Moldavian AAR
Introduction
Version: 1.08 SE
Scenario: Improved Campaign Game (edited, added Moldavia, removed Portugal), using 1492p (Ireland exists, Dutch Provinces Austrian, Belgian provinces Spanish)
Difficulty: Normal
Aggression: Normal
VP's: On
Missions: Off
Events: Both random and historical on
NOTE: This AAR is written through the eyes of the actual monarchs, council members etc. Please take no offense from the description of the Ottomans etc. as this is purely 'role playing'...
-----------------------------------------------------------
Part 1: The reign of Stefan the Great
1492
My name is Stefan. Some refer to me as 'The Great', others, of Moslem 'faith', as 'The Terrible'. The time I have left in this valley of tears is short now. Yet my work here is not done, until I have written down records of great events that have taken place during the last years of my life.
I am a leader. The leader of a nation small in size but great in courage and faith, by the name of Moldavia. My subjects confess mainly to the Orthodox Faith of the Eastern Church, but my familys', and hence the official religion, is Catholic. The conflict between the Church of the West and that of the East has always been a terrible thorn in my soul, as we all follow the same shepherd and are guided by the same morals.
In 1492 my country found itself in between Hungary to the west, Poland to the north, and Wallachia to the south. These coutries were all Christian brothers of ours. The matter was very different with our neighbours to the east, the Ottoman 'Empire'. That is a title their tyrant added after they raped and stole the last remnants of the Great Roman Empire, Byzantium. They even had the arrogance of taking that proud nation's capital as their own!
In that year, 1492, I was still very eager to teach these Ottoman infidels a lesson and restore Christian faith in old Byzantium. However, my nation was not strong enough to fight the Turks alone, with an army of only 5000 infantry and an equal amount of cavalry, and only one province under our flag.
My worries were also increasing due to the behaviour of the monarch of our southern neighbour, Wallachia. Radu cel Mare, the head of state, had signed a vassalization treaty with the infidels, and the leash was getting more and more pronounced by the day.
After a rather violent council meating in early January, I decided, against the wish of the majority of the council, to prepare for war against Wallachia. To ease my mind, I made it clear to myself that it would be considered a war of liberation. I felt haste was of the essence, as the Ottomans and Wallachia had not yet signed an alliance. Of course this would not hinder the infidels to attack us, but it would most certainly have a psycholigical effect on Radu cel Mare.
During the late winter and early spring months of 1492, I ordered an increase of our army to 22000 men, while installing my strongest opponent in the council, Lord Dumitrescu, as Minister of Finance and Bailiff in Galatz. I have always believed that a leader of men should not surround himself with weak advisors who will tell him what he wants to hear. In at least this case I was to be proven right.
In the month of May, we finally sent a Declaration of War to Wallachia. I myself lead my army, now consisting of 17000 infantry and 5000 horsemen, south across the border. 3000 newly trained infantry was left in Galatz. All was at stake. Would the Ottomans come to the aid of their vassal before we could defeat his army and invest his fortress? Or would my men prove worthy of the task, and succed, which would effectively double the size of our territory?
After some maneuvering, with the Wallachian army trying to screen us from their capital, we finally caught up with them, and I ordered an attack. We outnumbered them two to one, and the result was a massacre. It hurt me to see the staunch opposition of our brothers, and my own men cutting them down to the last man, but realized this had to be done. Our losses only amounted to approximately 500 men.
The 25th of May saw my army surrounding Bucuresti. I immediately ordered an assault. Still, time was of the essence, due to two reasons: one, the possibility of the turks attacking us, and two, the treasury was near empty. A crisis was at hand could we not take the fortress before the end of the month.
For days my men stormed the defences of Bucuresti, but were beaten back at all points. The Wallachian losses were at least equal to ours, but their artillery pieces proved instrumental in keeping us out of the city. My mood was at an absolute low, when a messenger arrived from Galatz, with a letter from Lord Dumitrescu; he had managed to loan money from God knows where, to the amount of 200 ducats! I immediately returned the messenger with orders to upgrade our fortress at home.
Now the financial problem was out of the way for the moment, and there was no sign of Turkish interference. I decided to let my army rest and grow strong before taking my chances with a new assault. This proved to be wise, as the Wallachian reserve suddenly showed up and attacked us in mid-June, and again in July, but we managed to first repulse them, then annihilate them with minimal losses. Praise God for our fortune!
The 17th of July, Poland-Lithuania declared war on the Ottomans, which greatly eased my mind. Now the risk of Turkish involvement in my own conflict was minimal.
The 1st of October saw my army fully rested and ready for the final assault. My scouts estimated the strength of the defenders to less than 2500 men, and we had managed to destroy their last cannon with raiding parties during the lull in fighting since the last assault. This time everything went exemplary, and by the 4th, Bucuresti was invested, our losses only 120 men!
I immediately took my guards with me to the Royal Castle, and met with a crying Radu cel Mare, who kissed my feet and asked forgiveness of me. I saw in his eyes great regret, and decided to allow him to stay as governor of Wallachia: now a province of Moldavia!
Now my forces could rest, the immediate goal was reached. Near our borders, Polish forces were laying siege to Ismail in Bujak. Polish and Turk forces were closing in on each other, and the fighting there would certainly be violent. In november, news came of war between England and Naples on one side, France, Savoy, the Papacy, Bretagne and Navarre on the other.
Mid november, a Turkish relief force of 30000 beat the Polish army in Bujak, and sent it reeling back home. That was the situation as a new year came.
1493
In January, I felt the time was ripe to get some kind of insurance of our survival. We sent an emmisary to Russia, and were allowed to enter their alliance with Crimea, Ryazan and Pskov. I quelled my ill feelings regarding the Crimeans, as Russia in my mind was, and still is, a bulwark of the Orthodox, and thus Christian, faith. Meanwhile the Turks entered Polish Bessarabia which they promptly conquered after luckily beating a 74000 strong Polish army.
In April, our Russian allies declared war on Kazan. Crimea, Ryazan and Pskov honored the alliance, as did we. Since we could not partake in the conflict physically, we did what we could in the House of God. In Poland, the Commonwealth's forces managed to beat back the Turks, and by now where laying siege in Bessarabia. But another Ottoman 40000 man army was on its way north...
In the end of June, our defences around Galatz were finally finished.
The month of September had Russia signing a peace treaty with Kazan, taking the Province of Lipetsk and war indemnities to the amount of 54 ducats for our alliance to share. The year ended with heavy fighting between the Ottoman and Poland in Ukraine, where the Turks had managed to add Krementjug to its conquests.
1494
The first half of the year saw more fighting in Poland, where the Turks took Podolia. The northern nation of Denmark joined our Russian alliance. In June, a Polish army was laying siege in Krementjug, trying to retake what had been lost the previous year.
By that time we had, through a combination of trade, spying, and the great work of our alchemists, finally discovered the secret of building artillery pieces that could match those of the Turks. We could however not yet afford the creation of an artillery force for our army, as our economy still was very hard pressed with the interest on our loan to consider.
1495
During spring, the Poles to my great relief managed to take back control of Krementjug, but they still had problems with Ottoman forces further west. Given time, they could very well threaten Warszaw.
This led me on the path to a new crucial decision: to help the Commonwealth, our Christian brothers, by attacking the Ottomans, or continue building up my forces further, while seeing our friends bleed to death just across our northern border. I called together a council meeting. Lord Dumitrescu, still in charge of our financial situation, quickly asserted me that our economy did definitely not allow war for years to come. I saw his reasoning, but there were issues at stake that could not abide by the rules of finance alone, and searching my soul I decided for war, no matter what the cost.
In autumn we sent our declaration of war. I quickly marched my main army, consisting of roughly 25000 men, southwest into Rumelia. The siege here was long and tiring, with bloody but indecisive assaults interrupting the slow pace.
Then news came from Galatz: the Turkish forces previously threatening Warszaw had marched south and were now laying siege to our capital! Their strength was around 25-30000... Hopefully our increased fortifications would hold until I could make headway in Rumelia.
1496
Finally, by the 8th of February, the assault made progress and we invested the Turkish fortress. by now, 8000 Ottomans were besiegeing Bucuresti also. I weighed my options, and came to the conclusion that boldness would save the day: I marched north into Dobrudja with my 20000 remaining men. Reports from Bucuresti told us that the commander thought he could hold on for another nine months. In Galatz Dumitrescu issued war taxes to pay for our army, as the treasury once again was bled dry.
End of May saw us raising our red flag over the fortress after losing 3000 brave soldiers in the assaults, and we continued north into Bujak. In june, just as I was crossing the Danube, I got news of peace between France and England, France getting Calais and a hefty 197 ducats. Oh what incredible amounts of gold! Imagine what I and Dumitrescu could have done with that money.
My army arrived in Bujak in the beginning of June, and we immediately assaulted Ismail. By the 10th our efforts were rewarded, and our garrisons in Galatz and Bucuresti still held! Furhter north, the Poles were besieging the fortresses in Krementjug and Bessarabia, the last Turkish resistance in Poland. I decided to let my army recuperate to full strength before moving to relieve Galatz. The Turkish army there was down to 15000 according to my scouts, and my own forces counted almost 14000 infantry and 2500 cavalry.
We arrived in the mid of August, and immediately went to the attack. In a bloody battle, we once again were victorious, annihilating the Turkish army to the last man in the pursuit, thank the Lord! The Ottomans retreated south. My capital was saved, and we held all Ottoman provinces between us and the Black sea!
Time was ripe for a diplomatic move, and we signed a peace treaty giving us Rumelia by the 1st of September. Lord Dumitrescu came up with the idea of demanding that province instead of Bujak, once part of our territory. It would serve two purposes: first, we would finally have a harbour on the black sea, end second, we would create a pocket of sorts containing Ottoman territories whic hwe easily could invest at a later date. To our surprise, the Turks agreed to our demands, and we raised our flag over Varna.
In October, a rebellion broke out in Rumelia, and I marched there with great haste. By the beginning of November, the last rebels were eliminated. In December, Poland and the Turks signed a Status Quo peace, and I shortly thereafter recieved a letter from the Polish King thanking me heartily for my brave attack upon the infidels, which gave the Commonwealth the respite it so badly needed.
1497
The year 1497 was peaceful, bar a few uprisings in former Wallachia and Rumelia. I concentrated my efforts on signing various treaties with nearby nations such as Hungary, Austria, and Bohemia. Also, the Mamelukes joined the Russian alliance. Another infidel amongst us, this almost made me leave the whole cooperation, but after having a long discussion with my friend Lord Dumitrescu, I decided against it.
1498
Come March, the Mamelukes declared war on the Turks! I fondly remember the feeling I got inside when reading news of infidels fighting each other... However, they also called their allies in the north, of which we were the only on the Turkish border. In yet another war council, where Lord Dumitrescu again explained the desperate economic situation, I again overruled him and signed a new declaration of war on the 13th of March.
I marched north into Dobrudja once again, but did not dare assault the fortress as our forces were unprepared for war. By the end of July a 30000 strong Turkish army had marched through Wallachia and started a siege of Galatz. In August, while 13000 Turkish reinforcements were moving through Wallachia towards Galatz, an uprising there managed to reduce their strength to only 9000 that came through.
I managed to invest Silistra by September 7th. My army was down to 8200 infantry and 1500 cavalry, and by then the Ottoman forces outside Galatz counted approximately 37000. Since I realised that I could not do much against those numbers, I again trusted our capital's walls and made a bold stroke south, back through Rumelia and into Thrace, which was only guarded by 3000 jannisaries! These we quickly dispatched, and the last recruits to get out of Moldavia were on their way south.
In the end of October I received news that Galatz had fallen on the 22nd. Oh God, I actually faltered and thought you had left us! But we continued our siege of Constantinople, and got continuos reports on the Ottoman movements: a small force of 5000 men were laying siege to Bucuresti, and the main army of 30000 was moving towards Varna in Rumelia. I also got a desperate letter from Lord Dumitrescu, now in Silistra after a daring escape from Galatz, stating that he had managed to get another loan, but our interest rates were now very high, and if this madness continued, he would resign!
1499
Spring was spent in the trenches outside Constantinople, writing letters to Dumitrescu, getting desperate reports from our fortresses under siege, and praying to God to once again bless our weapons. Finally, in June, our assaults started making progress, and by the 25th, I proudly marched into the Ottoman capital, holding Great Mass and a Te Deum in Hagia Sofia! Those must have been the first free Christian sermons there since 1453... As I look back on my life, this was surely my finest hour.
Time was as always of the essence, though, and my army quickly marched through Bulgaria, relieving Bucuresti and by the end of the year I was marching north to Galatz. However, my health was slowly deteriorating due to the constant campaigning.
1500
In the end of February, Varna fell, and our garrison in Constantinople was under siege. However, by March 23rd, one year and ten days after the war started, we liberated Galatz! We started marching east towards Ismail, but by the 27th, I received a peace proposal from the Turks, offering Dobrudja. I promptly made my mind up to agree, as my body, and the strength and endurance of my soldiers were heavily battered by now. Peace was signed.
I sent a letter to the Czar explaining my precarious situation, and adding my thoughts on being the only Christian monarch directly involved in this war. He replied with assurances that he would not hold my decision against me, understanding the pressure I was under.
The army was brought up to 20000 men, and we marched to Dobrudja, anticipating uprisings there and in Rumelia.
The rest of the year was spent crushing all signs of Moslem rebellion, and increasing our foreign relations across Europe.
1501
Last year, 1501, also was a time of recuperation, diplomatic missions abroad, and quelling revolts. We also got involved in a conflict between Denmark and Sweden, which we could not do much in, even if we would have had the strength. I started spending more and more time away from the army, as my health steadily got worse.
1502
Now we write February 15th, 1502. I am getting very tired. I just got news that the war in the north is over, a peace treaty has been signed in which Sweden received two provinces: Skåne and Østlandet, and 250 ducats. Seeing the amounts of money changing hands in the rich parts of Europe make me even more exhausted... I must finish writing now. I have summoned Lord Dumitrescu and my son, Bogdan, to discuss what will happend once my body has given up the fight against this ailment.
Stefan cel Mare
Prince of Moldavia and Wallachia
Ruler of Rumelia and Dobrudja
Defender of the Cross
Liberator of Constantinople
Anno Domini 1502
Introduction
Version: 1.08 SE
Scenario: Improved Campaign Game (edited, added Moldavia, removed Portugal), using 1492p (Ireland exists, Dutch Provinces Austrian, Belgian provinces Spanish)
Difficulty: Normal
Aggression: Normal
VP's: On
Missions: Off
Events: Both random and historical on
NOTE: This AAR is written through the eyes of the actual monarchs, council members etc. Please take no offense from the description of the Ottomans etc. as this is purely 'role playing'...
-----------------------------------------------------------
Part 1: The reign of Stefan the Great
1492
My name is Stefan. Some refer to me as 'The Great', others, of Moslem 'faith', as 'The Terrible'. The time I have left in this valley of tears is short now. Yet my work here is not done, until I have written down records of great events that have taken place during the last years of my life.
I am a leader. The leader of a nation small in size but great in courage and faith, by the name of Moldavia. My subjects confess mainly to the Orthodox Faith of the Eastern Church, but my familys', and hence the official religion, is Catholic. The conflict between the Church of the West and that of the East has always been a terrible thorn in my soul, as we all follow the same shepherd and are guided by the same morals.
In 1492 my country found itself in between Hungary to the west, Poland to the north, and Wallachia to the south. These coutries were all Christian brothers of ours. The matter was very different with our neighbours to the east, the Ottoman 'Empire'. That is a title their tyrant added after they raped and stole the last remnants of the Great Roman Empire, Byzantium. They even had the arrogance of taking that proud nation's capital as their own!
In that year, 1492, I was still very eager to teach these Ottoman infidels a lesson and restore Christian faith in old Byzantium. However, my nation was not strong enough to fight the Turks alone, with an army of only 5000 infantry and an equal amount of cavalry, and only one province under our flag.
My worries were also increasing due to the behaviour of the monarch of our southern neighbour, Wallachia. Radu cel Mare, the head of state, had signed a vassalization treaty with the infidels, and the leash was getting more and more pronounced by the day.
After a rather violent council meating in early January, I decided, against the wish of the majority of the council, to prepare for war against Wallachia. To ease my mind, I made it clear to myself that it would be considered a war of liberation. I felt haste was of the essence, as the Ottomans and Wallachia had not yet signed an alliance. Of course this would not hinder the infidels to attack us, but it would most certainly have a psycholigical effect on Radu cel Mare.
During the late winter and early spring months of 1492, I ordered an increase of our army to 22000 men, while installing my strongest opponent in the council, Lord Dumitrescu, as Minister of Finance and Bailiff in Galatz. I have always believed that a leader of men should not surround himself with weak advisors who will tell him what he wants to hear. In at least this case I was to be proven right.
In the month of May, we finally sent a Declaration of War to Wallachia. I myself lead my army, now consisting of 17000 infantry and 5000 horsemen, south across the border. 3000 newly trained infantry was left in Galatz. All was at stake. Would the Ottomans come to the aid of their vassal before we could defeat his army and invest his fortress? Or would my men prove worthy of the task, and succed, which would effectively double the size of our territory?
After some maneuvering, with the Wallachian army trying to screen us from their capital, we finally caught up with them, and I ordered an attack. We outnumbered them two to one, and the result was a massacre. It hurt me to see the staunch opposition of our brothers, and my own men cutting them down to the last man, but realized this had to be done. Our losses only amounted to approximately 500 men.
The 25th of May saw my army surrounding Bucuresti. I immediately ordered an assault. Still, time was of the essence, due to two reasons: one, the possibility of the turks attacking us, and two, the treasury was near empty. A crisis was at hand could we not take the fortress before the end of the month.
For days my men stormed the defences of Bucuresti, but were beaten back at all points. The Wallachian losses were at least equal to ours, but their artillery pieces proved instrumental in keeping us out of the city. My mood was at an absolute low, when a messenger arrived from Galatz, with a letter from Lord Dumitrescu; he had managed to loan money from God knows where, to the amount of 200 ducats! I immediately returned the messenger with orders to upgrade our fortress at home.
Now the financial problem was out of the way for the moment, and there was no sign of Turkish interference. I decided to let my army rest and grow strong before taking my chances with a new assault. This proved to be wise, as the Wallachian reserve suddenly showed up and attacked us in mid-June, and again in July, but we managed to first repulse them, then annihilate them with minimal losses. Praise God for our fortune!
The 17th of July, Poland-Lithuania declared war on the Ottomans, which greatly eased my mind. Now the risk of Turkish involvement in my own conflict was minimal.
The 1st of October saw my army fully rested and ready for the final assault. My scouts estimated the strength of the defenders to less than 2500 men, and we had managed to destroy their last cannon with raiding parties during the lull in fighting since the last assault. This time everything went exemplary, and by the 4th, Bucuresti was invested, our losses only 120 men!
I immediately took my guards with me to the Royal Castle, and met with a crying Radu cel Mare, who kissed my feet and asked forgiveness of me. I saw in his eyes great regret, and decided to allow him to stay as governor of Wallachia: now a province of Moldavia!
Now my forces could rest, the immediate goal was reached. Near our borders, Polish forces were laying siege to Ismail in Bujak. Polish and Turk forces were closing in on each other, and the fighting there would certainly be violent. In november, news came of war between England and Naples on one side, France, Savoy, the Papacy, Bretagne and Navarre on the other.
Mid november, a Turkish relief force of 30000 beat the Polish army in Bujak, and sent it reeling back home. That was the situation as a new year came.
1493
In January, I felt the time was ripe to get some kind of insurance of our survival. We sent an emmisary to Russia, and were allowed to enter their alliance with Crimea, Ryazan and Pskov. I quelled my ill feelings regarding the Crimeans, as Russia in my mind was, and still is, a bulwark of the Orthodox, and thus Christian, faith. Meanwhile the Turks entered Polish Bessarabia which they promptly conquered after luckily beating a 74000 strong Polish army.
In April, our Russian allies declared war on Kazan. Crimea, Ryazan and Pskov honored the alliance, as did we. Since we could not partake in the conflict physically, we did what we could in the House of God. In Poland, the Commonwealth's forces managed to beat back the Turks, and by now where laying siege in Bessarabia. But another Ottoman 40000 man army was on its way north...
In the end of June, our defences around Galatz were finally finished.
The month of September had Russia signing a peace treaty with Kazan, taking the Province of Lipetsk and war indemnities to the amount of 54 ducats for our alliance to share. The year ended with heavy fighting between the Ottoman and Poland in Ukraine, where the Turks had managed to add Krementjug to its conquests.
1494
The first half of the year saw more fighting in Poland, where the Turks took Podolia. The northern nation of Denmark joined our Russian alliance. In June, a Polish army was laying siege in Krementjug, trying to retake what had been lost the previous year.
By that time we had, through a combination of trade, spying, and the great work of our alchemists, finally discovered the secret of building artillery pieces that could match those of the Turks. We could however not yet afford the creation of an artillery force for our army, as our economy still was very hard pressed with the interest on our loan to consider.
1495
During spring, the Poles to my great relief managed to take back control of Krementjug, but they still had problems with Ottoman forces further west. Given time, they could very well threaten Warszaw.
This led me on the path to a new crucial decision: to help the Commonwealth, our Christian brothers, by attacking the Ottomans, or continue building up my forces further, while seeing our friends bleed to death just across our northern border. I called together a council meeting. Lord Dumitrescu, still in charge of our financial situation, quickly asserted me that our economy did definitely not allow war for years to come. I saw his reasoning, but there were issues at stake that could not abide by the rules of finance alone, and searching my soul I decided for war, no matter what the cost.
In autumn we sent our declaration of war. I quickly marched my main army, consisting of roughly 25000 men, southwest into Rumelia. The siege here was long and tiring, with bloody but indecisive assaults interrupting the slow pace.
Then news came from Galatz: the Turkish forces previously threatening Warszaw had marched south and were now laying siege to our capital! Their strength was around 25-30000... Hopefully our increased fortifications would hold until I could make headway in Rumelia.
1496
Finally, by the 8th of February, the assault made progress and we invested the Turkish fortress. by now, 8000 Ottomans were besiegeing Bucuresti also. I weighed my options, and came to the conclusion that boldness would save the day: I marched north into Dobrudja with my 20000 remaining men. Reports from Bucuresti told us that the commander thought he could hold on for another nine months. In Galatz Dumitrescu issued war taxes to pay for our army, as the treasury once again was bled dry.
End of May saw us raising our red flag over the fortress after losing 3000 brave soldiers in the assaults, and we continued north into Bujak. In june, just as I was crossing the Danube, I got news of peace between France and England, France getting Calais and a hefty 197 ducats. Oh what incredible amounts of gold! Imagine what I and Dumitrescu could have done with that money.
My army arrived in Bujak in the beginning of June, and we immediately assaulted Ismail. By the 10th our efforts were rewarded, and our garrisons in Galatz and Bucuresti still held! Furhter north, the Poles were besieging the fortresses in Krementjug and Bessarabia, the last Turkish resistance in Poland. I decided to let my army recuperate to full strength before moving to relieve Galatz. The Turkish army there was down to 15000 according to my scouts, and my own forces counted almost 14000 infantry and 2500 cavalry.
We arrived in the mid of August, and immediately went to the attack. In a bloody battle, we once again were victorious, annihilating the Turkish army to the last man in the pursuit, thank the Lord! The Ottomans retreated south. My capital was saved, and we held all Ottoman provinces between us and the Black sea!
Time was ripe for a diplomatic move, and we signed a peace treaty giving us Rumelia by the 1st of September. Lord Dumitrescu came up with the idea of demanding that province instead of Bujak, once part of our territory. It would serve two purposes: first, we would finally have a harbour on the black sea, end second, we would create a pocket of sorts containing Ottoman territories whic hwe easily could invest at a later date. To our surprise, the Turks agreed to our demands, and we raised our flag over Varna.
In October, a rebellion broke out in Rumelia, and I marched there with great haste. By the beginning of November, the last rebels were eliminated. In December, Poland and the Turks signed a Status Quo peace, and I shortly thereafter recieved a letter from the Polish King thanking me heartily for my brave attack upon the infidels, which gave the Commonwealth the respite it so badly needed.
1497
The year 1497 was peaceful, bar a few uprisings in former Wallachia and Rumelia. I concentrated my efforts on signing various treaties with nearby nations such as Hungary, Austria, and Bohemia. Also, the Mamelukes joined the Russian alliance. Another infidel amongst us, this almost made me leave the whole cooperation, but after having a long discussion with my friend Lord Dumitrescu, I decided against it.
1498
Come March, the Mamelukes declared war on the Turks! I fondly remember the feeling I got inside when reading news of infidels fighting each other... However, they also called their allies in the north, of which we were the only on the Turkish border. In yet another war council, where Lord Dumitrescu again explained the desperate economic situation, I again overruled him and signed a new declaration of war on the 13th of March.
I marched north into Dobrudja once again, but did not dare assault the fortress as our forces were unprepared for war. By the end of July a 30000 strong Turkish army had marched through Wallachia and started a siege of Galatz. In August, while 13000 Turkish reinforcements were moving through Wallachia towards Galatz, an uprising there managed to reduce their strength to only 9000 that came through.
I managed to invest Silistra by September 7th. My army was down to 8200 infantry and 1500 cavalry, and by then the Ottoman forces outside Galatz counted approximately 37000. Since I realised that I could not do much against those numbers, I again trusted our capital's walls and made a bold stroke south, back through Rumelia and into Thrace, which was only guarded by 3000 jannisaries! These we quickly dispatched, and the last recruits to get out of Moldavia were on their way south.
In the end of October I received news that Galatz had fallen on the 22nd. Oh God, I actually faltered and thought you had left us! But we continued our siege of Constantinople, and got continuos reports on the Ottoman movements: a small force of 5000 men were laying siege to Bucuresti, and the main army of 30000 was moving towards Varna in Rumelia. I also got a desperate letter from Lord Dumitrescu, now in Silistra after a daring escape from Galatz, stating that he had managed to get another loan, but our interest rates were now very high, and if this madness continued, he would resign!
1499
Spring was spent in the trenches outside Constantinople, writing letters to Dumitrescu, getting desperate reports from our fortresses under siege, and praying to God to once again bless our weapons. Finally, in June, our assaults started making progress, and by the 25th, I proudly marched into the Ottoman capital, holding Great Mass and a Te Deum in Hagia Sofia! Those must have been the first free Christian sermons there since 1453... As I look back on my life, this was surely my finest hour.
Time was as always of the essence, though, and my army quickly marched through Bulgaria, relieving Bucuresti and by the end of the year I was marching north to Galatz. However, my health was slowly deteriorating due to the constant campaigning.
1500
In the end of February, Varna fell, and our garrison in Constantinople was under siege. However, by March 23rd, one year and ten days after the war started, we liberated Galatz! We started marching east towards Ismail, but by the 27th, I received a peace proposal from the Turks, offering Dobrudja. I promptly made my mind up to agree, as my body, and the strength and endurance of my soldiers were heavily battered by now. Peace was signed.
I sent a letter to the Czar explaining my precarious situation, and adding my thoughts on being the only Christian monarch directly involved in this war. He replied with assurances that he would not hold my decision against me, understanding the pressure I was under.
The army was brought up to 20000 men, and we marched to Dobrudja, anticipating uprisings there and in Rumelia.
The rest of the year was spent crushing all signs of Moslem rebellion, and increasing our foreign relations across Europe.
1501
Last year, 1501, also was a time of recuperation, diplomatic missions abroad, and quelling revolts. We also got involved in a conflict between Denmark and Sweden, which we could not do much in, even if we would have had the strength. I started spending more and more time away from the army, as my health steadily got worse.
1502
Now we write February 15th, 1502. I am getting very tired. I just got news that the war in the north is over, a peace treaty has been signed in which Sweden received two provinces: Skåne and Østlandet, and 250 ducats. Seeing the amounts of money changing hands in the rich parts of Europe make me even more exhausted... I must finish writing now. I have summoned Lord Dumitrescu and my son, Bogdan, to discuss what will happend once my body has given up the fight against this ailment.
Stefan cel Mare
Prince of Moldavia and Wallachia
Ruler of Rumelia and Dobrudja
Defender of the Cross
Liberator of Constantinople
Anno Domini 1502
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