well, dark ages of Sweden has passed, and our greatest fear, Denmark neighbor is behind.
Since beginning of our joining Sweden for reigning it in 1505, we were afraid of Denmark very much. Poor economy, lack of manpower, no near leaders, and neighbor, who tends to be warmonger - that made a sense of our strategy and diplomacy. We followed politic of other countries, specially with any mad offer of Denmark like: splitting baltic lands, releasing TO for it`s event, anti-german alliance, attacking Russia for poland lands, taking Bremen and Hannover and so on. Sweden looked for any ways not to be killed by Otto and Daniel, finally everything is behind.
King John, the ruler of Denmark unpleasantly suprised us by good trade skill, but finally Sweden had usually 1.5 times less income and that suits okay unless Denmark leaders would attack us. Finally that happen, Sweden was a bit stubborn, while could be sneaky by producing false - Denmark asked to sell Kurland for not big number of ducats, and the best solution would be to delay the deal until the end of session, but Sweden decided to be proud, and was attacked in 1566. We knew, that we need to survive for 4 years, because there were no chance to struggle with Daniel The Shocker Six with our economic and manpower. Denmark didn`t use all benefits of tactic that could make our life much harder, and Sweden did everything able almost ideally. Several sieges were kicked, and some infantry annihilated, and we could not make fight directly with Daniel for almost 3 years. Bremen and Hannover were sieged and captured without resistance at all - Sweden perfectly understood the role of this provinces, when Denmark offers us to join them - we just got income from them for 30 years, and that was very important for swedish economic.
Big loss was Danzig, but finally risk of unoading troops to Danzig to kick sieges was too much big, because danish fleet sailed around and could block us there forever without chance to return to homeland. That gives majority of warscore points to Denmark and that was key to make us peace later.
After several unsuccessful attempts to capture any province at baltic or sweden, Denmark found out Daniel is very fine for assaulting. Really Sweden couldn`t resist this point at all also, because 16K infantry with Daniel could assault small forts, but we worked to delay assaulting as much as possible (Denmark finally assaulted only two forts). In fact three small tactical mistakes were done - first time we attacked Daniel with half maitenance, second time we suddently clicked (and initiated by lag), so troops retreated from Svealand instead of fighting there against danish minority. And when we were moved to final attack newcomer monarch Hans (2-3-2) leaded the army instead of better leader (4-3-4) and the battle was lost in shock phase.
Finally Denmark could gain warscore for stabhitting, and Sweden was pleased to be given Bremen and Hannover, useless strategic lands for us for now. We saved key provinces, and Denmark lost leaders advantage forever. Without leader Denmark wouldn`t able to capture 2 south swedish province, that allowed finally to stabhit for 2 provinces, and honestly, if Denmark continue sieging, i was hoped a lots to kick Denmark forces back coz higher morale after death of Daniel in 27 dec 1569.
Now Sweden laughs at Denmark attempts to settle peace by pointing on rich Iberians and mightly Russia (our good friend). Sweden executed almost all denmark wishes for many ages, and Denmark kicked all that in a moment and started sudden attack. This behavoir can not be trusted, and we finally come out from shadow, having leader and morale advantages. Sweden knows very good how to use it`s advantage against wealth and fleet of Denmark, and tactical moves are open book for us... It is very sad that Denmark war with England brought King John to decision of galleys building, otherwise Sweden would control sea for first months of offensive war and would win campaign (we put in shadow 40 built galleys, sure there shouldn`t be completely hidden, but we hoped much of them won`t be noticed). But now we are going harder way, and we feel ourself enough strong not to let Denmark go without compensation.
Busy King of Sweden,
Tonio
