History of the White Eagle - Poland - Megacampaign AAR - part 2 EU3

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Ethnicity will be most important in Vicky, so long way before me. Generally it will be poor class that will resist conversion most. For example, Polabian language still existed among peasants in Mecklemburg in XIXth century, even though it was part of Germany since 1100s.

New update in a few minutes, it was a while since I wrote so don`t expect too much. I also made an attempt to write narrative part - it`s bad, it`s poor, but it`s first narrative thing that I wrote ever, plus in foreign language that I still fail to master properly - treat it as a training.

 

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HISTORY OF THE WHITE EAGLE

Stanisław I
1475 - 1485

Part I

​

Stanisław was tired of the three-day long coronation ceremonies. He was no longer in his young years, and health seemed to abandon him lately. However, he knew how important it was to cultivate the old traditions. Such display of wealth shown commoners and nobles alike, that the kingdom remained strong.

He sat in the council chamber with most trusted men of his deceased father`s employ.

Old hetman Żółkiewski continued "... so our standing army is almost non existent. Your father-king, God`s light shine upon his soul, lowered scutage so much, that our noble lords are sending only token amount of men to serve in times of peace. I`m also afraid what would happen should event of war occur.."

"Enough lord hetman. I wanted to hear just brief opinion of yours." king said flatly. "What you have to say, lord Koniecpolski? Just be brief and to the point." he asked royal treasurer.

"Your highness, in a few words - our trade suffers from enormous taxation, foreign merchants prefer to avoid our country if they could, and our craftsmen fail to sell as much as they should. There is also a matter of Church Estates, they had grown to enormous size in recent years, and..."

"Your highness! This is outrage" Archbishop of Gniezno protested but king raised his hand to quiet him.

"Listen what I have to say. It were noble houses that helped my father to overthrow his brother-tyrant, and it was knighthood that repelled Hungarian invaders and their allies 11 years ago. Strong noble houses and the Holy Church are the only guarantors of our glorious future. Their rightful privileges shall not be threatened!" Stanisław begun to cough again, and he felt pain deep inside his chest.

He looked at his treasurer and hetman. They were both old, and they didn`t fit into his plans, and new reality. They were no longer of use.

"Lord Koniecpolski. You served my father well for all those past years. Yet, I have to thank you for your service and send you to retire."

"But, your highness.." Koniecpolski looked at him with disbelief.

"Count Tomasz Herman, brother of his eminence, will replace you at your office". Archbishop of Krakow smiled faintly at these words.

He waved them off - the council was over.

King Stanisław was 35 years old when he inherited the throne. During his youth he witnessed the terrible civil war between his uncle Konrad and his father. Victory of Władysław Fair-haired and noble houses shaped views of 17 years old Stanisław - in his mind, vast privileges of the noble lords and limited power of the king were integral part of the 'divine order'. He was married to Emilia Herman, daughter of Count of Kuyavia and sister of Andrzej, bishop of Kuyavia. His wife gave him only one son - Jan, born in year 1468. By the year 1474 his brother-in-law risen to rank of the Archbishop of Gniezno and Primate of Poland. He became closest ally and advisor of Stanisław.

During last years of Władysław`s reign, realm slowly emerged from chaos and ruin. Thanks to policy of his skilled treasurer Janusz Koniecpolski, king managed to pay all his loans. It was achieved by high tax imposed on cities, that unfortunately also halted their growth. When Stanisław became king, Koniecpolski urged him to lower taxes and tolls, once royal debt has been paid, but without success. Office of treasurer was granted to brother of Archbishop of Gniezno, and de facto fell under his influence and control.

In the years 1458-1475 power and influence of the Church increased significantly. Almost third part of all estates in the realm belonged to the Catholic hierarchy, and they weren`t obliged to pay any taxes, nor to send any troops to the king. Wealth of bishops and archbishops increased even more due to growth of simony, which included bribery, corruption and selling of indulgences. Such practices were officially condemned by the Church, but they weren`t eagerly fought. There were even rumours that Archbishop-Primate Andrzej Herman bought his rank with gold of his father. King Stanisław did nothing to limit power of the Church, and he granted clergy even more privileges, as well as new estates in the east, where Orthodox faith was often still professed.

However, with privileged position of the Church and nobles, king found it difficult to keep constant income of gold into the royal treasury. To find new funds, he increased taxes imposed on cities, as well as various tolls, even more. Unfortunately, it meant blow to craftsmanship and trade, which became unprofitable and soon there was almost nothing to impose tax on. Such situation was conductive to smuggling, which was spreading like plague across the kingdom. To fill holes in the budget, royal mint simply produced more coin.

While king relied upon advice of his counsellors in internal affairs, he concentrated his attention on diplomacy. In general, neighbours of Poland were neutral or hostile. Biggest enemies were kingdoms of Hungary and Germany, both of them still held lands claimed by Piasts. It turned out that best and natural ally would be Maximilian I Babenberg of Austria. Archduke neighboured with Arpads and Frankens just like Stanisław, and there was little love between those houses. Maximilian was elected Emperor in year 1472 as a counterweight to power of von Frankens in Germany. On the other hand he still possessed large areas claimed by Hungary. Thus in July 1475 military alliance between Poland and Austria has been formally declared.

Strengthened, Babenbergs continued to reinforce their presence in the region of eastern Alps. In year 1476 they formally annexed their vassal - Duchy of Styria. Year later, they declared war on Tirol, claiming the region for themselves. Stanisław decided to send small help to his allies, but he found it difficult to assemble even a small force. Most of the nobles either, decided to pay token price to evade sending their men, or delayed their march for whole weeks. In the end king gathered only several thousand strong force of town-militia and mercenaries. Austro-Polish forces defeated small Tirolean army with ease, and Archduke received Friulia after peace negotiations.

Royal diplomacy was also active elsewhere. Holy Father Xhystus X was almost 80 years old, and it became apparent that Holy See would have to choose his successor at any moment. King strongly supported candidature of Archbishop Herman, who already gathered strong support among cardinals. Another important decision of Polish diplomacy at that time, was guarantee for Tver and Hungary, that in case of Tatar attack Poland would come with help. Several factors led to this decision, but mostly it was growth of Muslim power in the east. In year 1478 vast armies of Golden Horde, allied with Timurids, invaded Hungary. Stanisław fulfilled his promises, and joined war...

 

[coz1]

I was hoping to catch up on the earlier updates that I missed while I was away but unfortunately your pretty,pretty maps are no longer showing. Says you've exceeded your bandwidth at photobucket. Double .

However, the story is moving along and I see you buddying up to the BWB, just as it gets blobbier. Not a bad move. And now war with the Golden Horde. Nice.

 

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I was hoping to catch up on the earlier updates that I missed while I was away but unfortunately your pretty,pretty maps are no longer showing. Says you've exceeded your bandwidth at photobucket. Double .

However, the story is moving along and I see you buddying up to the BWB, just as it gets blobbier. Not a bad move. And now war with the Golden Horde. Nice.

I exceeded monthly bandwidth in photobucket by twice it`s size :wacko: . My account should reset tomorrow, and I hope that images will be once again available for good.

 

[gooy]

yeah finally

that war in the ending looks a bit frightening. the golden horde and the timurids can cause trouble especially when you can't raise much troops. and i guess you can't reach most of their territory anyway. unless hungary is strong you'll probably be lucky to get a white peace.

god bless stanisław I !!

 

[EvilSanta]

What in game factors do you have behind with the power of clergy and nobles and you unable to raise taxes/troops? Some MM events?

In any case, allying with Big White Blob is definitely beneficial to you, especially with them evil Mongols knocking your backdoor.

 

[Emperor_krk]

At last!
A new update!
So, the economy of Poland is in troubles? Screw the nobles... I've always hated them.
Hopefully you'll be able to defeat the Mongols - if I remember correctly, last time you were able mostly due to their internal troubles. What will it look like this time?

 

[unmerged(59077)]

Coming to the aid of Hungary?

Tsk. They had it coming!

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Favouring noble and church rights seems to be the makings of a long-term problem...

Escellent roleplaying...takes a lot of nerve to keep pursuing a less-than-optimal strategy...

 

[TheExecuter]

A new power is rising. Its victory is at hand! This night, the land will be stained with the blood of infidels! March to the East! Leave none alive!

To War!



Seriously though...those nobles better be brought in-line somehow. Perhaps some honey with the stick? We'll need their men.

You did quite well with the narrative section. I am impressed.

"Your highness, in a few words - our trade suffers from enormous taxation, foreign merchants prefer to avoid our country if they could, and our craftsmen fail to sell as much as they should. There is also a matter of Church Estates, they had grown to enormous size in recent years, and..."

This is a particularly difficult section to write correctly, and you handled it well. Good work!

TheExecuter

 

[gigau]

Thanks... a long wait, but worth it. Keep it coming, i want to know what comes next

 

[Elias Tarfarius]

Great return, TM! It looks as if Poland is actually in someways worse off then its rl counterpart in this same era. If this keeps going, I predict a radical, Calvinist, noble republic in Poland before 1600 or even 1550.

ET

 

[Legolas]

Great update! I like how your Poland paralels OTLs Poland in so many ways, but still remains interesting. However, if you cannot manage to keep the nobles and the clergy in check, it may become very difficult to survive any longer... Maybe if Archbishop Herman gets elected as Pope and disappears to Vatican, the clergy at home could be subjugated?

 

[Emperor_krk]

Maybe if Archbishop Herman gets elected as Pope and disappears to Vatican, the clergy at home could be subjugated?

Don't think so. He might go as far as trying to impose the Holy See's political will on the Polish king.

If this keeps going, I predict a radical, Calvinist, noble republic in Poland before 1600 or even 1550.

I had similar thoughts when I first read the update... A Polish Cromwell in the beginning of the 17th century? Why not?

 

[Capibara]

Woo! An update finally. Great one there. So we're having war againt the Timurids and Mongols, hope they're crushed!

 

[Woody Man]

I had similar thoughts when I first read the update... A Polish Cromwell in the beginning of the 17th century? Why not?

This would be good to see, Poland could do with less clergy and Aristocracy at the moment, the rampant taxes and inflation are never good...

 

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Attempting to control the church? That's extremely tedious and expensive thing in MMG - tried that, my Castille (and later Spain) almost went bancrupt because they are dying every 5-10 years or so. But RP is RP - if you feel like it, go for it - I expect your monarchs having same amount of trouble with keeping Rome under control as I had.

Embrace humanist secularism I say, go nuts with reformation.

 

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the update we've all been waiting for! it's very good, hopefully your alliance with the Babenburg Austria will be productive.

 

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I don't like Stanislaw I. I hope that next king will repair situation of cities and reduce power of nobles and church. BTW: update as good as always

 

[einfall]

Is "hetman" now officially introduced as polish military leader then?

 

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I think about a absolutist Poland about year 1550.