Chapter 7
The Fourth Council, much unlike the Third, ended overwhelmingly one-sided. There was not a single vote that did not go for centralising the kingdom. And so, Joan made the necessary reforms. Unlike the last time the council voted in favour of such a move, however, there was a widespread sense of worry and panic over the kingdom's future, with some local lords voicing their opposition to this reform, but ultimately unable to muster any real support to their cause.
These feelings would only subside completely after the populace realised, several months later, that the sky would not, in fact, drop on their heads.
In fact, a surprisingly large amount of the middle and higher classes, inspired by the more centralised administration, took a fancy to a dressing style that was for a period widespread in the capital, and by the end of the year the entire kingdom's landowners were spending large portions of their savings on new garments, producing a greater cash flow to the royal treasury.
Not a year passed since the kingdom's stability was restored, however, before a very influential clergyman in Napoli spoke against the ideas of Ruggiero Broia, a philosopher in Joan's court. Forced to take a stance as the whole thing was heating up, Joan took the side of the philosopher that she herself had hired. As it became apparent that no action would be taken against Broia, the shock from the whole affair slowly started to subside.
Finally, the inevitable happens, and the Aragonese crown decides to take on its own hands what the Castillian one had so far failed spectacularly at, declaring was on Granadan Maalik's realm.
Monitoring the new techniques and technologies that enter the city, the guildmaster of Spoleto, the administrative centre of Umbria, sends a letter to Joan, informing her that it is possible to increase each province's contributions to the treasury by providing the guilds of each province with workshops of certain specifications. These, however, require an initial investment much too large for Naples' limited treasury, and will have to wait for now.
Castille, having finally afforded the time to recover from the effects of the last wars, jumps in against Granada, as vengeance and to prevent Aragon from making too great a gain on the peninsula.
The latter, satisfied with its progress in the crusade, takes the province of Malaga and a small amount of ducats in exchange for peace.
With a growing orthodox population, the success in Council of Salerno, and recent loss of influence by the more radical clergymen, the pressure for converting Kerkyra's population to the Catholic faith has almost completely evaporated and Joan turns her attention elsewhere. The county of Rimini, a small state controlling the coastline to the north of Marche de Anconna had several times disrupted Napolitan work in the region and its leadership spoken badly of many of Joan's reforms. At the same time it had left itself vulnerable, and its only allies were the small merchant republic of Firenze and the long now weakened Papal States. Unwilling to take their abuse, Joan declares war to set an example out of them.
All of Joan's allies respond to her call for war, whereas Rimini loses its Papal support, which might have otherwise earned it sympathy in Catholic eyes.
Before the war can start in earnest, Castille ends its own war in a much better shape than it had before. Granada is reduced to its holdings around its capital and the city of Gibraltar.
The war against Rimini goes predictably enough, and once Joan's goals are reached merchants from the capital visit her in the palace and hand her another petition; with Napolitan trade dead since the previous decade, they ask that the necessary measures are taken for Napolitan merchants to prosper enough to dominate trade as far away from home as Lübeck, the main trade hub of the Hanseatic League.
In the meantime, Firenze has also been losing to the might of its southern neighbour. After its coastal city of Volterra and their capital fell, they could only agree to whatever harsh terms they would be offered. The Doge of the republic would retain power, but this time as king, and would swear absolute loyalty to the Napolitan crown. In addition, a small sum of money would be paid to Naples to cover its war expenses.
For the first time with this treaty, Naples is opening yet another diplomatic front, as it is now no mere neighbour to the Holy Roman Empire, one of whose member states has been deprived of independence.
At the same time, Naples has finally reached the peak in international standing.
And as other states pull themselves together...
...and others aggressively expand their borders...
...Naples too must stand strong.
Anno domini 1399. The Kingdom of Naples has never been as strong as now. It has never exerted as much influence as now. Indisputable controller of The Boot. Bridge between East and West. Host of the Church Council that put an end to simony. Setter of trends. Joan's reign would surely be remembered as the greatest the kingdom has ever had. At 71 years old, reigning as queen for 56 years now.
Some might call it "going senile".
Others might call it a combination of opportunism and Alzheimer's or a good deal of alcohol.
But only one thing is known for sure about January 11th of 1399. When she woke up, Joan saw on her desk three sheets of paper, each outlining the basis of a legislative act. Claiming divine inspiration following a visit from an angel the night before, she says that she is the author of these documents, and calls for an urgent advisory council. These grand ideas are too demanding, and the Napolitan administration lacks the resources needed to put them all into action. In fact,
only one of them can be made into actual law at this juncture. Joan passes a copy of all three documents to each of her advisors.
A. The Act for the Expansion of the Administration
A masterfully crafted restructuring of the state bureaucracy, this would significantly improve the performance of governmental affairs, as well as provide economic advantages. The general populace might have trouble adjusting to the new administrative state. The advantages, however, are vastly superior to this situational setback.
B. The Establishment of a Unified Merchant Policy
Giving the Kingdom's merchants a set of guidelines to follow concerning trade can vastly improve their coordination, and so performance. This would go a long way towards a flourishing trading tradition, and might even single-handedly enable Napolitan merchants to achieve their goal of dominating Lübecker trade.
C. The Cultural Heritage Act
A set of laws that would provide much greater incentive for highly skilled Napolitans to follow their artistic pursuits. Should this Act pass, not only would it ensure that the crown would be aided by only the most skilful men the kingdom will ever produce, it will also give Naples a long-lasting guarantee that it will retain its prestigious position through its cultural hegemony.