The Thirty-Fourth Book of the Chronicle of Gregorias
OOC
Brother Vasili hmmmd as he ran through the three Apprentices in his mind again. He had to choose one to become a Chronicler. Who was it to be? Yuri – slow but steady, Markus – quick-witted but not always able to see a matter through, or Dmitri – whose faith was like a rock and informed all that he saw and did.
Enough of this! He had other work to do. The Regent had sent a message to the House, requesting information regarding the history of the relationship between the Russian Church and the Holy City of Constantinople. Vasili and his Scribes were collating a document, and it was a most serious affair. There were rumours that the Church would declare itself independent of the Holy Patriarchate. That would hit the House particular hard if the rumours proved to be true. Many of its traditions being founded by the fusion of Russian and Greek, their loyalties were predictably divided.
The divisions were entirely unsurprising as well. Brother Boris was the latest leader of the conservatives, a somewhat younger man who was absolutely convinced of his own righteousness. He could not even read Greek – he claimed it was impious. Not even his other conservatives would embrace those positions.
Suddenly Vasili shivered, and he saw Brother Dmitri say a quick prayer in his reading. The decision was made – Brother Vasili would tell the Apprentice after the Evening Service, and then inform Father Mikhail for comment. He had no doubt his old friend would agree.
Thinking of Mikhail occasioned a frown. His friend was ageing fast, too fast for comfort.
_________
Tsar Ivan Vasilievich has a true hatred for his people. For, instead of leaving behind an well-educated heir, trained in the arts of war and diplomacy, he bequeathed the Tsardom a son whom he had terrorised to the point of insensibility. Tsar Feodor Ivanovich was incapable making even the simplest decisions, and the Tsardom was in gravest danger. The Lord however does provide, and in this moment of our need worthy men stood forward to stand in the breach.
Lord Boris Godunov had arrived in Moskva just before the former Tsar passed away – Tsar Ivan Vasilievich was on his deathbed, and never woke to greet the Marshall. This was fortuitous, for in the late Tsar’s papers were found orders that the Marshal was to be ignominiously killed. The other Marshals of the realm were then also in Moskva. These were Lord Mikhail Golovkin, the Marshal of New Russia; Lord Ivan Shuiski, Marshal of the Steppes and Caucasus; and Lord Dmitri Baratynksi, Marshal of Old Russia. In their various ways each had successfully avoided death or demotion at the hands of the Tsar, and together they formed a Cabinet that would rule in Tsar Feodor’s name. Their first task to acknowledge one of their number as Regent – until the Tsarevich Dmitri came of age. The first choice was Lord Ivan, but he declined. Instead Lord Boris Godunov was proclaimed as Regent.
Between them these four men had a significant number of soldiers, and now they went through the night to the homes of the those who had profited from the Terror of Ivan – those who had whispered false things into the Tsar’s ear and so increased his paranoia; those who had flattered him and encouraged him in new tyrannies; all those that had persecuted the righteous so. Some were killed, the most dangerous and the most powerful. The rest were forced to hand over their ill-gotten gains, and forfeited goods and lands. The general opinion however was that they had been treated mercifully. The confiscations provided as welcome boost to the Treasury which had been stripped bare by Tsar Ivan’s profligacy. Some though escaped and fled to Poland.
Gift to the State (Gold +200)
Lord Godunov then summoned to him the boyar scion Ivan Mansurov, whose life he had saved. He commissioned him to explore further areas of Siberia and open them up for settlement. Lord Mansurov, who had made several trips along the River Ural, concentrated his first efforts there. Through his skill and dedication he founded the towns of Tatarsk and Urengoi, which were soon flourishing with trade from the rude natives thereabouts, and through them the knowledge of the Lord was graciously spread. Lord Mansurov considered further colonisation along the river Ural, but, when he heard news of continuing piratical attacks on the coast of Far Siberia he considered it wise to secure the Siberian Corridor, as it is now called (that line of roots that track through the frozen wastes). To this end he founded the town of Kolpasevo on the River Ob, and in Far Siberia ordered that the colony at Obdorsk be properly organised as a vovoedate. All these things took several years to the present time.
Meanwhile, the infamous King of Poland, Stefan Bathory, sent a missive to the Cabinet. In it he charged that the Cabinet were usurping the rights of the Tsar, that they were but a step away from deposition and setting themselves up as the new rulers of the Tsardom. He ordered that they desist, that they disperse and disband the Cabinet, and that a new Council be formed of all those former lackeys of Tsar Ivan.
The Cabinet was highly concerned about this document, so they expanded their number to include the Archbishop of Moskva. He counselled them that to bow to the demands of a Catholic King would be impious and would mean ruin for the Tsardom. Thus invigorated, they prepared their answer to the Polish King. Meanwhile, the selfsame king was not idle. He had persuaded the Seym that the Cabinet was full of men whose only lust was for power, men who wanted nothing so much as the dismemberment of the Polish State. The Lithuanians among the Seym were convinced for this, for they knew how their ancestors had ill-treated their Russian subjects, and how they did the same in the current age. Calling in their alliances the Lithuanians were able to convince enough of their Polish colleagues of the warlike intentions of the Cabinet that the Seym voted Bathory unheard of power and men and monies.
The Cabinet meanwhile was plotting the best way to secure peace. There were suggestions that the army stationed against the Ottomans in Georgia should be moved up to the Dniepr. Lord Shuiski argued against this, but satisfied his colleagues that the army could move at speed when it was needed. Other preparations were carried out, such as the raising of more forces in Moskva itself, and a strengthening of the fortresses of Polotsk and Belgorod. The Archbishop occupied himself with providing a rebuttal of the various claims and articles in the Polish Letter. One the Feast of Epiphany Lord Godunov was acclaimed and confirmed as Regent of the Tsardom, and the rebuttal was published. Messengers were sent with it to all the nations. Lord Mansurov was created Marshal of Siberia in absentia. After the celebrations Lord Golovkin and Lord Shuiski retired to their commands at Polotsk and Georgia respectively. The realm waited.
Boris Godunov’s Advisory (ADM +6 DIP +3 MIL +3 all for 156 months Stability +1 Fort in Moskva +1 Population in Enkan +250 Conquistador in Enkan)
The Cabinet purposely did not send a response directly to the King of Poland, rather they sent a response to the Duke of Prussia, who was now called the Hohenzollern. The Hohenzollern had been steadfast allies of the Poles, and in this case was no exception. A messenger was immediately sent to Poland, and all Russians were expelled from the great port of Danzig. When he heard of this Lord Golovkin sent a message to Lord Shuiski. When he received it Lord Shuiski began to move his army from its camp near Tblisi to a port on the Volga. It was then shipped to Tsaritsyn, and they began to march to the Donets. Two days after Lord Shuiski received this warning the King of Poland, after hastily assembling a small council, declared war against the Tsardom. He himself immediately sped to the main Polish army that was then sheltering to the southeast of Kharkov. Meanwhile his pre-eminent general, Jan Zamojski, was mustering troops at Kiev.
On the first day of the New Year Lord Golovkin ordered his troops across the border, into the lands of Byelorussia. A force of Lithuanians were stationed there. The two forces met near the town of Borisov on the Berezina. The Lithuanians were poorly led and ill-trained, and Lord Golovkin easily put them to flight. Soon afterward his scouts discovered an artillery train that was attempting to reach Belgorod, having set out from Vilnius. These Lord Golovkin destroyed, for they would have slowed him precisely when he needed speed. He turned his army into the Mozyr.
Meanwhile the Poles had not been idle. Bathory crossed the Donets and Zamojski marched across the Ukraine. Thus they encircled Belgorod from both sides. They constructed bridges, and thereby prevented supplies from being floated down the river. The Vovoede of Belgorod was one Vladimir Serebrianny. He had spent the last year making wise use of the monies the Cabinet had sent him, and as a result the Fortress was in paramount condition. Indeed, Lord Serebrianny had been able to improve the fortress in several important respects, and had made plentiful stocks of food. With enough men and material to stand a long siege he now waited for deliverance.
Lord Shuiski was as good as his word. He knew his army. They made the journey swiftly. Immediately his scouts informed him of the dispositions of the Poles he ordered an attack. For the Poles kept their armies one on each side of the river. This meant they were effectively divided, and although together they outnumbered him, individually they were weaker. The battle was glorious. Jan Zamojski, seeing the danger that Bathory was in tried to get his troops across the river. Lord Serebrianny though ordered several river boats be floated down the river, each laden with powder. Thus the southern bridges were destroyed. Shelling from the fort made the northern bridges perilous. Bathory fought hard, but at the end of the night was forced to retire with the survivors of his army northward along the riverbank. They travelled all night, and by morning we had lost trace of them. Lord Shuiski though was convinced that Bathory was now not a problem – the army under Zamojski was still considerable. For two weeks the forces watched each other, while Lord Shuiski had his men build many rafts. Some of his forces he ferried into the fort, but then on the appointed day, under cover of a heavenly mist, his army crossed the river on those rafts. For three days battle raged under the walls of Belgorod. On the third day Zamojski saw that the Russians were receiving reinforcements, while he was running out of all the things his men needed to fight. His army slipped away under cover of night, making for Moghilev.
Bathory fled northward, and finally crossed the river at a secret place. He then sped westward, for he believed that Zamojski was lost. In this he committed his greatest mistake, for had he turned south again and linked up with his general’s army it is unlikely that the battle of Belgorod could have been brought to its successful conclusion. As it was his small force was seen by scouts from Lord Golovkin’s advancing columns. There was a small, sharp engagement. Bathory escaped with his life, but little more. He fled to Warsaw, and left the conduct of the war to others. Lord Zamojksi, hearing of his king’s flight tried to find and follow him. Instead they came across Lord Golovkin, who trapped the Poles up against some marshes. Lord Zamojski died then from wounds and exhaustion. Thus passed away the best hope of the Polish nation, betrayed by his own king.
Lord Golovkin, after seeing that Lord Zamojski’s body was buried according to honour and custom, hurried further south. He had heard of a very large Polish army that had been raised from the rich lands along the Vistula, that he knew he was incapable of meeting. He passed through the lands about Chenigov. He then crossed the Dniepr north of Kiev, and descended through Podolia to the port of Ochakov on the Euxine Sea. There he dispersed the Jedisan Cossacks and invested the port.
From Moskva Lord Baratynksi moved his army to guard the approaches to Polotsk. A small Polish army, led by a Lithuanian magnate, thought to try to take advantage, but were safely repulsed. Meanwhile one Stanislas Lisowski, a great Lithuanian magnate, had command of the large army from the Vistula that mustered in the Mozyr. He then advanced to Kursk, to make a claim to so-called Polish Russia. However, upon hearing that Lord Shuiski had left Belgorod he turned southward thinking to seize that might fort. Lord Shuiski had turned into the Ukraine, hunting an army of Cossacks that the Poles were raising. He found and defeated it, before returning to Belgorod. He was on his way when news reached him Lisowski’s army.
So was fought the Second battle of Belgorod. It was a truly bloody affair. Lisowski’s force was already suffering from a lack of food, but they still numbered over twenty thousand and fought fiercely. Lord Shuiski had a little over thirty thousand, but by the time the battle was over only twelve thousand were found to be capable of fighting. Lisowski was killed when his horse was blown apart by a cannonball. The remnants of the army retired northward to Kursk. Lord Shuiski did not follow, but turned his sights southward. South was the Polish fortress of Poltava, which he now besieged.
Lord Baratynksi was heading towards Belgorod, after hearing news of the army of Lisowski. He finished off the survivors. It is rumoured that not one Pole escaped freely.
It was at this time that the Hohenzollern officially joined the war on the part of the Poles. He led his superb army to invest Polotsk. Meanwhile Lord Godunov had been able to equip a new force, the command of which he gave to Lord Moskvin. Lord Moskvin in his youth had taken part in the Ottoman raids, and now he led one of his own. He followed the route of Lord Golovkin to Podolia, but whereas Lord Golovkin was travelling in haste Lord Moskvin took time to lay waste to the countryside. From Podolia he retired through the lands about Kiev and Krementjug before wintering on the banks of the Donets in the Tsardom.
Because of the war Lord Godunov was able to get the Council to pass a series of laws that allowed him to appoint whomever he wished to command various armies, subject to the approval of the Cabinet. Thus was Lord Moskvin appointed, for Lord Moskvin although capable came from a lowly family of boyars. Lord Godunov also persuaded the Council to grant him wide ranging powers to secure the proper material needed for the war. By such measures was Lord Moskvin’s force, and later forces, equipped: by turning all the resources of the realm to the waging of war.
Aristocracy –1 Treasury slider to 100%
Lord Moskvin’s force was in winter camps when he heard about a mustering of Polish troops near Kiev. Lord Shuiski was committed to the siege of Poltava – a harsh commitment for the winter cold took its toll. So Lord Moskvin readied his troops and left their safe quarters to brave the blizzards. Showing true Russian spirit they erupted onto the Ukranian plans in February, completely surprising the Poles who were only half-prepared. There was not one single battle, more several dozen skirmishes and engagements in the snow. During the course of this winter campaign it became known that the Poles had been preparing to launch an assault on the army of Lord Golovkin. Instead of retiring back to the Tsardom Lord Moskvin opted instead to throw a cordon about the fortress of Krementjug. Thus he could guard Lord Golovkin’s flank and denied the Poles the only crossing point in that part of the Dniepr really sufficient for a sizeable army.
At about that time a small fleet of Polish galleys ventured into the Gulf of Finland, hoping to raid the Ingermanland coast. However the Tsardom was prepared. For some time a squadron of galleys had been maintained in Narva. These now ventured out, where they hunted the Polish ships, forcing them to retire for want of provisions. However, despite this and other successors some saw the opportunity to profit from the Tsardom’s engagements. In particular the Khan of the Turks of the White Sheep pressed his claim to two mountain valleys that the Tsardom had occupied when they claimed Armenia from the Ottoman. However, wishing a steady frontier, and not wishing to divert resources Lord Godunov gave the local vovoede permission to negotiate a binding treaty. Thus a conference was held, and along with the two valleys places where customs were to be levied were agreed, and a number of other disputes.
Settle Issue IN Boundary Dispute (Stability +1 Gold –20 QKK +20)
In April of the Year of Our Lord 1586 the fortress of Poltava fell to Lord Shuiski. His forces had been reduced by the winter, but now were burgeoned by new recruits. The Lithuanians had scraped together a somewhat sizeable army from the lands of Byelorussia, and gathered them at Kiev. It was plain that Kiev was the key to the whole of the Ukraine region, so Lord Shuiski had no hesitation about advancing to the Dniepr. Outside of Kiev he met the Lithuanians, strengthened by a few Poles, and after two pitched battles routed them. Kiev itself was well fortified, so, now aided by a proper siege train commanded by Lord Serebrianny, who had been entrusted with their command due to his knowledge of fortifications.
At about this time Lord Baratynksi, having wintered at Welikia, launched an attack on the Hohenzollern and his Prussian forces that were slowly reducing the fortress of Polotsk. Alas, the Prussians threw our brave soldiers back. The Hohenzollern spared no expense in the equipping and training of his troops, and his own skill on the battlefield was superior. He had been expecting such an attack, and had suitably prepared the ground. Lord Baratynksi had not choice but to retire. Nonetheless, this withdrawal had some skill to it and the greater part of the army was saved. Lord Godunov made sure that new recruits from Old Russia were sent to bolster his strength.
Towards the end of June the port of Ochakov, for some time supplied by sea by the Genoans, finally capitulated to Lord Golovkin. The final reason was when a relieving force from Podolia was beaten back. Lord Golovkin had not been idle during the siege however, and had trained his force to perfection. Having secured the port with a garrison he now put all of his skill and experience in an expedition that was God-touched and will surely be long remembered.
His army set off into Podolia, burning fields and wrecking buildings, but then continued on into Inner Poland. He passed through the lands of Galizien, and the people there had much to rue his passing. He then appeared outside the gates of Krakow, before continuing onward into the rich lands of Moravia and Silesia. Rumours spread before him, and a great flight of people attempted to run away. The fear he inspired disrupted all attempts by the Poles to mount a proper defence. He then moved through the rich plains of Wielkopolska before committing a final indignity on the Poles. For Christmas and the Feast of the Epiphany he invested the city of Warsaw, creating nearly unknown hardship for the people there and destroying the final shreds of credibility that Bathory had somehow retained.
Just after this Great Raid had begun Krementjug fell to the persistent efforts of Lord Moskvin. Alas however, this star now fell to earth, for Lord Moskvin slipped from his horse and broke his neck. His army went to join that of Lord Shuiski outside Kiev. In the north Polotsk finally was forced to open its gates to the Hohenzollern. But before the Prussians could decide where next to strike Lord Baratynksi offered battle with his reinforced and reinvigorated army. The following struggle was hardly elegant, for we had no ability to match the tactics or weaponry of the Prussians. Instead we put our faith in God and the trusty hearts of the Russian soldier. Lord Baratynksi had mustered over fifty thousand such brave hearts, and they were to prevail. There was no dramatic defeat however, the Hohenzollern retired after making sure Polotsk was properly garrisoned to the city of Minsk.
The Lithuanians from Byelorussia made several attempts to raise the siege of Kiev. While the Poles quaked in fear of Lord Golovkin and the Hohenzollern was forced back by Lord Baratynksi these poor demented fools through their lives away against Lord Shuiski and his men. Three separate attempts were made, but there was no organisation, each magnate leading his own doomed force. All perished, and for nought because Kiev was taken towards the end of December.
During the winter the Cabinet met in Smolensk, and planned the next season’s campaign, and also to make the decisions that were needed to be made by them all present. New forces were recruited and commanders were appointed. From Pskov and Novgorod a force was mustered and commanded by Lord Villatski. From Smolensk itself, and from Tula, and given charge of protecting the conference Lord Dulov was selected. From the city of Moskva and the rest of Old Russia a force was being formed under Lord Volyniski.
Lord Godunov reported that some of the laws of the Tsardom were allowed to go lax while all concentrated on fighting the Poles. The Boyars for the most part were making small gains. It was decided that provided these abuses did not become too serious the war would take precedence. Throughout the realm there was some relief at this decision. Amongst those of virtue the relief was because no Tsar or regent can fight both foreign enemies and the boyars at the same time. Amongst those who profited from such corruption the relief was more personal.
Ignore it IN Non-enforcement of the Ordinances (Stability +1 Centralisation –1)
Immediately following the Feast of the Epiphany Bathory emerged from Warsaw with the what men he could find in the gutters. He put up a fierce fight with Lord Golovkin, but eventually his army broke and his mind finally went. However, he did inflict enough casualties on Lord Golovkin that the brave general was forced to withdraw. However, Lord Golovkin did not retreat. Rather he embarked on another raid. First he returned to the fields of Wielkopolska, and he was going to terrorise the lands of Polish Pommerania when he received a deputation from local notables. They begged him to spare their lands, and told him a story of such cruel repression by the Poles that he was moved to sympathy. Instead he turned into the lands of the Hohenzollern, which he laid to waste.
He was unable however to prevent the Hohenzollern from being reinforced. The Prussians then launched another attack on Lord Baratynksi who was now besieging our own fortress of Polotsk that was being skilfully defended by its Prussian garrison. Lord Baratynksi had grown wiser however and was able to turn the Prussian blow aside. The Hohenzollern now attempted to commit his own Great Raid, but instead ran straight into the army of Lord Volyniski.
As this took place Lord Godunov released the new armies. Until now, apart from the fighting around Polotsk and the Great Raid the war had been concentrated in the lands of the Ukraine. Now that region was secured the forces of the Tsardom moved to take all of Byelorussia and also to command the Dniepr river. Lord Villatski invested the grand city of Minsk. Lord Dulov tackled the tricky lands of the Mozyr. To the south the army at Kiev was divided into two. Lord Shuiski took the larger part into Podolia while Lord Serebrianny was given his own command and moved to besiege Chernigov.
Poland, for a moment free of Lord Golovkin, mounted a hasty assembly to select a new King. Their choice fell upon Zygmunt Augustus III. He began to muster a new force to Warsaw. Meanwhile a force of Lithuanians from Vilnius attempted to break the siege of Minsk. Once again they were turned back. Zygmunt Augustus used this to argue that only he should have military control for the rest of the war. Likewise he was empowered to seek peace. Through the offices of the Swedes he sent envoys to Lord Godunov.
Just after the turn of midsummer Lord Serebrianny stormed the walls the Chenigov. However, the Jedisan Cossacks chose this moment to revolt. Lord Serebrianny, having secured the fortress, moved swiftly to put out this fire before it could spread. News then reached him that Lord Shuiski, old as he was, had passed away. He moved to Podolia and took command of the forces there.
At that time Lord Godunov received another embassy, from the Patriarch of Constantinople. The Patriarch himself took part, and conferred much honour on Lord Godunov. There were some in the Church that argued Lord Godunov ought to force the Patriarch to free the Russian people finally from the Greek Church. However, the Blessed Patriarch told Lord Godunov the tale of the travails of the Greeks under the infidel. He appealed to Lord Godunov’s sense of faith, and Lord Godunov was swayed. That winter the Cabinet met again in Smolenks. In the closing months Podolia, the Mozyr, and Minsk had all been secured, and Polotsk had been recaptured. There was no immediate replacement for Lord Shuiski. Lord Baratynksi argued against this proposal most vociferously, but was unable to convince. Lord Mansurov supported Lord Godunov. Lord Golovkin for the most part kept quiet, and it was his silence that enabled Lord Godunov to make the Great Epiphany Pronoucement.
He declared the Church was indivisible, and proclaimed that Tsargrad was the Tsardom’s by right of inheritance. The Patriarch invested the Tsar with the Imperial title, declaring him the Heir of Caesar, Augustus, and Constantine. He brought many Greeks into employment, and offered succour to the refugees of the Ottoman. This angered many boyars, including Lord Baratynksi. However, he also received support, especially from those boyars of the Steppes, Caucuses, and Siberia. Thus his position was for the moment secure, especially since he seemed to have the support of Lord Golovkin. Perhaps in acknowledgement Lord Golovkin was given power to negotiate a peace with the Poles to the advantage of the Tsardom.
No, we need Constantinople to lead the True Faith IN The Russian Orthodox Church declared independent of Constantinople (Stability –3 Centralisation –2 Innovativeness –1 DIP –3 ADM –2 (until 1820) Gain Greek culture Get CB shields on Dobrudja Rumelia Bulgaria Thrace Macedonia Hellas Morea)
As the season of the Year of Our Lord 1588 opened out troops moved across the Dniepr. Lord Serebrianny moved northward into Galizien, Lord Dulov crossed into Volynia, while Lord Villatski advanced into Lithuania and besieged Vilnius. However, almost immediately some Lithuania nobles rose the countryside around Minsk against the Russians. To their folly they had ignored Lord Baratynksi, but whatever the Marshal’s disputes with the Regent Lord Baratynksi was not about to risk the success of the war.
Lord Golovkin made another attempt on Warsaw, but King Zygmunt III had now organised his subjects and Lord Golovkin was forced to withdraw. King Zygmunt then threatened the position of Lord Dulov in Volynia, forcing him to withdraw across the Dniepr. He then followed on the heels of Lord Golovkin, who was once more in Wielkopolska. He retired to Krakow, and it was there that Zygmunt III and Lord Golvkin agreed to meet.
The Peace of Krakow was signed on the first day of November in the Year of Our Lord 1588. Zygmunt had persuaded his nobles that peace must be bought at any price, but he wrung as good a bargain as he could manage. Zygmunt was resigned to the loss of the Byelorussian lands and of the Ukraine, but was adamant that he would not give up Podolia. Golovkin allowed this on condition that independence be granted to Polish Pommerania. This was a bitter pill, but Zygmunt swallowed it. Thus was the Peace proclaimed, and thus I end this Book.