IGC 2.3, hard/aggressive, Scotland the only major, Spanish/Austrian Lowlands…
At the time I was designated the advisor of His Majesty James IV, the King of Scotland, our country found itself in a rather bad state. Although we had 25 thousand men in arms, 15 of which in Edinburgh and the rest in Glasgow, the overall quality of our army was behind that of our southern neighbor. Not to talk about our Navy… 5 warships may patrol the seas east of our coast, but if we are ever to think of playing some role in the European affairs, we will definitely need to build many more vessels.
However, one cannot possess high ambitions if the sovereign is not respected in His own country. The first task was thus to ensure that everybody abided the law of His Majesty, to ensure that the rights of common men and merchants were respected, in other words, to ensure the royal treasury will receive its taxes. Therefore, I have advised His Majesty to reduce the expenditures on maintenance of our armies and navy, and on any other activity not aiming at stabilizing our country. It was also of no difficulty to persuade the bishop that the Catholic Church could only benefit if it helped the government of His Majesty in its efforts.
Since we found ourselves in a very difficult situation at home, the logical step was to join some strong military alliance that could balance the English lust for Scottish lands. In May, right after the Treaty of Tordesillas had divided the new lands between Portugal and Spain, our diplomat was sent to Paris on a secret mission. He failed. Fortunately, the English had to take care of the rebellions in Ireland and were thus distracted from carrying out their bloody plans. Slower pace in the international affairs led to success: a royal marriage with France was followed by the success of our diplomacy. On January 1, 1493, we became a member of the alliance consisting of France, Savoy, Papal States, Brittany, Lorraine, and Navarra. Soon the strength of this treaty should undergo a crucial test.
The Continental Wars (1493-1497)
On January 17, Spain has vilely attacked its small neighbor Navarra; our coalition joined the war as one man. Milan, Naples, Cologne and the Palatinat joined the Spanish war struggle, while England dishonored their alliance. Thanks God.
Immediately, the military spending was given the highest priority. One transport ship was also ordered to be built so that we could faster transport our men to the Continent. As soon as we began loading our troops on the warships, a message has arrived: Austria (supported by Bohemia, Hungary, Baden and Wurtenberg) declared war on Milan (with Spain and Palatinat joining). What a great news! In September, the first 5 thousand deployed men under the command of His Majesty James IV himself reached Artois, protected just by a minimal fortification. However, our armies had to pull back as an overwhelming force of 24 thousands Spaniards approached. In October, I was able to report to His Majesty that despite the war, He can consider His kingdom to be fully stabilized. In December, His Majesty again laid siege to Artois. At the beginning of March, 1494, Lorraine was forced to sign peace with Cologne, paying almost 200 gold.
On April 3, even more nations have joined the Continental Wars: Portugal together with its allies Pommerania, Holstein, Hansa and England declared war on Naples. This was the end of the Spanish coalition, as only Spain was willing to help Naples, while Milan, Palatinat, Cologne and Helvetia stayed out of the conflict.
To raise finance for the war, I was forced to take a loan of 200 gold. Hopefully, we will be able to gain some gold back in the peace resolution… In May, our armies have captured Artois and marched to Luxembourg, another Spanish province with only minimal fortress. Having spent half of the loan taken on promoting bailiffs, I had to explain His Majesty the necessity to raise war taxes. Fortunately, the nobility was not too upset, as the possibility of receiving some lands on the Continent was becoming more real with every soldier transported from Edinburgh to Caux.
At the beginning of February, 1495, His Majesty’s great leadership skills caused the fall of Luxembourg into the Scottish hands. Our armies continued their victorious march to Flanders, our main target in this war. In March, Poland with the help of Moldavia attacked Hungary, joined by Austria, Bohemia, Baden, Wurtemberg and Hessen. In April, the first sight of the end of the war appeared as Milan was annexed by Navarra, followed by the peace treaty between Spain and France who acquired Franche Comté. From now on, we cannot rely on the support of France. In May, we lost Artois to Spain. In July and August, the war struggle has brought rather unexpected fruits; the infrastructure level has considerably increased, followed soon after by the invention of metal cannon balls. Our armies will grow in self-confidence and their morale will definitely increase! In October, even Naples were forced to sign a peace treaty with Navarra, paying some 130 gold.
At the beginning of the year 1496, we again laid siege to Artois. On February 9, Antwerpen of the rich province of Flanders was captured. Without taking any rest, the armies led by James IV hasted to Hainaut. On April 3, Cologne was absorbed by the growing power of Navarra. Another war started in June, when the alliance led by Venice attacked Ragusa. September brought hope that our struggle against Spain could come to an end soon, as Artois has surrendered. The only free Spanish province to the north of France, Hainaut, could not resist the join armies of Scotland and Navarra and was captured on November 18 (Fig. 1). The day after, November 19, 1496, the peace treaty was signed directly on the battlefield between Scotland and Spain, who ceded the provinces of Flanders and Hainaut and paid 120 in gold (Fig. 2). For my good service during the war, His Majesty James IV has promoted me to viscount. The war ended for Scotland, with seemingly unexpected success. But soon, more countries were to realize it was the time for the Scottish kingdom to rise.
Fig. 1 Fig. 2
At the time I was designated the advisor of His Majesty James IV, the King of Scotland, our country found itself in a rather bad state. Although we had 25 thousand men in arms, 15 of which in Edinburgh and the rest in Glasgow, the overall quality of our army was behind that of our southern neighbor. Not to talk about our Navy… 5 warships may patrol the seas east of our coast, but if we are ever to think of playing some role in the European affairs, we will definitely need to build many more vessels.
However, one cannot possess high ambitions if the sovereign is not respected in His own country. The first task was thus to ensure that everybody abided the law of His Majesty, to ensure that the rights of common men and merchants were respected, in other words, to ensure the royal treasury will receive its taxes. Therefore, I have advised His Majesty to reduce the expenditures on maintenance of our armies and navy, and on any other activity not aiming at stabilizing our country. It was also of no difficulty to persuade the bishop that the Catholic Church could only benefit if it helped the government of His Majesty in its efforts.
Since we found ourselves in a very difficult situation at home, the logical step was to join some strong military alliance that could balance the English lust for Scottish lands. In May, right after the Treaty of Tordesillas had divided the new lands between Portugal and Spain, our diplomat was sent to Paris on a secret mission. He failed. Fortunately, the English had to take care of the rebellions in Ireland and were thus distracted from carrying out their bloody plans. Slower pace in the international affairs led to success: a royal marriage with France was followed by the success of our diplomacy. On January 1, 1493, we became a member of the alliance consisting of France, Savoy, Papal States, Brittany, Lorraine, and Navarra. Soon the strength of this treaty should undergo a crucial test.
The Continental Wars (1493-1497)
On January 17, Spain has vilely attacked its small neighbor Navarra; our coalition joined the war as one man. Milan, Naples, Cologne and the Palatinat joined the Spanish war struggle, while England dishonored their alliance. Thanks God.
Immediately, the military spending was given the highest priority. One transport ship was also ordered to be built so that we could faster transport our men to the Continent. As soon as we began loading our troops on the warships, a message has arrived: Austria (supported by Bohemia, Hungary, Baden and Wurtenberg) declared war on Milan (with Spain and Palatinat joining). What a great news! In September, the first 5 thousand deployed men under the command of His Majesty James IV himself reached Artois, protected just by a minimal fortification. However, our armies had to pull back as an overwhelming force of 24 thousands Spaniards approached. In October, I was able to report to His Majesty that despite the war, He can consider His kingdom to be fully stabilized. In December, His Majesty again laid siege to Artois. At the beginning of March, 1494, Lorraine was forced to sign peace with Cologne, paying almost 200 gold.
On April 3, even more nations have joined the Continental Wars: Portugal together with its allies Pommerania, Holstein, Hansa and England declared war on Naples. This was the end of the Spanish coalition, as only Spain was willing to help Naples, while Milan, Palatinat, Cologne and Helvetia stayed out of the conflict.
To raise finance for the war, I was forced to take a loan of 200 gold. Hopefully, we will be able to gain some gold back in the peace resolution… In May, our armies have captured Artois and marched to Luxembourg, another Spanish province with only minimal fortress. Having spent half of the loan taken on promoting bailiffs, I had to explain His Majesty the necessity to raise war taxes. Fortunately, the nobility was not too upset, as the possibility of receiving some lands on the Continent was becoming more real with every soldier transported from Edinburgh to Caux.
At the beginning of February, 1495, His Majesty’s great leadership skills caused the fall of Luxembourg into the Scottish hands. Our armies continued their victorious march to Flanders, our main target in this war. In March, Poland with the help of Moldavia attacked Hungary, joined by Austria, Bohemia, Baden, Wurtemberg and Hessen. In April, the first sight of the end of the war appeared as Milan was annexed by Navarra, followed by the peace treaty between Spain and France who acquired Franche Comté. From now on, we cannot rely on the support of France. In May, we lost Artois to Spain. In July and August, the war struggle has brought rather unexpected fruits; the infrastructure level has considerably increased, followed soon after by the invention of metal cannon balls. Our armies will grow in self-confidence and their morale will definitely increase! In October, even Naples were forced to sign a peace treaty with Navarra, paying some 130 gold.
At the beginning of the year 1496, we again laid siege to Artois. On February 9, Antwerpen of the rich province of Flanders was captured. Without taking any rest, the armies led by James IV hasted to Hainaut. On April 3, Cologne was absorbed by the growing power of Navarra. Another war started in June, when the alliance led by Venice attacked Ragusa. September brought hope that our struggle against Spain could come to an end soon, as Artois has surrendered. The only free Spanish province to the north of France, Hainaut, could not resist the join armies of Scotland and Navarra and was captured on November 18 (Fig. 1). The day after, November 19, 1496, the peace treaty was signed directly on the battlefield between Scotland and Spain, who ceded the provinces of Flanders and Hainaut and paid 120 in gold (Fig. 2). For my good service during the war, His Majesty James IV has promoted me to viscount. The war ended for Scotland, with seemingly unexpected success. But soon, more countries were to realize it was the time for the Scottish kingdom to rise.
Fig. 1 Fig. 2
