down England’s request for assistance and their alliance has been broken. In hindsight, your decision to choose Austria was most wise.
Trottier, Archbishop of Dijon
1 Jan 1493
To: His Majesty King Charles II
My annual report is ready for your inspection. Our armies stand at 21/10/0 in Atrois and 30/15/1 in Dijon and our treasury has 293 ducats (260 tax). We currently outnumber the French in standing armies, and it may be time to consider the implementation of the Sherman Plan, which we discussed at length at our last meeting in September. This may prove to be an especially opportune time as my informants have spotted a 40k man strong Spanish force massing in Rousillon on the southern French border.
In other matters, on 8 July 1492, Russia and its allies of Crimea, Ryazan, and Pskov declared war on Russia’s vassal of Kazan...certainly not good news for Kazan or for internal Russian stability. I will continue to monitor developments and report back as needed.
Trottier
1 Jan 1494
To: His Majesty King Charles II
A number of events have taken place this year that are of note, your majesty. On 6 Feb 1493, Sweden cancelled its vassalization from Denmark and promptly DoW’d on them.
We sent a letter in March congratulating the Doge of Venice on the birth of his son (-53 to -3).
On 8 July 1493, Ryazan made peace with Kazan for a small fee of 233 ducats to Kazan.
As per your instructions, in August I sent a letter of warning to the French concerning their troop massings on our borders (-101 to –120). Obviously they didn’t get our full meaning, so on 1 December 1493 I ordered the conscription of 4/2/3 in Artois and 0/0/6 in Burgoyne as well as the sending your letter laying claim to the French throne. Unfortunately, the ambassador was none too happy and stormed out of our meeting (-122 to –200) without ever answering your legitimate claim. With God’s grace, the insolent French will give us a reason to strike. Relatedly, the final touches of the Sherman plan will be in place by June of this year.
Lastly, on 10 September 1493, the Scots bought off the English with 200 ducats, thus ending their little war.
Trottier
Keep it up!
