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The Duke’s idiocy
From the war with the Dutch not only was France despised, Guise’s status as national hero was replaced as being the most hated man in France. Guise needed something to inspire the people, The completion of Iberian conquest seemed the perfect idea. He began to make his plans, a large Spanish army, complete with leader was present to guard Madrid and Phillip II.
By 56 Guise was ready, unfortunately the Spanish army slipped by him before he could move in, instead Bourbon was sent as the advance guard and Guise to lead reinforcements, by Battles in Guise was not needed and instead opted to invade Portugal, who had led half of Europe into combat with France. England also declared war bringing in the Austrians, the fight for survival would now begin.
By December with their grand army reduced Spain accepts a white peace, the French had larger fish to fry by then. Calais was taken and a white peace was signed with England. Now the annexation of Portugal was the main goal of Guise.
In 57 Algrave fell, but so did Guise, shortly upon his arrival at the gates of Lisbon. He was not missed or mourned, (By the people I needed his siege bonus for the Medium fortress so I was crying).
From the war with the Dutch not only was France despised, Guise’s status as national hero was replaced as being the most hated man in France. Guise needed something to inspire the people, The completion of Iberian conquest seemed the perfect idea. He began to make his plans, a large Spanish army, complete with leader was present to guard Madrid and Phillip II.
By 56 Guise was ready, unfortunately the Spanish army slipped by him before he could move in, instead Bourbon was sent as the advance guard and Guise to lead reinforcements, by Battles in Guise was not needed and instead opted to invade Portugal, who had led half of Europe into combat with France. England also declared war bringing in the Austrians, the fight for survival would now begin.
By December with their grand army reduced Spain accepts a white peace, the French had larger fish to fry by then. Calais was taken and a white peace was signed with England. Now the annexation of Portugal was the main goal of Guise.
In 57 Algrave fell, but so did Guise, shortly upon his arrival at the gates of Lisbon. He was not missed or mourned, (By the people I needed his siege bonus for the Medium fortress so I was crying).
Verennes
War minister Verennes was an up and coming commander in the kings army. He exercised his authority and tactical superiority across many battles as an advisor to the Duke. Now with the Duke’s death it fell to Verennes to clean up the mess. A white peace was signed with Great Britain, isolating the Portuguese. But they refused to give up the capital, worse the Elector of Hanover arrived to steal the siege and the troops withdrew. The navy was called fourth and in the battle at the Straight of Gibraltar the Portuguese fleet was destroyed the French picked up the maps the Portuguese left.
In 1559 Francois II took over the government. An attack on Tangiers was planned, carried out and failed by years end. It was finally agreed that peace was needed if anything was to be done, the only problem was that England once more attacked as Catherine Meddici took over the government. The Italian queen was not the ideal ruler. And religious turmoil was widespread. By 1562 in the midst of a Dutch Revolution which took all of French lands in the Lowlands and almost all of the Austrian Lowlands (save Artois) the French provinces of Cologne and Pfalz were isolated.
In 1562 the Calvinists finally revolted en masse, just as the Bank of France was created. In three years almost all of Iberia was in revolt, and nothing could be done on the English front. Finally peace was declared when Karoo and 250 ducats from the treasury were ceded, it was into this environment that Catherine promoted Verennes to Regent Marshal of France.
A almost bankrupt country with the southern lands torn in revolt. It was going to be a task.
War minister Verennes was an up and coming commander in the kings army. He exercised his authority and tactical superiority across many battles as an advisor to the Duke. Now with the Duke’s death it fell to Verennes to clean up the mess. A white peace was signed with Great Britain, isolating the Portuguese. But they refused to give up the capital, worse the Elector of Hanover arrived to steal the siege and the troops withdrew. The navy was called fourth and in the battle at the Straight of Gibraltar the Portuguese fleet was destroyed the French picked up the maps the Portuguese left.
In 1559 Francois II took over the government. An attack on Tangiers was planned, carried out and failed by years end. It was finally agreed that peace was needed if anything was to be done, the only problem was that England once more attacked as Catherine Meddici took over the government. The Italian queen was not the ideal ruler. And religious turmoil was widespread. By 1562 in the midst of a Dutch Revolution which took all of French lands in the Lowlands and almost all of the Austrian Lowlands (save Artois) the French provinces of Cologne and Pfalz were isolated.
In 1562 the Calvinists finally revolted en masse, just as the Bank of France was created. In three years almost all of Iberia was in revolt, and nothing could be done on the English front. Finally peace was declared when Karoo and 250 ducats from the treasury were ceded, it was into this environment that Catherine promoted Verennes to Regent Marshal of France.
A almost bankrupt country with the southern lands torn in revolt. It was going to be a task.
The Age of Vergennes
The first action was to take a count of the men under arms. Lord Admiral Primaguet led the great French Navy, Coligny was in command of the forces in Iberia, and Montmorency was responsible for guarding the north. In August Coligney died while trying to liberate Iberia from Rebel hands.
Little did Vergennes expect that soon after coming to power France would erupt into Civil War (67). Central & Northern France erupted, Iberia was once more launched into chaos, the son of the last Savoyard king came to power in Savoy. But the most shocking blow came when General Montmorency declared himself Emperor of Western Europe. With Northern army he marched along the Seine choosing Picardie as his capital.
In December a hastily drafter French army met Montmorency outside of Paris, the general defeated the government troops but it served as a well enough distraction for a withdraw to Orleans. It was a well planned retreat but the defenders of Paris capitulated in early January.
Queen Catherine died from complications of falling into the Seine during the escape. King Charles IX was crowned king in Orleans.
The army of Iberia however remained loyal and liberated the Peninsula by August. Another army was constructed to save the temporary capital but due to miscalculations they arrived tardy and once more the court fled. This time across the Loire river. The army arrived a mere month later the self proclaimed emperor abandoned his men and fled to Picardie.
The remnant of the troops from the liberating force moved to the south. In 1569 the Pope decalred the church was right and that all Protestants should be converted. We can do nothing at the moment because currently we are hundreds of miles from the capital and rebels run rampant. Thankfully the Army Du Roi freed Southern France and was now crossing the Rhone to liberate French Italy.
In October King Charles was once more crowned King of All France the House of Savoy was put to death and the resistance points of the false Emperor was down to Picardie. June 9, 1571 the kingdom is once more at peace. The false Emperor was found hiding under his bed in his home when French troops stormed his capital. The liberators put the house to the torch killing the pretender.
The first action was to take a count of the men under arms. Lord Admiral Primaguet led the great French Navy, Coligny was in command of the forces in Iberia, and Montmorency was responsible for guarding the north. In August Coligney died while trying to liberate Iberia from Rebel hands.
Little did Vergennes expect that soon after coming to power France would erupt into Civil War (67). Central & Northern France erupted, Iberia was once more launched into chaos, the son of the last Savoyard king came to power in Savoy. But the most shocking blow came when General Montmorency declared himself Emperor of Western Europe. With Northern army he marched along the Seine choosing Picardie as his capital.
In December a hastily drafter French army met Montmorency outside of Paris, the general defeated the government troops but it served as a well enough distraction for a withdraw to Orleans. It was a well planned retreat but the defenders of Paris capitulated in early January.
Queen Catherine died from complications of falling into the Seine during the escape. King Charles IX was crowned king in Orleans.
The army of Iberia however remained loyal and liberated the Peninsula by August. Another army was constructed to save the temporary capital but due to miscalculations they arrived tardy and once more the court fled. This time across the Loire river. The army arrived a mere month later the self proclaimed emperor abandoned his men and fled to Picardie.
The remnant of the troops from the liberating force moved to the south. In 1569 the Pope decalred the church was right and that all Protestants should be converted. We can do nothing at the moment because currently we are hundreds of miles from the capital and rebels run rampant. Thankfully the Army Du Roi freed Southern France and was now crossing the Rhone to liberate French Italy.
In October King Charles was once more crowned King of All France the House of Savoy was put to death and the resistance points of the false Emperor was down to Picardie. June 9, 1571 the kingdom is once more at peace. The false Emperor was found hiding under his bed in his home when French troops stormed his capital. The liberators put the house to the torch killing the pretender.
Way to handle those rebel sum. Did Montmercy declare an independent nation from Picardie? If so, what was it?
zacharym87 said:
nah, I just used it for story crap, he did defect to rebels though, that peeved me a good deal.
The House of Bourbon.
Henri of Navarre was stationed in Lisbon, he was a close relative to the king, and a possible heir to the throne of France. As a matter of fact he had everything that a king would need: charm, intelligence, and a mind for reform. The one thing he lacked was any fame, other than surviving Catherine’s St. Bartholomew Day Massacre. On the other hand, his closest competition for the throne had everything Henri had and what he lacked.
Guise was resorting to his old games again, he forced the resignation of Vergennes and took over his duties. Following this he ordered the army of the north (around twenty thousand) to meet his own at Champagne to block the Dutch coming in from Luxemburg, at the same time he ordered twenty thousand conscripts in Paris to reinforce. Guise had come back, and once more became the most famous, influential, and respected man in France.
It was Guise who met with Wilhelm just a few days before his army reached French homeland. Without a drop of blood Guise ceded Cologne to the Dutch. Rather than suffer a setback in popularity he received a victory parade through Paris. He left the north stronger then he found it with a forty thousand man army while he moved to the south to prepare for future operations.
Meanwhile working with the navy and using Portugal’s maps their island stronghold was discovered but it could not bet taken, with this in mind peace was signed for Tangiers, and Algrave. In a letter from the king I received nothing more than a verbal pat on the back.
Over the next three years, relations were brought up with the allies, and Guise exercised his control over France and Italy. In name I share power but in actuality my power is limited to Iberia, but I am responsible for coordinating movements between the navy and the army. In the planned war I would be responsible for adding the exclamation point to the peace that in theory would grant us Italy in a quick decisive war. War was declared at the end of the year 1584.
In December England declares war bringing in Austria, Hungary, and the Dutch.
Phase one: The initial defeats.
Guise the great hero died shortly after beginning the war, his army still managed to take Genoa. With him gone all of France looked for a great leader, unfortunately they did not look to Iberia where I was defeated by the Spaniards. The Italian army was doing well, they had avoided the army of Spain under the leadership of an unknown general. Instead they moved south to take Naples. By the end of the war the Army du Roi had taken Naples, while Spain had taken Milan and Estradamus. A coalition of Austrian and Dutch forces meanwhile destroyed the garrison at Pfalz and soon the Dutch took that land as well.
The year 86 was phase 2, The Dutch phase.
The idea was to knock Austria out of the war early on so that two large armies would not be rampaging through France. Artois was taken, and once more served as a sufficient peace to convince the Austrians to peace out. It however remains a buffer between France and the Dutch Republic and will become a target in future wars.
A heavy war was being fought against Morocco, many French lives have been lost in defending Tangiers, but even more heathens fell when they tried to take it. So with this in mind the Moroccans requested a white peace, but they should not for one second think that France will forget they’re attack on the French forces.
Meanwhile in the north two armies one of twenty thousand took Flanderes, and one of twelve thousand took Calais. The process of attacking the Lowlands continues.
Phase 3: The slow phase.
The Spanish armies disappeared and Bourbon moved in to take the capital and liberate Estradamus. Luxemburg was taken as was the Hainut in the Lowlands. Meanwhile Helvetia was taken by the Dutch and Hungarians, all attempts to uproot the enemy failed. Reinforcements arrived from Italy when the war with Venice resulted in stalemate on all sides. But even these men could not defeat the Dutch until the next phase of the war.
The Lord Admiral of the French fleet died, but his replacement was competent enough. Although Henri no longer had any competition for the throne he was still unknown. If he was going to gain France completely and without questions he would have to be equal, no; surpass Guise’s celebrity status. It was to this end that an idea began to formulate and I boarded my army into the fleet and requested reinforcements be ready in Normandie (that should tell you the plan).
In February 1588 (No the irony is not lost on me) the French fleet arrived in The Channel and Henri Bourbon landed on the English mainland unopposed. All of the sudden the people of France had their hero. Bringing the fight to England in order to gain peace. By the next year the Southwest corner of the island was taken, and King Henri III died. However opposition in Paris over the king being a Calvinist was heavy. So it was that Henri returned to Paris to the Cathedral were he converted to Catholicism. When he arrived in England once more he met with Queen Elizabeth.
When she asked why he converted he responded coolly, “Paris is worth a mass.” She nodded and signed a peace which gave Cologne to Hessen, and Calais to France. The two spent much time together and rumours began to spread that the two had an affair.
Henri of Navarre was stationed in Lisbon, he was a close relative to the king, and a possible heir to the throne of France. As a matter of fact he had everything that a king would need: charm, intelligence, and a mind for reform. The one thing he lacked was any fame, other than surviving Catherine’s St. Bartholomew Day Massacre. On the other hand, his closest competition for the throne had everything Henri had and what he lacked.
Guise was resorting to his old games again, he forced the resignation of Vergennes and took over his duties. Following this he ordered the army of the north (around twenty thousand) to meet his own at Champagne to block the Dutch coming in from Luxemburg, at the same time he ordered twenty thousand conscripts in Paris to reinforce. Guise had come back, and once more became the most famous, influential, and respected man in France.
It was Guise who met with Wilhelm just a few days before his army reached French homeland. Without a drop of blood Guise ceded Cologne to the Dutch. Rather than suffer a setback in popularity he received a victory parade through Paris. He left the north stronger then he found it with a forty thousand man army while he moved to the south to prepare for future operations.
Meanwhile working with the navy and using Portugal’s maps their island stronghold was discovered but it could not bet taken, with this in mind peace was signed for Tangiers, and Algrave. In a letter from the king I received nothing more than a verbal pat on the back.
Over the next three years, relations were brought up with the allies, and Guise exercised his control over France and Italy. In name I share power but in actuality my power is limited to Iberia, but I am responsible for coordinating movements between the navy and the army. In the planned war I would be responsible for adding the exclamation point to the peace that in theory would grant us Italy in a quick decisive war. War was declared at the end of the year 1584.
In December England declares war bringing in Austria, Hungary, and the Dutch.
Phase one: The initial defeats.
Guise the great hero died shortly after beginning the war, his army still managed to take Genoa. With him gone all of France looked for a great leader, unfortunately they did not look to Iberia where I was defeated by the Spaniards. The Italian army was doing well, they had avoided the army of Spain under the leadership of an unknown general. Instead they moved south to take Naples. By the end of the war the Army du Roi had taken Naples, while Spain had taken Milan and Estradamus. A coalition of Austrian and Dutch forces meanwhile destroyed the garrison at Pfalz and soon the Dutch took that land as well.
The year 86 was phase 2, The Dutch phase.
The idea was to knock Austria out of the war early on so that two large armies would not be rampaging through France. Artois was taken, and once more served as a sufficient peace to convince the Austrians to peace out. It however remains a buffer between France and the Dutch Republic and will become a target in future wars.
A heavy war was being fought against Morocco, many French lives have been lost in defending Tangiers, but even more heathens fell when they tried to take it. So with this in mind the Moroccans requested a white peace, but they should not for one second think that France will forget they’re attack on the French forces.
Meanwhile in the north two armies one of twenty thousand took Flanderes, and one of twelve thousand took Calais. The process of attacking the Lowlands continues.
Phase 3: The slow phase.
The Spanish armies disappeared and Bourbon moved in to take the capital and liberate Estradamus. Luxemburg was taken as was the Hainut in the Lowlands. Meanwhile Helvetia was taken by the Dutch and Hungarians, all attempts to uproot the enemy failed. Reinforcements arrived from Italy when the war with Venice resulted in stalemate on all sides. But even these men could not defeat the Dutch until the next phase of the war.
The Lord Admiral of the French fleet died, but his replacement was competent enough. Although Henri no longer had any competition for the throne he was still unknown. If he was going to gain France completely and without questions he would have to be equal, no; surpass Guise’s celebrity status. It was to this end that an idea began to formulate and I boarded my army into the fleet and requested reinforcements be ready in Normandie (that should tell you the plan).
In February 1588 (No the irony is not lost on me) the French fleet arrived in The Channel and Henri Bourbon landed on the English mainland unopposed. All of the sudden the people of France had their hero. Bringing the fight to England in order to gain peace. By the next year the Southwest corner of the island was taken, and King Henri III died. However opposition in Paris over the king being a Calvinist was heavy. So it was that Henri returned to Paris to the Cathedral were he converted to Catholicism. When he arrived in England once more he met with Queen Elizabeth.
When she asked why he converted he responded coolly, “Paris is worth a mass.” She nodded and signed a peace which gave Cologne to Hessen, and Calais to France. The two spent much time together and rumours began to spread that the two had an affair.
Eleven Years of Warfare
After bringing the Great War to its conclusion with his invasion of England, Henri retired from leading the Grand Armee in 1590. Having proven himself on the battlefield Henri turned to the domestic needs of France, his plans to build a colonial empire involved annexing all of the land called Quebec, and then occupying lands controlled by British traders. An alliance with Prussia was put into effect further promoting that France is in fact the protector of the Holy Roman Empire against the Habsburg oppression. The Prussian Elector took the Pope’s place by the side of the King of France, the Papal states having met it’s fate at the hands of Spain, and The Pope being dragged to Madrid. Henri considered getting the Pontiff back from Ransom but Pope’s tend to cause problems. Henri meanwhile issued the Edict of Nantze declaring that Protestants could worship freely in France.
Henri’s plan called for at the very least five years of peace, the plan of Europe was to give him less than two. The Emperor Rudolph II decided to answer the charges against him and put Henri on the spot, he declared war on Prussia in 1592. On Austria’s side came the Dutch Republic, England, and Hungary; Spain led Portugal in an attack, and Morocco, financed by European gold we suspect, led Algiers in an attack.
The European Theatre
It was perhaps the best fought war in recent memory, it succeeded in all parts, Austria was beaten in a few short years. The troops of the kingdom marched in and destroyed everything in their path, the navy sent reinforcements in a steady stream to Africa, this would be total victory.
In 1594 the French forces defeated the Habsburg general known as Karl, sending him scurrying across the Rhine. In central Germany major gains were made and Lorraine, Baden, Tyrol, and Artois were occupyed, eager to get out of the major war and finish of Morocco the French government took Tyrol, eliminating what was left of the Austrian dominance in Italy, and Baden.
In 1595 the object once more became Italy, the army of Italia had faired quite well taking Rome and Florence, Portugal was holding strong and would take much longer than Henri was willing to sacrifice therefor when Spain offered Rome for peace, Henri accepted. France now had the seat of power for all Italy.
Africa
The intended Grande African Army was by European standards mediocre at best, training and the mere number of men were few. By African standards this ten thousand was a force to reckoned with, indeed the initial wave of forty plus thousand heretics was stopped and turned back. But even the best will be defeated and the people of Tangiers were besieged. A new force arrived from Iberia, with funds now going to ending the war in Africa troops transports came in annually, the Muslims were once more defeated. In the counter attack Casablanca fell to the French troops, and Algiers was forced out of the war. Toubalk was taken and there was just one province keeping France from the prize, but the Sahara would not fall.
The Pope issued the Edict of Tolerance in 1598, it was the only good news Henri received in a long time. The armies were forced out of the desert just as the massive army from Agliers was set to arrived. By 1600 the war was about to be abandoned when the English once more made a power play, easily the best move they could make at that time. Cutting his losses Henri accepted peace with Morocco and took Toubalk for peace.
Winding down the war
It was with this going on that England declared war on France, further convincing Henri to make peace with Islam, if only for the moment. In this time of chaos the allies of France came to the aid of the great country. The Dutch Republic was forced out of the war by May 1600. Much of Austria was occupied in the two years of warfare, but revolters were prominent across all of France, so Thuringen was given to Bavaria and all was one more quite. England was paid off, and finally France is in peace.
After bringing the Great War to its conclusion with his invasion of England, Henri retired from leading the Grand Armee in 1590. Having proven himself on the battlefield Henri turned to the domestic needs of France, his plans to build a colonial empire involved annexing all of the land called Quebec, and then occupying lands controlled by British traders. An alliance with Prussia was put into effect further promoting that France is in fact the protector of the Holy Roman Empire against the Habsburg oppression. The Prussian Elector took the Pope’s place by the side of the King of France, the Papal states having met it’s fate at the hands of Spain, and The Pope being dragged to Madrid. Henri considered getting the Pontiff back from Ransom but Pope’s tend to cause problems. Henri meanwhile issued the Edict of Nantze declaring that Protestants could worship freely in France.
Henri’s plan called for at the very least five years of peace, the plan of Europe was to give him less than two. The Emperor Rudolph II decided to answer the charges against him and put Henri on the spot, he declared war on Prussia in 1592. On Austria’s side came the Dutch Republic, England, and Hungary; Spain led Portugal in an attack, and Morocco, financed by European gold we suspect, led Algiers in an attack.
The European Theatre
It was perhaps the best fought war in recent memory, it succeeded in all parts, Austria was beaten in a few short years. The troops of the kingdom marched in and destroyed everything in their path, the navy sent reinforcements in a steady stream to Africa, this would be total victory.
In 1594 the French forces defeated the Habsburg general known as Karl, sending him scurrying across the Rhine. In central Germany major gains were made and Lorraine, Baden, Tyrol, and Artois were occupyed, eager to get out of the major war and finish of Morocco the French government took Tyrol, eliminating what was left of the Austrian dominance in Italy, and Baden.
In 1595 the object once more became Italy, the army of Italia had faired quite well taking Rome and Florence, Portugal was holding strong and would take much longer than Henri was willing to sacrifice therefor when Spain offered Rome for peace, Henri accepted. France now had the seat of power for all Italy.
Africa
The intended Grande African Army was by European standards mediocre at best, training and the mere number of men were few. By African standards this ten thousand was a force to reckoned with, indeed the initial wave of forty plus thousand heretics was stopped and turned back. But even the best will be defeated and the people of Tangiers were besieged. A new force arrived from Iberia, with funds now going to ending the war in Africa troops transports came in annually, the Muslims were once more defeated. In the counter attack Casablanca fell to the French troops, and Algiers was forced out of the war. Toubalk was taken and there was just one province keeping France from the prize, but the Sahara would not fall.
The Pope issued the Edict of Tolerance in 1598, it was the only good news Henri received in a long time. The armies were forced out of the desert just as the massive army from Agliers was set to arrived. By 1600 the war was about to be abandoned when the English once more made a power play, easily the best move they could make at that time. Cutting his losses Henri accepted peace with Morocco and took Toubalk for peace.
Winding down the war
It was with this going on that England declared war on France, further convincing Henri to make peace with Islam, if only for the moment. In this time of chaos the allies of France came to the aid of the great country. The Dutch Republic was forced out of the war by May 1600. Much of Austria was occupied in the two years of warfare, but revolters were prominent across all of France, so Thuringen was given to Bavaria and all was one more quite. England was paid off, and finally France is in peace.
Champlains Expedition
Samuel De Champlain had went to the New World financed by King Henri IV. His initial expedition served to was made up of a thousand men. After the war however Henri began to expand his kingdom peacefully by sending many colonists to the North American Coast, after the last war Britain was forced to rebuild their empire, and indeed to the few in the New World the Brits were doing a good job of it.
Receiving the commission from Paris to act as an independent governor of all French colonies in the New World Champlain began to build a navy to better transport the troops of the kingdom. Development of the defenses became a priority and large sums of money were donated from Paris to the cause. The colonies were becoming an investment, they were centered around Quebec and steadily colonies were converted into provinces.
The army was increased to seven thousand men, giving France enough Colonial might to at least defend herself. Plans for further advancement were stalled a bit when Marie De Medicis became regent for her son Louis XIII, after Henri IV was killed by a mad man in May 1610. Champlain was inconsolable, but devoted to the memory of his former king.
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Governor of the New World Samuel De Champlain
Samuel De Champlain had went to the New World financed by King Henri IV. His initial expedition served to was made up of a thousand men. After the war however Henri began to expand his kingdom peacefully by sending many colonists to the North American Coast, after the last war Britain was forced to rebuild their empire, and indeed to the few in the New World the Brits were doing a good job of it.
Receiving the commission from Paris to act as an independent governor of all French colonies in the New World Champlain began to build a navy to better transport the troops of the kingdom. Development of the defenses became a priority and large sums of money were donated from Paris to the cause. The colonies were becoming an investment, they were centered around Quebec and steadily colonies were converted into provinces.
The army was increased to seven thousand men, giving France enough Colonial might to at least defend herself. Plans for further advancement were stalled a bit when Marie De Medicis became regent for her son Louis XIII, after Henri IV was killed by a mad man in May 1610. Champlain was inconsolable, but devoted to the memory of his former king.
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Governor of the New World Samuel De Champlain
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The First Cardinal of the State
While Champlain was preparing for the conquest of savages, Henri was annexing Bavaria, expanding peacefully into central Germany. To replace the Bavarians, Henri made friendly with the Serbs, if only to distract the annoying Hungarian forces. When Henri IV was killed in 1610 his wife Marie assumed the Regency. Unfortunately for France Marie was not a wise woman, she fired Henri’s greatest advisors and put her trust in the corrupt Concino Concini. It is here that our narrative transfers to a young up and comer in French politics Armand-Jean du Plessis de Richelieu better known as Cardinal Richelieu.
Richelieu was working for Concino when he caught the Queen’s eye, he impressed in an interview and she appointed him to her council. The Nobles of France began to want more power, only Richeliue worked to undermine Noble authority and he was soon labeled as a traitor. He saved face only when he supported a war with Austria, the Regent and Concino did not want to fight the war but public opinion swayed out of there favor, and Richelieu drew the battle lines.
The nobles now allied with Richelieu, none of them had any favor for the house of Habsburg and remembered all to well the invasions that the Austrians attempted. Marie was forced to buy them off but the joint alliance of Richelieu and Henri De Bourbon demanded her to call the estates general.
At the meeting Henri De Bourbon led the 2nd Estate and Richelieu the 1st, the representatives of the 3rd estate did not matter. There the king watched on as Richelieu encouraged him to take his birthright and get rid of the regency of Marie. If her regency was in place for the war then it was clear to all in France that Paris would be in ashes. The meeting convened and the King put forth a proposal that Richelieu would become foremost Chancellor of France and head advisor to Marie. The vote was cast and passed. De Bourbon’s fief was increased for his aid.
Richelieu took up his position in 1615 the battle lines had France and her allies against Austria (England, Hungary) Portugal (Hanseatic League) and Venice (Byzantine). The advance brought Artois under French occupation, and under his rule Sudeten fell as did Lorraine. Richelieu brought the Habsburgs to the table and when the alliances met Richelieu noted that the Serbs had taken Croatia from the Serbs. As a reward Croatia was awarded Serbia in the peace deal, and Artois was given to France, giving her the desired, complete, border with The United Provinces.
After an attempted coup by Concino supported by Marie; Louis assumed the exiling Richelieu to the Bishopric assassinating Concino and exiling his mother. The King began to assert his authority but on all sides the nobles pressed him. In 1615 the Merchant states’ continental holdings were occupied, Mantua and fifty ducats were given to France. Thus Portugal was left, and it was Louis’ desire to succeed in the one theatre where his father failed, he annex Portugal in September, and brought France to peace with a return to status quo with the weak Northern German Trading League.
Cardinal Richelieu
While Champlain was preparing for the conquest of savages, Henri was annexing Bavaria, expanding peacefully into central Germany. To replace the Bavarians, Henri made friendly with the Serbs, if only to distract the annoying Hungarian forces. When Henri IV was killed in 1610 his wife Marie assumed the Regency. Unfortunately for France Marie was not a wise woman, she fired Henri’s greatest advisors and put her trust in the corrupt Concino Concini. It is here that our narrative transfers to a young up and comer in French politics Armand-Jean du Plessis de Richelieu better known as Cardinal Richelieu.
Richelieu was working for Concino when he caught the Queen’s eye, he impressed in an interview and she appointed him to her council. The Nobles of France began to want more power, only Richeliue worked to undermine Noble authority and he was soon labeled as a traitor. He saved face only when he supported a war with Austria, the Regent and Concino did not want to fight the war but public opinion swayed out of there favor, and Richelieu drew the battle lines.
The nobles now allied with Richelieu, none of them had any favor for the house of Habsburg and remembered all to well the invasions that the Austrians attempted. Marie was forced to buy them off but the joint alliance of Richelieu and Henri De Bourbon demanded her to call the estates general.
At the meeting Henri De Bourbon led the 2nd Estate and Richelieu the 1st, the representatives of the 3rd estate did not matter. There the king watched on as Richelieu encouraged him to take his birthright and get rid of the regency of Marie. If her regency was in place for the war then it was clear to all in France that Paris would be in ashes. The meeting convened and the King put forth a proposal that Richelieu would become foremost Chancellor of France and head advisor to Marie. The vote was cast and passed. De Bourbon’s fief was increased for his aid.
Richelieu took up his position in 1615 the battle lines had France and her allies against Austria (England, Hungary) Portugal (Hanseatic League) and Venice (Byzantine). The advance brought Artois under French occupation, and under his rule Sudeten fell as did Lorraine. Richelieu brought the Habsburgs to the table and when the alliances met Richelieu noted that the Serbs had taken Croatia from the Serbs. As a reward Croatia was awarded Serbia in the peace deal, and Artois was given to France, giving her the desired, complete, border with The United Provinces.
After an attempted coup by Concino supported by Marie; Louis assumed the exiling Richelieu to the Bishopric assassinating Concino and exiling his mother. The King began to assert his authority but on all sides the nobles pressed him. In 1615 the Merchant states’ continental holdings were occupied, Mantua and fifty ducats were given to France. Thus Portugal was left, and it was Louis’ desire to succeed in the one theatre where his father failed, he annex Portugal in September, and brought France to peace with a return to status quo with the weak Northern German Trading League.
Cardinal Richelieu
Cow Pie tells an engrossing tale about the trials and tribulations of France, making this my choice for the EUI Weekly Showcase. 
Wow this made my day, I'll gets a screen shot up soon as I find someone who can host them.
What do you mean, finally? Mine was showcase last week.J. Passepartout said:
Congratulations, Cow Pie. May Weekly Showcase bring more attention to your AAR than it did mine
The Cardinal returns
The Cardinal was reinstated, and promoted to chief Minster of France in 1624, he strengthened the alliance with the allies and began to increase France’s defensive capabilities. The Venetians took this as a threat and declared war, they were backed up by Spain and Byzantine. Given that the Ottoman Empire was expanding all around, Richelieu could not see why the Emperor bothered involving himself in the wars of the west.
The Anti French Coallition was led by Venice, and supported by England (Scotland), Morocco, and the United Provinces (Austria). France’s allies would be needed now more than ever, however the army was ready to destroy conquer on all fronts, save perhaps in Iberia. French forces met the Austrian Mercenary Wallenstein in the field at Alscase, the rogue was sent scurrying.
Meanwhile the war to unite the provinces under French rule began with a stalemate, Pfalz fell to the Dutch, but Flanderes fell to the French Grand Armee. The Armee moved on Cologne to intercept the Dutch attack force and defeated their leader sending him and just a few men across the Rhine to protect Holland. Meanwhile the Armee attacked the Hainut that fell soon, surprisingly Serb forces began a siege of Luxembourg.
In December the Hainut fell and Japan closed its self to the West, if France cared at all for the Far Eastern Power we may take offense. A few days later Morocco fell and was annexed to the French kingdom. The Berber pirates, seeing their former ally absorbed feared for themselves and declared war bring all of Islam down on the French Expeditionary forces’ head. The force held strong and repelled the invaders. The offensive against Algiers began.
The following year advances in Italy began in full with the Army of North Italy working with the Army of the South Florence, Modena, and Emile were in French hands. Added to that Iberian conquests of Gibraltar and Sierra Nevada Spain was eager for peace and ceded Modena and Florence, French Italy was now linked to France proper.
Some more fighting in Austria brought the French army just in reach of Vienna, so the Austrians agreed to peace on the terms that Alsace and Ostmarch would be given. The reason two fold, one Alsace would finally connect Pfalz to the French Kingdom. Two Ostmarch would separate Bohemia from the Austrian kingdom, allowing for any nation, say Prussia or Poland to take the northern provinces.
In April the English demanded two hundred ducats for peace, having forgotten that they declared war we countered offering them a return to peace. No shots were fired against the English in retrospect, with Champlain dead faith in the colonial army was a bit shaken for that moment.
In August the hordes of Islam gave up Orania and the French North African kingdom began to truly take shape.
Unfortunately the advance into the Netherlands was hindered by the Prussian king who constantly took command of sieges. Out of the war he received Holland, the Serbs took Luxembourg, and the French took Maroni in South America, and Flanderes for peace.
With Such wealth as gained by Flanderes being in control of trade in the South American Spanish colonies the Golden Age of France seems to begin, it is entering this that Richeliue first proposed a new title to Louis XIII. Emperor of France Louis XIII. Louis however refused the honor, but instead declared himself King of the West.
The Cardinal was reinstated, and promoted to chief Minster of France in 1624, he strengthened the alliance with the allies and began to increase France’s defensive capabilities. The Venetians took this as a threat and declared war, they were backed up by Spain and Byzantine. Given that the Ottoman Empire was expanding all around, Richelieu could not see why the Emperor bothered involving himself in the wars of the west.
The Anti French Coallition was led by Venice, and supported by England (Scotland), Morocco, and the United Provinces (Austria). France’s allies would be needed now more than ever, however the army was ready to destroy conquer on all fronts, save perhaps in Iberia. French forces met the Austrian Mercenary Wallenstein in the field at Alscase, the rogue was sent scurrying.
Meanwhile the war to unite the provinces under French rule began with a stalemate, Pfalz fell to the Dutch, but Flanderes fell to the French Grand Armee. The Armee moved on Cologne to intercept the Dutch attack force and defeated their leader sending him and just a few men across the Rhine to protect Holland. Meanwhile the Armee attacked the Hainut that fell soon, surprisingly Serb forces began a siege of Luxembourg.
In December the Hainut fell and Japan closed its self to the West, if France cared at all for the Far Eastern Power we may take offense. A few days later Morocco fell and was annexed to the French kingdom. The Berber pirates, seeing their former ally absorbed feared for themselves and declared war bring all of Islam down on the French Expeditionary forces’ head. The force held strong and repelled the invaders. The offensive against Algiers began.
The following year advances in Italy began in full with the Army of North Italy working with the Army of the South Florence, Modena, and Emile were in French hands. Added to that Iberian conquests of Gibraltar and Sierra Nevada Spain was eager for peace and ceded Modena and Florence, French Italy was now linked to France proper.
Some more fighting in Austria brought the French army just in reach of Vienna, so the Austrians agreed to peace on the terms that Alsace and Ostmarch would be given. The reason two fold, one Alsace would finally connect Pfalz to the French Kingdom. Two Ostmarch would separate Bohemia from the Austrian kingdom, allowing for any nation, say Prussia or Poland to take the northern provinces.
In April the English demanded two hundred ducats for peace, having forgotten that they declared war we countered offering them a return to peace. No shots were fired against the English in retrospect, with Champlain dead faith in the colonial army was a bit shaken for that moment.
In August the hordes of Islam gave up Orania and the French North African kingdom began to truly take shape.
Unfortunately the advance into the Netherlands was hindered by the Prussian king who constantly took command of sieges. Out of the war he received Holland, the Serbs took Luxembourg, and the French took Maroni in South America, and Flanderes for peace.
With Such wealth as gained by Flanderes being in control of trade in the South American Spanish colonies the Golden Age of France seems to begin, it is entering this that Richeliue first proposed a new title to Louis XIII. Emperor of France Louis XIII. Louis however refused the honor, but instead declared himself King of the West.
Cow Pie, this tale just proves that there are still very high quality work coming out of the EUI forum. Great stuff and I just wish I had started reading this from the very beginning.