Papacy Lite - Less Calories : The Cole's Notes Version

[Lord Durham]

Papacy Lite - Less Calories: The Cole's Notes Version

Welcome to the Papacy Lite thread.

This is how the Papacy AAR would have looked before elements of RPG were introduced early in the game.
It is meant for those that find wading through 570+ posts to be too daunting a task

I should note that this AAR is being played in a 'reactive' mode. That is, I purposely don't go out looking for trouble (well, almost never) but certainly don't shy from trouble (well, almost never). That means there is a lot of coverage of the Rest of the World as seen through the eyes of the Papal Brothers.

If the reader wishes to get a feel for the RPG portion of the AAR then click on 'Barkdreg's Wedding' or 'The Battle of Burevic' in my signature area. These are two great examples of 'tag-team' writing by some extremely talented people. If anyone feels up to the challenge of creating a character and joining the RPG portion then you are more than welcome.

Hope you enjoy. Drink Papacy Lite today!

Addendum: I have added a few paltry screenshots...

 

[Lord Durham]

IGC 109c
hard/aggressive, random & historical events, lots of scotch, and some valium.


Rebirth: 1492 - 1503

Jan 1492

Treasury: 72d. Giovanni Battista Cibo, Pope Innocent VIII, was corrupt. He sold secular favours and pardoned murderers. He even acknowledged a son, who was no less a thief than his father. How did I know? I was tasked with recording the events of our Pope's 'illustrious' career. I was a scholar, well versed in languages, both oral and written, which allowed me to view the approved and forbidden texts, and allowed me to go places and question people that would have normally gained suspicion. But even with this freedom I was in fear, for like many merchants I knew, I kept two histories. There was the history which all had access to, and there was the secret history, the one you read now, which viewed the world as my humble eyes saw it. This was how the story began:

The Papal States had a standing army of 10000 (9000/1000/0) under Field Chief Judge d'Este, a fleet of 10 warships under Commodore Tiepolo and an alliance with France, Savoy and Brittany. Papal territories consisted of Rome, Romagna and Emilia. The Pope's diplomatic efforts gave the Papacy allies like Spain and Austria, though closer to home were unsavory competitors like Venice.

On February 14 Russia (Crimea, Ryazan and Pskov) declared war on Kazan, while February 26-27 saw Spain take Grenada from the Infidel and annex that territory once and for all. After centuries of occupation the heathen was no longer on Christian soil.

On March 22 France (Savoy, Brittany) declared war on England. Milan came to England's aid, but Spain declined to attend. France asked the Pope to honour her treaty and after short consultation Pope Innocent VIII agreed. Milan was on the northern border and the Pope saw profit in that. A loan of 200d was secured and 7000 infantry in Emilia and 4000 cavalry in Romagna were commissioned. The field army was dispatched to Emilia.

April found a further 2000 infantry assembled in Rome when word broke the Milanese army was on the move. The Army of the Holy Cross reached Emilia and continued its march to Milan.

In order to help secure the northwest border Pope Innocent VIII arranged a RM with Genoa. Rumor reached here that Savoy had defeated the Milanese army in combat around May 4. Field Chief Judge d'Este, though outwardly enraged at being unable to partake in the battle, was inwardly relieved that his forces had not been tested. The Pope was not a man to displease. That relief was short lived however. On May 8 scouts informed d'Este the Milanese army under Sforza (though with the turmoil that family had suffered over the past couple of decades I was not sure 'which' Sforza was leading) had crossed into Emilia, perhaps thinking the Papacy would be easier pickings than the Savoyards. d'Estes caught up with them and defeated the invaders 3 days later, killing approximately 2000 while suffering 600 casualties. He continued with the advance into Milan on order of the Pope, though remnants of the Milanese army would remain at large. On a totally different matter the Pope arranged a RM with Portugal on May 26.

June 4 found the army entrenched in Milan but undermanned, forcing d'Estes to wait for reinforcements. On a side note the Pope proclaimed that a merchant had established business in Venice. The middle of June saw a newly created army in Emilia hunt down Sfroza's ragtag collection and inflict another defeat on them, killing 1300 while suffering 350 casualties. Reinforcements from France under General Di Filace arrived from the west and the siege of Milan began. Newly appointed Col. Ticino pursued and engaged General Sforza's army in Romagna inflicting 540 casualties without losing a man, or so he claimed. He continued to pursue the enemy in Italy while the siege of Milan continued.

On July 21 Col.Ticino destroyed the Milanese army in Romagna, inflicting 3000 casualties while sustaining 3360 casualties of his own. The Pope, while pleased, found the looting and burning of Emilia and Romagna most disturbing. It probably distressed him more that it cut into profits. None of it was to matter, for on July 28 'glorious' Pope Innocent VIII died. While his legacy was one of corruption and anarchy, he would pale in comparison to his successor, Rodrigo de Borgia, who took the title Pope Alexander VI.

August saw Russia (Crimea, Ryazan and Pskov) accept Venice into their alliance, while Russia and Kazan made peace, with Kazan paying 98d and ceding Lipetsk to Russia as payment.

October 12 was a glorious day for the newly consecrated Pope. Milan fell to the combined forces of France and the Army of the Holy Cross. Shrewdly Pope Alexander VI arranged a RM with France, passing off some member of his extended family, I presume. He saw great worth in that alliance, more so that Spain was France's mortal enemy, and Naples to the south was a vassal of Spain.

Jan 1493

Treasury: 52d. The first quarter of the year was quiet, with only two events of any note. Given the absurdities of politics of the day, Naples, a Spanish vassal, entered an alliance with her protectorate. Secondly, advances in the construction of field artillery were implemented. (LT 3)

On March 4 the Pope signed a peace treaty with Milan, as the siege was diverting resources which Pope Alexander VI wished to use elsewhere. The terms were very good, though, for the Milanese paid Pope Alexander VI 250d to cover expenses. The money was used to commission (1000/1000/0) troops in Emilia and a further (1000/0/10) in Romagna.

A Brother informed me that Turkey had declared war on the Mameluks March 20th. We crossed ourselves and prayed they would wipe each other and their heathen cities from the face of the earth. How un-Christian, but they were just barbarians, after all. I quickly amended my prayer asking to leave their libraries intact.

The balance of the year saw the Pope arrange RM's with Spain and Austria meaning two more hapless Borgia's sent abroad. On December 11 France annexed Milan. Outwardly the Pope congratulated their close ally, but secretly he ranted and kicked things. He had wanted that prize for himself.

Jan 1494

Treasury: 137d. As the Pope solidified his hold on the Papacy both internally and externally I must bring attention to the rumours of death to anyone who opposed this man, his family and friends. As God is my witness they were true. There was a silent reign of terror as opponents and critics, no matter how insignificant (including us scholars) were found dead, usually by poison, but often by out and out murder. This was not a fun time.

January saw Persia enter an alliance with Poland-Lithuania and Moldavia, while February had Spain (Naples, Lorraine) invite Helvetia, The Palatinat and Scotland to their group. Finally England entered an alliance with The Teutonic Order and Prussia. Peace overtures to England were rebuffed since The Pope was still at war with the island nation. After taking out his anger on an unfortunate monk, The Pope decided that a policy of doing nothing would bring an end to the conflict, reasoning that England was so far away even the English wouldn't be daft enough to prosecute such a war over extended distances.

On April 27 the Mameluks and Turkey made peace, with Turkey receiving Judea, Lebanon and 44d. In May the advanced rudder (NT-1) was adapted to the Papal fleet. On the diplomatic front Denmark joined the Russian (Crimea, Ryazan, Pskov, Venice) Coaltion; Portugal and Brandenburg joined the Hanseatic (Pommerania, Holstein) Alliance and Hannover allied with Saxony. Relations with Venice, having improved over time, allowed the Pope to arrange a RM between the two states.

On May 23 a combined force from France, Brittany and Savoy captured Calais from the English.

In August Cologne joined the Spanish (Naples, Lorraine, Helvetia, The Palatinat, Scotland) Alliance, while
Poland-Lithuania (Moldavia, Persia) declared war on The Teutonic Order (Prussia, England). England now fought two separate wars, including the one against Rome.

The end of the year saw the Pope arrange a RM with Hungary. Some wondered when he would run out of family to give away.

Jan 1495

Treasury: 155d.

In March spies informed the Pope that at least 8 English ships had been spotted along the Barbery Coast. In disbelief the Pope ordered the army to mobilise, muttering something about crazy Englishmen. By July the English fleet had been sighted in the Adriatic Sea. The Pope decided not to meet them with the navy, stating it was a resource he had no desire to waste. He rightly believed his army could handle a small expeditionary force and on August 9 word reached the English had landed in Emilia. Field Chief Judge d'Este immediately marched to intercept this reckless band of hooligans.

After initial skirmishing and maneuvers, d'Estes' force (12625/3689/10) totally surprised the English army (7672/1935/0) on the dawn of September 18 and inflicted massive casualties, killing 4580 souls without a single loss, though, like Col. Ticino's report from June of '92, I found that part extremely hard to believe. Nevertheless Field Chief Judge d'Este would spend the better part of 4 weeks hounding the rogue English army, bringing them to several battles in Romanga and inflicting some 3116 casualties while suffering 435 in return. The English army, desperately on the run, would be intercepted near Rome by a newly raised force of (1000/0/0) under Col.Toscinini. Sadly the unseasoned Colonel would see his force annihilated by the desperate English. Pope Alexander VI, in a rage, would order d'Estes to finish this once in for all, while the hapless Col.Toscinini would never be heard from again.

Jan 1496

Treasury: 327d. The merchants and traders, ever eager to curry favour, gifted the Pope with 200d for his efforts in opening up the Venetian trade market. (Special Event: 200d) Alexander VI used the windfall and ordered troops to be raised in Emilia (1000/0/0) and Rome (1000/0/0). In a move to make tax collection more efficient he promoted a Bailiff in Romagna. The people, as expected, were not amused.

On January 6 Poland-Lithuania made peace with The Teutonic Order, paying 210d and ceding Lithuania to the venerable Knightly order. In February d'Estes finally cornered and destroyed the remainder of the English invasion force in Emilia. The rest of the year passed without incident.

Jan 1497

Treasury: 275d. The year began darkly. Juan de Borgia, Duke of Gandia, and overall commander of the Papal armies for the past year was most foully murdered. His older brother Cesare Borgia arrived at court as new commander of the Papal Army. It should be mentioned these two were sons of Rodrigo de Borgia, the Pope. Cesare had been appointed a Cardinal in 1493 and became a close advisor to his father, and it was said he became extremely jealous of his younger brother. Suffice to say the more malicious rumors linked Cesare to the death of Juan. It was certainly not spoken of openly if you valued your tongue. I thought my tongue looked fine right where it was.

January 20 saw England and France end their war, with Calais passing to French rule. Domestically the Pope's tax reforms continued with the promotion of another Bailiff in Emilia along with a commission to build a further 1000 infantry in that province. In February the monies procured for the war effort were paid back with interest (loan repaid).

On August 2 Venice declared war on Ragusa. All Venetian allies except Ryazan joined in (Crimea, Pskov, Russia, Denmark). The bullies. I felt sorry for tiny Ragusa. On the same day the Pope announced the Mameluks had joined our alliance (France, Savoy, Brittany, Papal States). Strange bedfellows indeed. In September Ryazan was invited back into the Russian Coalition.

My admiration went to Ragusa and my finger to Venice. Over the course of November and December they managed to defeat 2 Venetian armies which had invaded their borders, chasing the remnants away with an unholy glee.

Jan 1498

Treasury: 44d.

On February 8 Poland-Lithuania (Moldavia, Persia) declared war on Turkey (Hafsid Empire). At home 1000 infantry was commissioned in Emilia and in March another 3000 infantry was authorised in Romagna.

The year came to a close with Algiers entering the Turkish Union (Hafsid Empire). Of greater importance to the Papal navy was the announcement that shipwrights had been retained with the skill to construct Caravels (NT-2).

Jan 1499

Treasury: 193d. 10 artillery pieces were commissioned in Emilia, while England finally came to their senses declaring a White Peace with the Pope.

In January Austria (Bohemia, Hungary, Wurtemburg) accepted Bavaria into their alliance and in August Moldavia and Turkey made peace, with Moldavia paying 250d in war reparations. In November Poland-Lithuania and Turkey made peace with Poland-Lithuania receiving Dobrudga as compensation.

Jan 1500

Treasury: 151d. Stories abound about Cesare's debaucheries. He surrounded himself with gold, women and fine clothes, and had successfully isolated his father the Pope from any close friend or advisor by means of murder and poison. It struck your humble servant that Cesare meant to claim power for himself, even at the expense of his father. Wine, women, fine clothes. The lucky bas...

In January the Golden Horde (Astrakhan) declared war on Kazan. Countries to the east that merited little attention from this writer. In February the Pope arranged RMs with Bavaria and Savoy, though Wurtemberg and Baden declined. Obviously Wurtemberg and Baden were offered the dregs off the family tree. I've seen some of them, I'd decline too. Regardless, the northern borders appeared to be quite secure with the exception of Venice. In March Navarra joined the French Alliance (Savoy, Brittany, Papal States, Mameluks).

Jan 1501

Treasury: 180d. In February an explorer named Carrere volunteered to carry out explorations in the name of the Pope. The Pope, though bemused, did not wish to expend resources on such ventures at that time. On February 21, in what had been an extremely short war, Kazan paid 59d to the Golden Horde for peace.

In August the Teutonic Order (Prussia, England) declared war on Poland-Lithuania (Moldavia, Persia). Cesare apparently went on a tirade about being surrounded by war with no opportunity for glory. I am surprised his father didn't box him about the ears for a few hours.

On December 10 Ragusa and Denmark made peace, with Ragusa paying 250d in war indemnities. I must have missed the part where Denmark managed to get a force all the way around Europe to threaten tiny Ragusa. Still, for the past four years Ragusa had managed to remain independent, much to her credit. The Papal moneylenders were not giving them very good long-term odds, though.

Jan 1502

Treasury: 208d. Though an uneventful year as far as news was concerned, I must mention two particular people I had the fortune to meet. Over the past few months Cesare Borgia had managed to recruit the best officers and soldiers from Italy into his army, which no doubt explained way he was so desperate to try it out in battle. The man appointed as Chief Engineer went by the name of Leonardo Da Vinci, known to me by reputation as an artist and thinker. Indeed, I had the privilege to view some of his sketches and I confess they were beyond me. In fact, some of his ideas were downright outrageous. Imagaine a winged machine!Every idiot knew that man would never fly... The other person was a Florentine ambassador attached to Cesare's staff called Niccolò Machiavelli. An interesting man and a scholar much like myself?. Like myself. Right! Who was I kidding. This man was famous, surrounded by fawning admirers, while I sat in a dark candle lit cubbyhole writing this crap? I bet he even had his own publisher. But I digress...

On January 18 Denmark annexed Holstein and on December 3 Poland-Lithuania accepted peace with the Teutonic Order, giving up Polotsk and paying 190d in war reparations.

Jan 1503

Treasury: 237d. 1000 infantry were commissioned in Romagna while new advances in artillery were implemented (LT-4). In June final loan repayments were made to the moneylenders (200d).

It was August 18 and the church bells rang a mournful dirge, though for many it would be a time of great joy, even drink. Yes, lots of drink. Pope Alexander VI had died. His cause of death was controversial, but I had it on good authority that he accidentally poisoned himself. Forgive me for gloating, but God's will was done. By a strange twist of fate, his son took ill at the same time. Coincidence? I think not...

The man to succeed Alexander VI was Francesco Todeschini Piccolomini, who took the name of Pope Pius III. He was no friend of the Borgias and I could see that particular power base swing swiftly like a pendulum. As a side note, Giuliano della Rovere, a man who had been living in exile for ten years because of the Borgias, quietly returned to court, but more on him shortly.

In September France annexed Brittany.

In October the church bells, which had just stopped chiming for Alexander VI, rang anew as the recently ordained Pope Pius III passed away, apparently of natural causes, as the man was some 63 years of age. It was surely a record in Papal longevity. His successor was the aforementioned Giuliano della Rovere, who came to be known as Pope Julius II - the Warrior Pope.

 

[Lord Durham]

The Road to Stability: 1504 - 1516

Jan 1504

Treasury: 57d. It should be noted that among the first edicts Julius enacted was to forbid 'simony', the act of buying votes. With this step it was hoped that future Popes would be duly elected and not bought as had happened so often in the past.

In May Astrakhan (Golden Horde) declared war on the Crimea (Russia, Venice, Denmark). Pskov and Ryazan dishonoured their agreement with Crimea, though in July they were both invited back into the alliance. In September the Papal navy began placing guns on board their ships, adapting that idea from some of the major powers. (NT-3)

Jan 1505

Treasury: 86d.

In April the Golden Horde made peace with Russia, giving up Saratow and paying 43d in indemnities.

On June 20, catching all by surprise, Venice captured and annexed Ragusa, while in July Astrakhan and Russia signed a peace deal with Astrakhan paying 100d in war damages.

Holstein declared it's independence from Denmark in October and even went as far as declaring war on their former overlord. Wisely, Denmark's allies removed themselves from the local matter. On November 14 Field Chief Judge d'Este passed away. The Pope declared a period of mourning and a state funeral for the hero of the English invasion.

Jan 1506

Treasury: 116d.

On February 26 Russia entered into an alliance with Venice, and in June Pope Julius II ordered the walls around Ancona in Romagna to be strengthened as part of his plan to bring strength and stability back to the Papacy.

In August the Golden Horde was defeated and annexed by the Crimea, though I confess to knowing little of politics out there. On September 10 Russia (Venice) declared war on Kazan.

December 28 was another glorious day. Cesare Borgia had been arrested and jailed on orders of the Pope. The man was freed as part of a deal, only to flee to Naples where last I heard the Spanish Viceroy had him imprisoned. I confess that my exclamation of "Woo-Hoo!" disturbed the other Brothers from their prayers.

Jan 1507

Treasury: 37d. To close the final chapter on Cesare Borgia, the man was taken to Spain where he escaped and was subsequently killed in Navarra fighting rebels. A fitting end for such a despicable worm!

On February 24 Astrakhan settled with Crimea, paying 186d and ceding Volgograd to Crimea in the agreement. In March a newly independent Holstein re-entered its old alliance with The Hanseatic League (Pommerania, Portugal, Brandenburg), while in April Thuringen entered into an alliance with Hessen and Kleves. Holstein's independence was short lived, however, for later that year she was conquered and annexed by Denmark once again.

Jan 1508

Treasury: 68d. A grand project indeed, or insanity. Maybe both. Yeah, probably both. An artist called Michelangelo had been commissioned by Pope Julius II to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel here in Rome. Most of us thought it would be a foolish undertaking, but I imagined only time would tell.

On January 14 Pskov declared war on the Teutonic Order (England, Prussia) and in February word reached us that Spain and The Aztec Empire had declared a White Peace. Forgive this scribe as news of that particular war had escaped me completely. On hearing the news the Pope was heard to ask 'What is this Aztec Empire? Are they Christian? Do they know the Sacraments? Do they like parades?"

March 14 found the Pope in a foul mood, for Spain had annexed her long time vassal Naples, until someone pointed out that this was a good thing, and proceeded to explain the politics...

In August the agreement with the Papal State and her allies expired, but through the tireless efforts of Pope Julius II France, Savoy and Navarra were brought back into the fold. The Pope even sent queries to the Mameluks but they decided to remain unaligned. No loss I might add. These last comments of mine rang true, I must admit, for in September Turkey (Hafsid Empire, Algiers) declared war on the Mameluks. I believe God had delivered us from a disastrous war.

From the period of November 1 - 10 Naples revolted against Spanish rule but was put down brutally with the loss of many peasant lives. Barbaric Spaniards!

Jan 1509

Treasury: 98d. I have to mention this occurrence. During the course of the year I made the acquaintance of a young Augustinian monk who hailed from Wittenberg in Saxony. The Pope was raising money by selling 'indulgences', papers that guaranteed protection from 'Purgatory'. His target audience was the common folk, who he found liked to buy pretty shiny things or anything religious. This monk was quite enraged by the whole affair and went totally Infidel. If I remember correctly his name was Martin Luther. Like a person who ate too many cabbages, we would all hear from him later.

In April Sweden and Denmark formed an alliance, as did Pskov, Poland-Lithuania, Persia and Moldavia.

On November 1 the peasants in Milan revolted against French rule, and on the 26th Pskov forced a peace with the Teutonic Order, receiving Estonia and 133d in compensation.

Jan 1510

Treasury: 128d. Pope Julius II ordered the walls around Rome to be strengthened. Meanwhile his policies had resulted in a massive influx of cash to our trade and infrastructure. (Special Event, TL-3, I-3)

In April Kazan and Russia made peace, with Russia receiving 250d in war damages. In July Denmark annexed Sweden, and on October 13 the Mameluks paid 27d to Algiers to secure peace.

Jan 1511

Treasury: 49d

On April 1 Milan became independent and declared war on France. Savoy and Navarra dishonoured the treaty, with Navarra joining the Spanish (Lorraine, Helvetia, The Palatinat, Scotland, Cologne) Alliance later that month. By astute diplomatic maneuvering Pope Julius II managed to bring Savoy back into the treaty, then with an eye on Milan, proclaimed his support for France. The Papal troops (14555/4560/20) were mobilised, and Pope Julius II, resplendent in full armour atop his war-horse, iron-shod horseshoes sparking off the cobblestones, led his army to war.

From May 27 - June 2 Julius II engaged the enemy in Emilia and inflicted 1561 casualties on the Milanese army, pursing them back into Milan. Papal States (14537/4558/20) Milan (1441/0/0).

On July 3 - 4 the Pope caught the remnants of the army in Milan and utterly crushed them. He quickly followed up the victory by laying siege to the city. I should note that even though France was at war with Milan, she had no way of reaching the province without violating her neighbours' borders, thus Pope Julius II saw this as an opportunity for some major gains for the Papacy.

Jan 1512

Treasury: 69d.

On February 4, after a protracted siege, Pope Julius II took Milan. Leaving behind an occupying force he returned in glory to Rome.

July found some old alliances dissolve and new treaties form. Austria and Wurtemburg allied together and Hungary joined the Russian (Venice) Coalition.

In August Milan remained under Papal control. 1000 cavalry were commissioned in Romagna, and in September Pope Julius II, ever the statesman as well as soldier and spiritual leader, convinced Bavaria and Bohemia to join the Papal Alliance (France, Savoy)

In October groups of explorers and settlers petitioned the Pope to allow exploration of the new lands. The Pope was somewhat hesitant as negotiations to exchange maps with some of the sea-faring nations were met with stiff refusal. He finally declared that he would reserve judgement until the political air cleared. (Sp.Event: Colonial Dynamism) Michelangelo finished his 'insane project'. I had seen it, and it was truly a masterpiece. I wondered if he would paint my Sister.

Jan 1513

Treasury: 59d. From across the sea it was learned that James IV of Scotland had died, to be replaced by a regent until James V came of age.

February 2 was a sad day for Rome. Pope Julius II, the Warrior Pope, passed away. History would remember him as the man who brought the Papacy back from the brink of destruction. A statesman, spiritual leader, diplomat and soldier, he would be greatly missed. Fortunately his replacement turned out to be no slouch. His name was Giovanni de' Medici, ruler in all but name of the Florentine Republic. Upon consecration he became Pope Leo X.

In October the Hafsid Empire and the Mameluks made peace, with the Hafsid's receiving Cyrenaica and Quattara. It was a bitter pill for the Mameluks to swallow.

Jan 1514

Treasury: 90d.

An extremely quiet year, with the only event being a peasant uprising in March where Naples once again revolted against Spanish rule, though once again it was brutally crushed. Barbaric Spaniards.

Jan 1515

Treasury: 120d. Martin Luther, the man I had met so many years before, had come back to haunt Rome. His 'Ninety-five Theses' had formed the basis of what some were calling 'The Reformation'. I think God was punishing the unworthy.

On March 11 the Pope promoted the first Legal Counsel in Rome, yet another step to improve the tax base.

May 12 found the war between the weakened Mameluks and Turkey over with the Mameluks annexed.

Flush from victory Turkey (Hafsid Empire, Algiers) declared war August 28 on Hungary (Venice). Russia refused to honour its treaty with Hungary.

On October 11, tiring of the constant diplomatic banter with Milan, Pope Leo X decided to end the war by negotiating a monetary settlement. The Pope was strict in his negotiations and came away with the outstanding sum of 1100d. The Pope did not care that he had for all intents and purposes cleaned out the Milanese treasury. The army would return home after 4 years on foreign soil. Shortly after a White Peace was signed between France and Milan. It would appear that Milan would remain independent.

In November a Legal Counsel was promoted in Emilia, while armies were commissioned in Rome (2000/0/0), Emilia (1000/1000/10) and Romagna (0/1000/10). The Pope was putting his newly found wealth to quick use.

In December Leo X was informed that a monopoly had been achieved in Venice for the first time. One week later Poland-Lithuania (Moldavia, Persia, Pskov) declared war on Turkey (Hafsid Empire, Algiers).

Jan 1516

Treasury: 761d.

In April a galley was commissioned in Romagna, and in May a Legal Counsel was promoted in that province. June 13 found Moldavia conquered and annexed by Turkey, while in September 5000 infantry was commissioned in Rome.

October 15 - WAR! There was a flurry of activity as news of war filtered through the halls and courtyards of Rome. France (Savoy, Bavaria, Bohemia, Papal States) had declared war on Spain (Lorraine, Helvetia, The Palatinat, Scotland, Cologne, Navarra). Pope Leo X, the self styled civilised Pope, was about to claim his own page in history, but what would it be?

 

[Lord Durham]

The War Between France and Spain: 1516 - 1524

November found Portugal (Hanseatic, Pommerania) take advantage of the state of affairs and declare war on France (Savoy, Papal States). Brandenburg dishonoured the Portuguese alliance while Bavaria and Bohemia dishonoured the Papal alliance. Pope Leo X was not overtly concerned with Portugal and saw no reason to shift strategy. He did manage to convince Bohemia and Bavaria to return to the fold just as Brandenburg returned to the Portuguese camp.

In December the Pope commissioned (2000/1000/0) troops in Emilia and a further (2000/1000/0) in Rome.

Jan 1517

Treasury: 434d. Wasting little time, a Papal army (13000/0/40) under command of Col.Verdi marched into Naples and laid siege to the capital, while a second army (7000/5488/0) under Col.Alberti proceeded to Apulia.

In early March Poland-Lithuania made peace with Turkey, receiving Bujak from the Turks. The resistance in mountainous Apulia was somewhat stiffer as the Papal army suffered a defeat with Alberti losing 964 men (5254/0/0). Enemy losses were estimated at 270 (744/836/20). Col.Verdi was ordered to leave a cover force in Naples and proceed to Apulia to rendezvous with Alberti..

In May the following troops were commissioned in Emilia (2000/0/0) and Romagna (2000/0/0). On May 7 (10000/2000/0) soldiers boarded ship and set sail for Sicily. Col.Verdi's march to Apulia was aborted when word reached a Spanish force had left that province and was moving on Naples. On May 19 the Pope renewed a RM with Genoa while in late May Spanish attempts to lift the siege of Naples failed miserably, resulting in the total destruction of their army. Col.Verdi wrote to say he had suffered only 144 casualties (15414/4998/40), and that all of Italy south of Rome was free of any Spanish resistance, excepting the cities of course.

In June the Papal army arrived in Apulia and commenced the siege of Foggia, while in August Savoy made peace with The Palatinat, paying 153d in war indemnities.

The Sicilian expedition landed unopposed October 2 and laid siege to Palermo while the investitures of Naples and Apulia progressed as well. It was Pope Leo's hope that Spain would find itself too caught up in the continental war to send her armies to this part of the Mediterranean, and so far he had been correct.

On November 21 France conquered and annexed Helvetia. The Pope saw this as a good time to renew a RM with her ally. In December Papal forces besieging the capital of Apulia was attacked by peasants, who proved little hindrance to the soldiers and were promptly crushed. At the end of December Savoy sued for peace with Lorraine, paying 105d in war damages.

Jan 1518

Treasury: 414d. 10 guns were commissioned in Romagna.

On February 19 Naples fell in siege. Sadly, Col.Verdi died in the final days from an enemy sortie. The Pope turned command over to Col.Berese, who left a garrison in Naples and marched the remainder of his army south to aid in the siege of Foggia.

In March Papal blacksmiths cast the first metal cannon balls, using methods gathered from other nations. It was easy to see they were far more efficient and deadlier than the stone ammunition they had replaced. (NT-4) On March 22 Hungary and Turkey made peace, with Moldavia passing to Hungary.

In May (5000/0/0) troops were commissioned in Emilia. Col.Berese arrived in Apulia to reinforce the siege of Foggia. In August 10 guns were loaded aboard ship bound for Sicily and 5000 more infantry were commissioned in Romagna.

On October 7 Papal forces captured Apulia. In just under two years Pope Leo X, the man whom the Sacred College of Cardinals elected because of his peaceful nature, had conquered southern Italy. It was truly amazing what a peace loving man, when forced into circumstances beyond his control, could achieve. Either that or it was an act. Col.Berese left a garrison and proceeded to Messina.

Towards the end of December it was learned that Savoy had fallen to a combined army from Spain, Navarra and Cologne. She agreed to peace with Spain at the cost of 17d and peace with Navarra for a return to the Status Quo.

Jan 1519

Treasury: 264d. Hannover joined the Spanish alliance, while RMs was renewed with Bohemia, Austria and Poland-Lithuania. On January 14 Karl V of Austria was elected Holy Roman Emperor, and on January 28 France and Navarra signed a treaty with France ceding Bearn to Navarra.

On March 28 France signed a peace treaty with Lorraine, receiving 191d in compensation, while at the same time paying 250d to make peace with The Palatinat. Allies of both sides were dropping like flies.

On April 8 The Teutonic Order (Prussia, England) declared war on Pskov (Poland-Lithuania, Russia), while on April 21 a Spanish relief force landed in Messina but were soundly thumped over the course of several days with losses on the Papal side said to number 673 men. (4698/2080/37)

In May Algiers (Turkey, Hafsid Empire) declared war on Morocco and in June Prussia accepted peace with Poland-Lithuania, paying the latter 74d.

August found victory and defeat as the Papal navy (8/0/0) engaged and defeated a Portuguese squadron (4/0/0) off the coast of Italy, but not before a small Portuguese army of 4000 men had landed in Emilia. They defeated a Papal army of 5000 infantry, inflicting 1266 casualties and suffering 1713 in return. It was a Pyrrhic victory for the enemy. The Papal army retreated to Romagna where it was reinforced by a further 5000 infantry. After looting Emilia, and before the reinforced Papal army could counterattack, the Portuguese army boarded ship to return home, but was caught by the Papal fleet on October 3. The resulting battle cost the Portuguese one ship. To close the month 1000 cavalry was authorised in Emilia.

In early December the Pope ordered a halt to the siege of Palermo in order to reinforce the siege of Messina. God, as has often been mentioned ad nauseum, could work in mysterious ways. No sooner had the siege of Palermo been raised, then Messina fell to the Papal soldiers. Thanking the Lord, but questioning His timing, Pope Leo X ordered a garrison left behind while the Papal army took up the siege of Palermo once again.

Jan 1520

Treasury: 307d. The year began with festivities as a RM with Hungary was arranged.

On January 5 the Teutonic Order and Poland-Lithuania made peace, with the Knights paying 20d and giving up possession of Lithuania. On the 18th Spain paid 235d to Savoy as part of their peace settlement.

In March 4000 infantry was dispatched to Sicily while a further 4000 infantry was commissioned in Romagna. In May the Papal armies were fit with a Spanish invention, the arquebus. Apparently the name was derived from German words meaning 'hooked gun'. I would prefer to call it a thunder-maker, or BOOM-STICK. (LT-5)

On July 23 Palermo fell to the victorious Papal armies. It can never be said that Pope Leo X was slow to act. In less than four years he had taken four Spanish provinces and defeated all forces sent against him. His next act was to arrange a treaty with the Spanish, for he felt it was time to end the war in a position of advantage. We all nodded sagely. On August 22 the Papal States and Spain signed the Treaty of Rome with the Pope receiving Naples and Apulia from the Spaniard. Pope Leo X had indeed found his page in the history books. It was time for a little celebration. Just a little...

Though the war with Spain was finished the war with her allies continued, and in November a Hanseatic fleet was sighted off the coast of Romagna. All available forces were assembled there. Elsewhere, the Teutonic Order agreed to pay Pskov 97d for a peace settlement.

On December 4 a Hanseatic army numbering some 5940 men landed in Emilia and commenced a siege. The Papal army in Romagna, numbering (7697/1995/0) men under Col.Bertone was ordered to confront the invader and proceeded to march to Emilia.

Jan 1521

Treasury: 314d. I wish to note that over the past couple of years the news of Martin Luther's preaching had reached this city and made for infrequent bursts of outrage. I had been told that Pope Leo X was of the mind that this particular heresy, like others before it, would pass in time. However, the middle of last year saw Luther openly defy the Pope, forcing Leo, on January 3 of this year, to excommunicate the heretic. I'm sure Luther was really put out by that.

In early January Col.Bertone engaged the Hanseatic army over the span of a couple of weeks, totally routing them and inflicting 4050 losses compared to Papal losses of 1371. Papal States (6554/1767/0) Hanseatic (1840/0/0). The retreating enemy marched toward Romagna and into the welcoming arms of the newly arrived army of Col.Berese, the victor of Sicily. A galley was commissioned in Naples and a transport each was commissioned in Apulia and Romagna.

During the first week of February the remainder of the Hanseatic invasion force managed to evade the core of Col.Berese' forces, but were finally brought to battle on February 7, suffering 1584 casualties to Papal losses of 250. That would show the buggers!

In September a rebel uprising spread in Apulia forcing troops to be dispatched to the newly obtained province. On the 24th Morocco and Turkey signed a peace agreement with Morocco paying 43d in war indemnities. The revolt was put down by October and 2000 infantry was requisitioned in Apulia to help make up losses.

In November the Pope renewed RMs with Spain, Navarra, and Venice. Peace overtures to Portugal were rejected.

Jan 1522

Treasury: 198d. Seduced by Martin Luther and urged on by their heretical priests, Wurtemburg had succumbed to this so-called 'Reformed Christianity'. Austria, God fearing Christians that they were, expelled them from their alliance. For one of the few times ever, the Pope's diplomatic acumen deserted him as Austria resisted any argument to join the Papal Alliance.

January 10 was a sad day for Christendom. Pope Leo X died suddenly without explanation. His nine-year rule was one of peace and war, of great gains and much loss. His reforms and conquests restored pride to the Italian people, but his apparent misunderstanding of the heretical Reformation movement led to disastrous results. And it would only get worse.

His successor was a learned man, a professor of theology no less, who numbered among his pupils Desiderius Erasmus, a noted Dutch philosopher, and most surprisingly a fellow countryman, for Adrian Florenszoon Boeyens, who came to be known as Pope Adrianus VI, was Dutch.

In February Rebel Scum revolted again in Apulia. The revolt was put down, and 2000 additional infantry was commissioned there. The only other event of any note for the balance of the year was Russia (Venice, Hungary) inviting Milan into their Coalition. The new Pope was not at all impressed.

Jan 1523

Treasury: 236d.

In January Algiers signed a peace treaty with Morocco giving up 206d and the principality of Orania.

A month later word of a fleet of 11 Portuguese ships sighted in the Adriatic Sea prompted the Papal armies to mobilise. (4000/1000/0) troops were commissioned in Naples.

In March a force of 11871 Portuguese infantry defeated a Papal army of 8321 men in Emilia and forced a retreat to Romagna. The losses under Col.Bertone were 3150 men (3929/1241/0) while the Portuguese losses were 2390 infantry (9481/0/0). The Portuguese laid siege to Emilia, and Col.Ficcino (4235/3007/43) awaited Bertone's retreating army in Romagna. Once they had linked up divine retribution would be at hand.

On June 1 the reinforced army of Col.Ficcino (9770/6671/43) set off for Emilia to engage the Portuguese. 2000 infantry was recruited in Romagna. During the campaign word reached the Pope that Portugal and Savoy had signed a peace deal with Savoy receiving 112d. The following day the Teutonic Order (Prussia, England) declared war on Russia (Venice). Hungary and Milan dishonoured the treaty. A week later
Nubia and Turkey made peace with Turkey receiving 24d in war damages. Toward the end of June the Papal army under Col.Ficcino engaged the Portuguese in Emilia and utterly destroyed them, losing only 651 men (9340/6450/43). The Pope, having grown weary of this war, made it known he wanted an end to it.

In August Poland-Lithuania (Persia) declared war on Russia (Venice, Hungary). Pskov reneged on their alliance with Poland-Lithuania and decided to stay home.

On September 9 (8000/0/30) troops under the command of Col.Corelli boarded ship and set sail toward Portugal.

A week later Pope Adrianus VI died. His reign was too short to judge, and there was not much to say about the man. His replacement was Giulio de' Medici, a cousin of glorious Leo X. He took on the name Pope Clemens VII.

Perhaps it was a sign from God, and maybe it wasn't, can't be sure... Anyway, on November 19, barely one month after Clemens VII became Pope, Rome's part in the Spanish-French War ended. After seven years of continual conflict France and Portugal made peace with France paying 250d in war indemnities. For France the war would continue with her allies Bohemia and Bavaria on one side and Spain, Scotland and Cologne on the other. Rome's part was finished. The recently launched naval expedition would be recalled, though how they were contacted at sea is a mystery to me. Rumours would spread as to their destination and the most common thinking had the objective as the Portuguese islands of The Azores. How that would have turned out we would never know.

On December 3 war broke out between Turkey (Hafsid Empire, Algiers) and Hungary (Russia, Venice, Milan, Pskov).

Jan 1524

Treasury: 223d.

In January a galley was authorised in Naples.

Pope Clemens VII convinced the Genoese to share the fruits of their explorations with him in an exchange of maps and information, but I fear Rome came out on the short end of the crozier. All he learned was that the African coast from the Straits of Gibraltar and southwards were in the hands of Morocco. In frustration he sent cousin Claudia with the mustache to Portugal for a Royal Marriage.

On October 30 the Spanish-French War ended. France and Spain reached a peace agreement with France receiving Artois. Perhaps some stability would settle into the region, perhaps not. The only wars now were between the heathens and the Orthodox countries, with the exception of England, who appeared to be slipping further into the heretical 'Reformed Christianity'. Who could understand them anyway?

On December 10 Georgia declared war on Turkey (Hafsid Empire, Algiers). So finished the year...


A unified southern Italy after The War Between France and Spain: 1516 - 1524


December 8 1523

 

[Lord Durham]

Calm Amidst the Storm - Prelude: 1525 - 1529

Jan 1525

Treasury: 245d. Prussia converted to the new heretical religion. Would there be no end to the madness?
A Legal Counsel was promoted in Naples.

In early January Portugal (Hanseatic, Pommerania) declared war on Prussia (Teutonic Order). Brandenburg dishonoured the Portuguese alliance and England dishonoured the Prussian alliance. Had to hand it to Portugal. They declared war, all puffed up and self-righteous, then let their allies, virtual neighbours to Prussia take the heat.

In March the Pope renewed RMs with Bavaria and Savoy. England rejoined the Prussian alliance and Brandenburg rejoined the Portuguese alliance.

From May 1 - 15 Rebel Scum revolted in Naples but were mercilessly put down, but not as mercilessly as the barbaric Spaniards would have put them down. No sir.

For reasons beyond me the Pope found some humour in this news. On November 1 England managed to land an army in Venice and lay siege to the capital, while across the sea Turkey marched relentlessly toward the Venetian provinces along the Aegean coast. Maybe he was just giddy with the news that war was on the proverbial Papal doorstep.

Jan 1526

Treasury: 182d. The Hanseatic League turned to the heretical faith. The Pope was clearly frustrated since his attempts to stem this tide of 'Reformed Christianity' appeared to be failing miserably. "It must be a German thing..." he kept muttering. A Legal Counsel was promoted in Apulia.

In March another revolt was put down in Apulia. A fellow Brother stated, "At least it keeps the men out of trouble". Another chimed in, "Yeah, they could be standing around priming their... flashpans." Couldn't argue the logic in that.

In October the merchants imposed trade restrictions to all countries for at least the next 38 months. I did not profess to know much about commerce, and I was not sure of the importance of '38 months'. Perhaps I would be enlightened one day.

On December 25 Pskov and Russia made peace, returning to Status Quo.

Jan 1527

Treasury: 113d. Thuringen and The Palatinat turned heretic. The Pope was getting good at rolling his eyes and wringing his hands. Ever watch someone wring their hands? It's quite funny.

In June Georgia and Turkey signed a peace treaty with Georgia receiving Trabzon, while in July Hungary and Turkey reached an agreement with the Status Quo being restored.

Jan 1528

Treasury: 164d. A galley was commissioned in Naples.

Rebel Scum revolted in Apulia, again. They were defeated, again. 2000 infantry was recruited in Apulia to replace losses.

On June 13 Poland-Lithuania reached peace with Hungary. Poland-Lithuania received Carpathia.

Jan 1529

Treasury: 150d. Rome had finally placed a name on this heretical religion that began with Martin Luther. The name was Protestant, and it was apparently first used in the second imperial Diet of Speyer convened during the course of the year. I was told it derived from the term 'protestation' and over time came to be associated with these heretics. Ah well, a name to the enemy.

In June Poland-Lithuania and Russia reached a Status Quo peace, while in August improvements were made in the fields of trade and infrastructure. (IL-4, TL-4) The remainder of the year passed without incident...

 

[Lord Durham]

Calm Amidst the Storm - Opening Moves: The Fall of Rhodes: 1530 - 1534

Jan 1530

Treasury: 196d. First, let me introduce myself. I am Brother Gregory, one of God's most humble disciples and dear friend and confidant of my illustrious colleague, the author of this document to date. My friend was too ill to carry out these arduous duties, and so the deed fell to me. I am well aware of his duplicitous nature, for in the last few years I aided in the writing of these accounts. Being well versed in Papal politics I learned that what you wish to say and what they wish to hear were two different beasts altogether. So have no fear. I shall continue to write what I see. Firstly, as my protege was ailing, his account of events outside of the sphere of Papal lands tended to become sketchy. I hoped to rectify that and produce a better accounting of the events that surrounded us.

War continued with England besieging Venice with 12871 men. They must have been feeding well off the countryside, as they did not appear to be suffering much attrition. Another English army moved into Istria, pursing a broken Venetian force. A Russian army in Polotsk was forced to retreat from a large Teutonic army, but not after causing much damage to the province in way of looting and burning. As for the Portuguese (Hanseatic, Pommerania) coalition, they made very little effort prosecuting their war against Prussia and The Teutonic Order. I had reports concerning wars between the Spanish and a people called the Aztecs and another between the countries of Sibir and the Uzbeks. Except for the Spanish, those names were totally Greek to me.

It was reported the risk of revolt in Naples and Apulia had lessened. No doubt the peasants realized the Papacy was a far more benevolent master than the Spanish.

In March the Venetians failed in an attempt to relieve the siege of their capital, while the English force in Istria joined with the army in Venetia. However in April the English gave up their siege of Venice and marched into neighbouring Mantua where they swiftly defeated the token Venetian forces there and laid siege to that city instead. The Pope was somewhat concerned about the refugees pouring south into Emilia and ordered reinforcements to that province.

On May 19 the Teutonic Order and Russia reached a Status Quo peace settlement, effectively slamming the door on any English conquest in Venice. I found it quite hilarious the English would have a long journey home having gained nothing for their trouble except some trinkets and rampant cases of French disease.

In June this mysterious nation of Aztecs I had heard mentioned paid 250d to Spain to end the war, and in July Pskov become a vassal of Russia. No sooner had Spain ceased hostilities with one New World civilization, they declared war on another. A people called the Incas. Seriously dear reader, I do not make these names up.

Jan 1531

Treasury: 243d. The year began auspiciously. England turned to the Protestant faith and was expelled from the Teutonic (Prussia) Alliance. To make matters worse, the rocky land known as Wales revolted. My protege would have said it looked good on them, but I endeavor to be less critical. Nevertheless, it looked good on them. Thuringen formed an alliance with Saxony and Hessen.

By January 12 it was apparent Wales had no real desire to fight, and the revolt was over. Rome had apparently acquired a monopoly in Venice, though I imagined it would be short lived, as most past monopolies had been.

I was told that in March Portugal landed a small force in Prussia, which was promptly destroyed by a Prussian army numbering somewhere near 40000 men. Perhaps Portugal would stick to exploring.

In May a Prussian army defeated a Hanseatic force in East Prussia. My sources told me the Prussians had an army of about 40000 soldiers to the Hanseatic League's 9000. The following day Portugal signed a peace treaty and agreed to pay 168d in war reparations.

With the exception of war in the New World and another which I had heard rumours about in the far east, peace had fallen across Europe. Long live peace!

Peace was short lived however. On November 29 the heathen Turk (Hafsid Empire, Algiers) led by Suleyman I declared war on The Knights (Parma, Genoa). Tuscany refused to join Parma and Genoa on this decidedly suicidal war. The Pope gathered his advisers to discuss the situation as the act of war involving neighbours would bring the Infidel perilously close to Papal borders. After much discussion and a rousing speech about commitment, loyalty, a point by point comparison with charts between Satan and the Infidel, brotherly love and the need to take affirmative action, the Pope decided to sit back and be an observer.

Jan 1532

Treasury: 292d. A fleet under the great Genoese admiral Andrea Doria set sail from Genoa.

In late January a combined Hafsid/Algerian fleet defeated a Genoese squadron in Cape Bon off the coast of Tunisia, though losses were unknown. Similarly, the Knights defeated a Turkish naval force in The Dodocanese. By February the Genoese navy had defeated their Algerian counterpart in Cote-d'Azure off the coast of Florence, and word reached us that the Knights had landed in Anytola, defeating the local Turkish militia.

In March the allied Genoa/Parma navy crushed their Algerian counterpart in the Gulf of Cagliari. If anything, at least the heathens proved they were poor sailors. Unfortunately the Knight invasion force of 9000 in Anytola was completely annihilated by 46000 Turks.

May saw a Genoese army of 5000 land in Al-Djazair and lay siege to the city, while an Algerian army of 23000 marched towards them from Kabylia. May God help the Genoese, or at least the general who planned that campaign. Turkish ships were spotted off the coast of Apulia. As feared, the Genoese force in Al-Djazair was destroyed by the Algerians.

On June 25 Modena was invaded by the Hafsid Empire. Their paltry army of 5000 men defeated the Parmese army of 10000. What sacrilege! A massive flotilla of over 70 Turkish ships was spotted off the Papal coast moving north. The Hafsid army of invasion, weakened by the battle with Modena, boarded ship and took to sea.

In June the Pope invited Tuscany to join the Papal Alliance but they rudely declined. In a show of force he commissioned the following troops: Emilia (4000/0/0) Romagna (4000/0/0) and Rome (2000/0/0). The Knights defeated the Algerians in a small naval action in the Gulf of Sirte while Turkey defeated the Knights in the Bay of Alexandria.

On July 19 Genoa under Andrea Doria defeated the Turkish fleet of over 70 ships in the Bay of Naples. The Genoese performed this miracle with 14 galleys. It was a glorious victory for Christianity, forcing the Turkish fleet to retire. In August a combined Parmese/Genoese fleet defeated the Turks in the Ligurian Sea.

Early September Georgia was persuaded to join the Russian (Venice, Hungary, Pskov, Milan) Coalition while the Turks and The Knights swapped minor victories in The Dodocanese. After suffering a defeat at the hands of the Algerian navy along the Barbery Coast, the remaining Genoese ships sailed into the Western Mediterranean where they linked up with reinforcements and in turn defeated the pursuing Algerians.

Over the course of 3 weeks in November the Knights inflicted three naval defeats on the Turks in the Dodocanese and Aegean Seas, while in December Sibir signed a peace treaty with the Uzbeks, claiming the province of Turgai as settlement. We all just stared blankly at the messenger. A country called Oman, somewhere to the east off our maps, declared war on Turkey (Hafsid Empire, Algiers). I really must brush up on my geography.


Jan 1533

Treasury: 227d

The beginning of the year had the Genoese defeat the Algerians in Cape Bon and the Gulf of Cagliari in separate naval actions. Once again they invaded Tunisia with 5000 troops, inflicting a defeat on the 10000 Hafsids stationed there. The Knights defeated yet another Turkish fleet in The Dodocanese, and from March 11 - 30 the Genoa/Parma navies continued to win victories in the Mediterranean. At this rate Infidel naval strength would be set back years.

The month of June saw Rhodes invaded by 5000 Hafsid soldiers and engaged by 3000 Knight defenders. The Hafsid's were destroyed to a man. In July Algiers took the city of Oran in Orania from Morocco and continued into Morocco with 27000 men where they laid siege to Fez. In August the Turk flotilla of 70 ships managed a victory over the Genoese in the Ligurian Sea, though by all accounts the fleet had taken station there and did not advance any further.

In September this Incan Empire the Spanish diplomats had spoken about made peace, paying the Spanish 250d. The Parmese and Genoese navies defeated a smaller Hafsid fleet in the Gulf of Liguria, while a Moroccan army of 15000 defeated a smaller Algerian army in Atlas and marched on Morocco to lift the siege of Fez. On November 8 the Algerians defeated another Moroccan force in Orania. With Fez under siege by 33000 Turkish/Algerian troops it appeared Morocco would be out of the war before long.

Jan 1534

Treasury: 271d. On the eve of the new year came distressing news that Hannover had converted to the Protestant religion.

Sometime in early January the combined armies of Turkey, Algiers and Hafsid captured Fez in Morocco. The following day Morocco bought peace with Algiers, paying 99d and giving up ownership of Orani. Hannover joined the Hanseatic Alliance (Pommerania, Portugal, Brandenburg).

By March the Turkish/Hafsid forces had driven the Moroccans out of Morocco and down into Toubkal, where they managed to stand and defeat the lead elements of the pursuing Turkish army. After a couple of minor naval victories in The Dodocanese, the Turks landed an army of some 72000 men and laid siege to Rhodes. I feared that for all their gallantry the Knights would soon fall to the Infidel. The Pope put on a display of anguish over Papal inability to help his fellow Christians, but truth be told, this Pope did not have much spine.

May 29 was a sad day in Christendom. After a brutal siege and assault Rhodes had fallen to the Infidel. The heathen Suleyman immediately annexed the island and the venerable Knights were no more.

From June 28 - July 13 the Genoese fleet scored a series of victories in the Bay of Alexandria; while their siege of Tunis continued. The Pope commissioned a galley in Naples.

August saw Genoa victorious in The Ligurian Sea and the Bay of Alexandria, but defeated in the Gulf of Cagliari and Cape Bon. Furthermore, the Hafsids drove off the Genoese army that besieged Tunisia. Though they were evenly matched at 10000 men a side, the Genoese, exhausted from heat, dysentery and the long siege routed into uncharted territory. The Turks defeated the Moroccans in Toubkal and laid siege to Marrakech.

On September 27 Clemens VII died. While his rule marked one of peace and consolidation, his detractors pointed at the failure to aid his fellow Christian from the Infidel and the even graver danger of letting the Reformation gain the momentum that it had. I trust history would take some time to judge him properly in light of present day events, and ultimately would not be very kind.

His successor was an Italian noble and patron of the arts called Alessandro Farnese, known as a skilled diplomat who had worked behind the scenes with former Popes from Pius III to Clemens VII. On October 13, at the fine age of 67 he became Pope, taking the name Paulus III.

Elsewhere, October found Genoa continue with her string of naval successes, gaining victory in the Ionian Sea and the Ligurian Sea.

In November the Pope renewed the Papal Alliance with France, Savoy, Bavaria and Bohemia. An invitation extended to Baden was turned down. I had a few minutes with the Pope today and I asked him about our failure to come to the aid of our fellow Christians. He looked upon me like a father to child and said that it was God's will. We as a nation were just too weak to take on a power like Turkey. When I mentioned our allies like France and the others, he patiently explained they were too far away to be effective against the heathen, and our lands would bear the brunt of any invasion. I admit I had to see the logic in this. He finished his lecture with a cryptic 'Our day will come' and carried on with his business. As he walked away I cast my eyes to the heavens, reveling in the glory of God and muttered, "Yeah, right, and I'm a Nubian gladiator." Meanwhile I would have to content myself praying for the souls of the Parmese and the Genoese.

 

[Lord Durham]

Calm Amidst the Storm - The Russian Ingrediant: 1535 - 1539

Jan 1535

Treasury: 263d. A peasant revolt in Naples was put down with minimum loss of life. I suppose that even with the benevolence we had shown these people, there were those that wished for the days of Spanish rule. Misguided sheep. They would come around.

In February Genoa defeated a Turkish fleet in the Straits of Taranto. The war had become a series of small naval conflicts with seemingly no end in sight. March had the Rebel Scum revolting in Naples once again. This revolt was better led and the garrison was saved only by the timely arrival of 2000 infantry from Romagna. My Brothers saw conspiracies from Spain to Turkey behind these uprisings though there was no proof of course. The Pope requested that 3000 infantry be raised in Naples to offset losses.

On June 27 Morocco sued for peace, paying Turkey 32d in indemnities. In September the Genoese continued to inflict minor defeats over the Infidel, winning 2 engagements in The Ligurian Sea and one along the Barbery Coast. In November Spain declared war on this Aztec Empire yet again. I heard stories from Spanish diplomats who claimed these savages conducted human sacrifice. It made me shudder. Perhaps they should be exterminated after all.

In December Russia (Venice, Hungary, Pskov, Milan, Georgia) declared war on Kazan. Georgia declined to take part and stayed home. There would be little chance I would follow these events closely, as Kazan seemed like a fabled far away country to this author.

Jan 1536

Treasury: 277d. Again the year began auspiciously. Denmark, Kleves and Brandenburg all become Protestant. It was passing strange these countries and others would always choose the beginning of the year to proclaim their intentions. God worked mysteriously, or at least on a fixed timetable.

In February Georgia once again entered the Russian Coalition while in March Genoa won two small victories over the Turk in the Ligurian Sea. In a surprise development the Hafsid's managed to slip through the Genoese fleet and land a small army of 5000 in Genoa. This success was short lived however as they were caught and promptly spanked by a sizeable army of 42000 Genoese. Even more impressive, Parma had raised her land army to 73000. As insurance, the Pope entered a RM with Parma and sent a letter of encouragement to Tuscany (-1 to +6)

During May Spain annexed the Aztec Empire while Russia annexed Kazan.

On July 1 there was a scandal at court. As near as I could gather it involved some young men of the cloth, several Gypsies and a donkey. As God is my witness that is all I know. Honest. Suffice to say it would probably damage the Pope's diplomatic credibility. The following day, as if God had wished to divert attention from the Papacy, Poland-Lithuania (Persia) declared war on the Teutonic Order (Prussia).

By August I discovered I was much mistaken. Rome had become the centre of diplomatic activity instead of a pariah. Leaders from around the world came to visit. It is as if the incident had increased the Pope's popularity. (Sp.Event)

From August - September the Teutonic Order gained victory over Poland-Lithuania in Welikia and laid siege to Velikije Luki with 23000 men. Prussia defeated Poland-Lithuania in Danzig while losing a naval engagement in the Baltic Sea. The Order followed with another victory over Poland-Lithuania in Belarus. A Poland-Lithuanian force of 11000 laid siege to Konigsberg.

In October Prussia defeated a Polish-Lithuanian army in Posen and laid siege to the city with 43000 men, while the Order continued with their string of victories by defeating Poland-Lithuania again in both Belarus and Welikia. A Polish-Lithuanian relief force was crushed by the Prussians besieging Posen. I am sure Poland-Lithuania was beginning to regret their declaration of war.

In November the Russian Coalition (Venice, Hungary, Pskov, Milan) declared war on Denmark. Talk about opportunistic. Georgia once again dishonoured the agreement with Russia. On December 11 Velikije Luki fell to the Teutonic Order.

Jan 1537

Treasury: 280d. There was one outstanding quality that I admired in Pope Paulus III. It was his determination. He realized the Church was in need of change and he had begun the groundwork almost as soon as he took office. As expected there was much opposition, but time would tell if he would come out on top.

In early January Russia defeated a Danish force in Ingermanland, but passed up a siege opportunity. The Order laid siege to Tula with 28000 men.

On February 1 Oman and Algiers signed a White Peace. To be honest, I had forgotten about that war. There had been enough local excitement to track. On the 3rd Tula fell to the Order. It appeared to this humble scribe that Poland-Lithuania had attempted to buy too many goats with too few ducats.

In March the Pope sent another letter of friendship to Tuscany (+7 - +12) while Denmark requested entrance to the Hanseatic Alliance (Pommerania, Portugal, Brandenburg, Hanover). Somehow I doubt these countries would aid Denmark in the current war. A Russian/Pskov force of 23000 men besieged Kexholm in Karelia.

Karelia fell to Russia on April 11 and 18000 Knights of the Teutonic Order besieged Belarus. Konigsberg was reinforced to 53000 Polish-Lithuanians as they continued their investment of that city. To date it was their only operation to show any success.

On June 16 16000 Russians laid siege to Olofsborg in Savolaks while the Danish provinces of Bergslagen and Vastergotland fell to Rebel Scum. Things were looking rotten for Denmark

During the month of August Prussia captured Posen then burned and looted their way through Mazovia before entering Lithuania. A flotilla of 92 Turkish ships was sighted in the Bay of Naples while the Russians defeated a Danish army in Nyland and laid siege to Viborg.

In September the Turkish fleet destroyed their Genoese counterpart in the Ligurian Sea. An invasion appeared certain. Pskov captured Vasa in Osterbotten from the Danes and The Prussians besieged Vilnius in Lithuania.
On October 16 Olofsborg in Savolaks fell to the Russians while the Turkish fleet unexpectedly turned about for home. In November Viborg in Nyland fell to the Russian juggernaut and in December Russia/Pskov invaded and captured Tavastehus. It appeared Danish resistance had vanished.

Jan 1538

Treasury: 307d. As had become customary on the first day of each new year another country converted to the Protestant religion. Hessen left the Catholic fold, while her allies, Saxony and Kleves, became former allies. It was hard to understand about Kleves, as they had turned Protestant themselves not too long ago. A warm letter of philosophical dialogue was well received by Cosimo I of Tuscany, greatly improving relations (+12 - +29). I believe the Pope would soon speak to them about a possible marriage arrangement to improve relations further.

In the month of January Russia began the siege of Abo in Finland while the Genoese fleet suffered a defeat on The Barbery Coast to a Turkish/Hafsid contingent. Belarus fell to the Teutonic Order and Poland-Lithuania finally sued for peace. The price for this peace was high as the Teutonic Order received both Belarus and Welikia in settlement. The less said about Poland-Lithuania's disastrous war effort the better.

It was the first of February and I could not truly believe this. I had the messenger repeat it three times. Russia and Denmark had made peace, with Russia receiving the province of Samara and 81d in largesse. Only one territory? The Russian juggernaut must have been into the cheap vodka. They had the Danes by the... nose. I must put that down in the category of 'What were they thinking?'

In May England joined the Hanseatic Alliance (Pommerania, Portugal, Brandenburg, Hanover, Denmark) while in August another Turkish fleet of some 57 ships was sighted in the Bay of Naples. A small Genoese fleet was sunk intercepting them. This led to the September invasion of Parma by a Turkish army of 25000 men. They were engaged by the Parmese army of 73000 and after nine days of maneuvers and skirmishing, the Turkish force was thrown back into the sea with heavy losses.

In November Spain declared war on the Incan Empire. I am not sure if these Incans practiced human sacrifice like the Aztecs. Perhaps the entire New World practiced human sacrifice. I know people who I wouldn't mind practicing human... Lord forgive these wicked thoughts of your humble servant. I must cross myself. The Turks landed another 12000 men on the beaches of Parma but were defeated by 55000 soldiers of the Parmese army. It appeared to this humble scribe that the Turkish commanders had definite trouble co-ordinating attacks.

Jan 1539

Treasury: 335d. A new year and Holy of Holys, no country had switched to the Protestant faith. Did I say faith? I meant heresy! I must erase this entry... His Holiness continued to curry favour with Tuscany (+29 - +43), while the Turkish war against our Italian compatriots had gone into its 8th year.

On January 16 Russia (Venice, Hungary, Pskov, Milan) declared war on the Teutonic Order. Both Georgia and Prussia dishonoured their respective allies, and in February the Pope finally arranged a RM with Tuscany (+43 - +58)

In March Russia laid siege to Welikia with 19500 men and in June the Incan Empire settled with Spain, paying 250d and relinquishing control of Moqega, wherever the heck that was.

On September 27 Crimea (Astrakhan) declared war on Russia (Venice, Hungary, Pskov, Milan). Once again Georgia dishonoured the treaty. If anything, at least they were consistent. In November 11000 soldiers of the Teutonic army laid siege to Pskov.


February 9 1538

 

[Lord Durham]

Calm Amidst the Storm - The Madness Spreads: 1540 - 1549

Jan 1540

Treasury: 365d. The exchange of letters with Tuscany continued (+58 - + 69). In September of this year Pope Paulus III approved the charter for a new religious order founded by one Ignatius of Loyola. Little did His Holiness realize how large and how important this Jesuit order would become.

From March to April the Teutonic Order won victories over Pskov in Livonia and Pskov. The siege of Pskov continued. On June 11 Crimea won a naval action in the Cyclades against a Venetian fleet.

On July 1 the Teutonic Order brought Pskov to her knees, forcing a peace and collecting 158d in indemnities. During the month of August a most strange piece of luck aided the Order. Peasants in Welikia revolted and were brutally put down by the Russian occupation force. Immediately after that the Teutonic Order marched in and defeated the weakened Russian army, effectively raising the siege of Welikia.

The final week of September saw the Russians suffer two humiliating defeats at the hands of the Order in Tver despite outnumbering their opponent 6-1. An army of 12000 Teutons laid siege to Narva in Ingermanland. In October 32000 Crimean/Astrakhani soldiers besieged Tambow, while a Pskov army of 6000 men besieged the Crimean city of Ufa in Kujbyschew.

On December 7 Tambow fell to the Crimeans who celebrated by defeating a Venetian navy in the Sea of Marmora. A day later Pskov and Crimea reached an agreement returning to Status Quo.

Jan 1541

Treasury: 392d. The conversion lull was over as Pommerania switched to the Protestant religion and found themselves immediately expelled by the Hanseatic Alliance. This was strange since the Hanseatics were also Protestant. I got a headache trying to figure out a trend here.

On March 30 Narva in Ingermanland was captured by the Teutonic Order and in April Crimea/Astrakhan laid siege to both Lipetsk and Kazan.

By May the Russian army had regrouped and driven the Order out of Ingermanland, assaulting Narva and retaking the city in a matter of days. The Crimeans defeated a Russian army in Vorones on June 26. Not to be deterred the Russians once again laid siege to Velikije Luki in Welikia.

In August Pommerania was readmitted to the Hanseatic Alliance and Georgia was back with the Russian Coalition.

Jan 1542

Treasury: 444d. Saxony turned Protestant and Mary rose to the throne of Scotland. No, these events were not related.

In January the Teutonic Order raised the siege of Velikije Luki by routing the Russian army and by February Lipetsk had fallen to Astrakhan. In March Russia defeated a Crimean army in Vorones and in turn was defeated by the Order in Moscow.

On June 4 the Pope renewed their RM with Genoa. In September the governors reported exceptional harvests which they predicted would double taxes for the next 12 months. (Special Event)

On October 2 Russia liberated Lipetsk from the Astrakhanis.

Jan 1543

Treasury: 501d. The war between Parma, Genoa and the Infidels continued with minor naval skirmishes and haphazard assaults by the Turks, Algerians and Hafsids on Christian soil. The landings had so far amounted to nothing more than mere annoyance to the Christians. One wondered when this senseless conflict would end. The Pope traveled to Paris to renew a RM with France.

In March a White Peace was signed between Turkey, the Hafsid Empire and Oman after 3 years of inactivity, thus closing the door on a war that saw little action.

Pope Paulus III made diplomatic overtures in April to the Teutonic Order about an alliance but was rejected. Later that month the Infidel appeared to change strategies when 10300 soldiers of the Hafsid Empire invaded Corsica and besieged the city of Bastia. By the end of the month Astrakhan had taken Samara from the Russians.

In July Tver fell to the Teutonic Order while the Hafsid's mysteriously abandoned their siege of Bastia. By August the Order had moved out of Tver, allowing the Russians to reoccupy and besiege the city once more. On November 29 Lipetsk fell to the combined armies of Crimea/Astrakhan.

Jan 1544

Treasury: 564d. January marked a break in the Long War with the Infidel. Genoa and the Hafsid Empire made peace with Genoa paying 250d in war indemnities. The Pope renewed RMs with Poland-Lithuania, Austria and Bohemia. Relations with the Christians in Europe were very good, though I suspect the heathen was not too fond of the Pope and his rant about destroying the Infidel.

On April 3 Poland-Lithuania (Prussia, Persia) declared war on Pskov (Venice, Hungary, Russia). Georgia and Milan stayed home. As a result of the war with Poland-Lithuania, Russia settled with Astrakhan, giving possession of Samara as part of the peace settlement. Now she could concentrate on one enemy at a time.

After a relatively long period of domestic peace, the month of June found Pope Paulus III dealing with peasant revolts in Apulia, which he put down with minimal bloodshed. On the whole it appeared Naples and Apulia were closer to accepting the benevolent Papal rule. Good sheep.

In July Hungary defeated a Polish-Lithuanian army and besieged the city of Kassa in Carpathia. The Venetians scored two victories against Poland-Lithuania in Moldavia. On October 14 Russia captured Lipetsk from Crimea and on November 8 the Pope renewed the Papal alliance with France, Savoy, Bohemia and Bavaria.

Jan 1545

Treasury: 616d. The Teutonic Order switched to the Protestant heresy. Pope Paulus III renewed a RM with Hungary.

On January 12 Poland-Lithuania made peace with Venice, paying the Venetians 115d in damages. February 26 saw Lorraine become a vassal of Spain and on March 23 Tula fell to Russian/Pskov forces. Crimea gave Vorones to Russia in a peace treaty signed April 18 and on May 23 Poland-Lithuania made peace with Pskov, paying 64d in indemnities.

The month of June brought on another peasant revolt in Naples that was put down by the Papal army. Losses were high, and the Pope commissioned 3000 infantry as replacements. Bad sheep.

On September 9 Velikije Luki fell to the Russians.

December 13 marked the opening of the Council of Trent. Pope Paulus III had begun his mission to clarify church doctrine and enact reform where necessary. Many of the old guard was not pleased.

Jan 1546

Treasury: 633d. Bohemia converted to the Protestant heresy! What blasphemy! The Pope, in righteous anger, expelled them from the Papal alliance, though two months later he would invite them back. Papal expediency I believe was the way he explained it.

In June the Pope was informed that once again harvests were better than normal and he should expect yet another exceptional year. (Sp.Event)

On August 17 Russia captured Minsk in Belarus from the Teutonic Order while a day after the Venetians defeated a Teutonic invasion of Corfu.

Russia and the Teutonic Order ceased hostilities on September 4, though it was costly to the Order. They had to give up Belarus and Welikia to the Russian bear.

Jan 1547

Treasury: 694d. The Pope renewed RMs with Navarra and Venice, but Spain refused a marriage arrangement. I was not overly surprised, since Papal expansion had been at the expense of Spanish territory. However a fellow Brother poignantly summed it up as 'sour grapes'. The beginning of the year saw a grand undertaking. Pope Paulus III, with backing of the merchant guilds had secured a loan and together with money from the Papal treasury authorised construction of a Refinery in Naples.

Jan 1, 1548

Treasury: 64d. A relatively new player on the religion front, who had been causing trouble in Geneva since 1534, was Jean Calvin. His 'Calvinism' would cause the Pope further headaches. Scotland converted to Protestantism, while the Spanish holdings of Flandres, Zeeland, The Hague, Freisen and Holland became Reformed Catholics. A man almost needed a scorecard to keep track of all these religious happenings.

By the beginning of February Spain was having nothing but trouble with the new religion as Zeeland, The Hague and Freisen revolted against King Carlos I.

On June 1 Russia (Venice, Hungary) declared war on Denmark, with Georgia declining as usual. After the Russian/Danish war of 1536-1538 it would be interesting to see if Russia had developed a 'killer instinct'. If anything, she certainly had a penchant for war.

At the start of July England declared war on Scotland (Teutonic Order) while the old Hanseatic Alliance completely disintegrated. The Hanseatic League joined Denmark and Pommerania joined the Teutonic Order (Scotland). Portugal formed an alliance with two unknown (to this author) powers: Mysore and Hyderabad. Hanover joined Hessen (Saxony, Thuringen, Brandenburg) and England remained independent. By the end of July the English had taken Lothian from the Scots and laid siege to Edinburgh.

On September 2 the Spanish controlled city of Groningen in Freisen fell to Rebel Scum. Russia defeated a Danish army in Karelia and besieged Kexholm, while the Danish began a siege of Narva in Ingermanland.

On October 24 the Scots beat an English army in The Marches and laid siege to Newcastle.

The month of November saw Narva fall to Denmark and the Rebel Scum defeat a Spanish army in Zeeland. Revolt in the Spanish possessions spread to Holland.

Jan 1549

Treasury: 119d. The Palatinat and England switched from Protestantism to Reformed Protestantism. The Refinery was completed in Naples. There was much joy among the merchant class, let alone the nobility and the middle-class. Rome would soon become a major player in the wine industry. 'Papal's Own. We serve no wine before its time.'

In January Edinburgh fell to England and by March pressure from the English armies had forced Scotland to raise their siege of Newcastle in the Marches and retreat to Strathclyde. On May 27 Scotland was forced to turn over Strathclyde to gain peace with the English. Spain annexed the Incan Empire.

In June the Pope renewed a RM with Portugal while trouble for the Spaniard continued as Flandres fell to Rebel Scum. On August 3 the Russians captured Narva in Ingermanland while the Danish besieged Kargopol in Onega.

Not surprisingly the Netherlands declared independence from Spain on September 1 and promptly went to war against their former masters. Lorraine sided with Spain, but Cologne, Navarra and The Palatinat declined to get involved. The Pope was forced to suspend the Council of Trent on Sept. 17 due to 'outside forces'. Nevertheless, much progress was achieved with the reform of the Church's teachings and discipline. Unfortunately, 'outside forces' proved to be of far more importance.

 

[Lord Durham]

The Second War Between France and Spain: 1549 - 1553

War! On October 23 France (Savoy, Bavaria) declared war on Spain (Lorraine). Bohemia begged off due to internal problems, but Pope Paulus III declared for her old ally. The Pope ordered his armies mobilised and commissioned 5000 infantry in Naples and 1000 cavalry in Romagna. Spies informed the Pope that Sicily was undefended except for city garrisons so the island was targeted as their first destination. With the Pope's blessing 16496 infantry under Col.Fossano marched on Messina. The fleet of 11 warships under Cmd.Picolomini sailed from Apulia to the Straits of Messina, their role strictly as support with maybe the odd shot to be taken on Spanish stragglers. It was clear the Papal navy could never match the might of Spain. Col. Alberti took command of the army in Naples and marched down to Apulia with the intention of following Fossano into Messina. Denmark and Russia made peace, with the Danes receiving Kola. So much for Russian 'killer instinct'.

On November 10 Paulus III died from a fever. He was 82 years old. It was grave news on the eve of this noble war, and the accolades for this great man were overwhelming. Many wondered who could continue his legacy. As it happened, his successor was not chosen until the following year.

By December Col.Fossano had arrived in Messina and laid siege to the capital while the fleet had taken position in the Straits of Messina. Col. Alberti reached Apulia and continued to push his men into Sicily.
Lorraine defeated France in Lorraine and Portugal declared war on the Netherlands, though her foreign allies (Mysore, Hyderabad) declined to join. Lord, it really would be nice to have some decent maps.

Jan 1550

Treasury: 175d. Lord Admiral Colonna was appointed commander of the fleet. 10 guns were commissioned in Naples.

In January the acting Cardinals, frustrated with the lack of progress shown with the siege in Messina, ordered Col.Fossano and Col. Alberti to proceed into Sicily to lay siege to Palermo. The walls of that city were not nearly as formidable, so by February 5 the investment of Palermo had begun. The last of the rebel leaders were reportedly captured in a tavern plotting their next uprising, effectively eradicating any vestiges of rebellion in Naples and Apulia. That was very good news as it meant no further resources were required to watch over those provinces. Good sheep. Lorraine defeated the French in Helvetia and Navarra joined the Spanish (Lorraine, Cologne) Alliance.

On February 7 Giovanni Maria Ciocchi Del Monte, a native of Rome and a co-president of the Council of Trent, was named to replace Paulus III. He took the name Pope Julius III.

On March 8 the newly consecrated Pope renewed RMs with Savoy and Bavaria while on the 18th Russia/Ryazan captured Ufa in Kujbyschew. In April the Palatinat joined the Spanish Alliance and in celebration Spain defeated a Netherlands force in Hainut.

On April 15 a Papal army of 14000 men boarded ship for an invasion of Sardinia. The siege of Palermo continued while Spain defeated a French army in Languedoc.

Saxony and Brandenburg formed an alliance on May 14 while The Netherlands joined the Russian (Venice, Hungary, Georgia, Ryazan) Coalition on the 15th. The Netherlands defeated a Spanish army in Hainut and by the end of the month the Papal fleet had reached the Gulf of Cagliari.

On June 12 the Papal army landed in Sardinia and laid siege to Cagliari. The fleet was ordered to return to Naples for provisioning.

In July Spain defeated a French army in Provence while two days later France captured Besancon in Franche-Comte and Metz in Lorraine. Papal engineers expected Palermo to fall within 3 months.

On September 19 France captured Strasbourg in Alsace while Spain routed the French in Franche-Comte and besieged the city. 10 artillery pieces reinforced the Papal army on Sardinia

Lorraine and Savoy reached a peace agreement November 8 with Lorraine paying 250d in indemnities.

On December 2 a French/Savoy/Netherlands force took Luxembourg from Spain.

Jan 1551

Treasury: 122d. 5000 infantry were commissioned in Naples.

January saw Lorraine take Strasbourg in Alsace from France while losing an engagement to France in Lorraine. Spain recaptured Besancon from the French in Franche-Comte and on the 25th Palermo fell to Papal forces. The army was ordered to Messina.

On February 6 Lorraine defeated the French in Helvetia and laid siege to Zurich and on March 5 Netherlands/Savoy were victorious over the Spanish in Hainut. The Papal army laid siege to Messina and 5000 troops boarded ship to reinforce Sardinia.

In April Netherlands/Savoy defeated another Spanish army in Hainut and laid siege to Brussels.
Portugal/Spain defeated the Netherlands in Flandres.

On May 14 reinforcements arrived in Sardinia while the Papal engineers estimated the city would fall within six months. The fleet returned to Naples for reinforcements. On June 27 France forced Lorraine into a peace settlement taking 250d in war damages and on August 6 Netherlands/Savoy captured Brussels in Hainut from the Spanish. 5000 infantry were commissioned in Naples, while the fleet sailed to intercept a small group of Spanish ships spotted in the area of Sicily.

On September 1 the Papal army crushed a Spanish invasion force of 4000 infantry in Sicily while the fleet (11/0/2) engaged the Spanish (2/0/1) off the coast of Sicily, defeating them and sinking one warship. Papal engineers estimated the city of Messina would fall within six months.

Astrakhan accepted peace with Russia on October 4, paying 10d in indemnities. On the 23rd Poland-Lithuania (Prussia, Persia) declared war on Russia (Venice, Hungary, Ryazan, Netherlands). Georgia, as history had shown repeatedly, decided to stay home and watch.

On November 26 Russia/Ryazan defeated the Polish-Lithuanians and besieged Tula.

Jan 1552

Treasury: 141d. 5000 infantry were commissioned in Naples. There was not enough money in the treasury when an outstanding loan came due forcing the Pope to extend terms for another 5 years.

In February 10000 Papal soldiers were dispatched to Malta and on the 25th the combined armies of Poland-Lithuania and Prussia seized Moldavia from Hungary.

On March 6 Russia/Ryazan forces captured Tula and on the 12th Cagliari fell to the Papal army. Sardinia was under Papal control. Several days later Papal forces invested the island of Malta and the siege had begun. The fleet was dispatched to Sardinia to gather the army.

By May 1 (7000/0/9) soldiers from the Sardinia campaign reinforced Messina and an assault was launched which breached the walls after fierce fighting. On the 11th Messina fell and Sicily was controlled by the Papacy. The Army of the Holy Cross boarded ship for Malta.

The next few months saw a flurry of diplomatic activity as the various combatants decided they had had enough. On the 15th of June Parma and Turkey negotiated a peace returning to Status Quo. On July 8 Spain settled with the Netherlands, giving up possession of Hainaut and 250d in reparations and August 28 Spain made peace with Savoy paying 128d to the Savoyards.

The island of Malta was a rocky hellhole that ate troops like cheesies, but by August 30 the island had fallen to the determined Papal army. Upon receiving the news Pope Julius III immediately summoned Spain?s senior diplomat to talk terms.

On September 24 Spain signed a treaty with the Pope, effectively ceding control of Sicily and Messina to Papal rule. The war as far as the Pope was concerned, was over. The Papal armies were relocated to both Sicily and Messina to supervise the transfer of power and watch for any rebel activity.

In October Russia defeated a Polish-Lithuanian army in Smolensk and laid siege to the capital, while in November Hessen and Thuringen formed an alliance with Baden joining afterwards.

Jan 1553

Treasury: 156d The Hessian alliance was short lived when they officially became Reformed and were ostracised by Baden and Thuringen.

From January 12 - 25 Poland-Lithuania lost battles to Russia and Ryazan in Lithuania and Belgorod respectively.

On February 11 France and Spain settled their differences with France receiving Franche-Comte from the Spanish. Once again the Spanish walked away with a bloody nose. The Pope fully understood the great fortune that played a part in their gains, knowing that Spain had been preoccupied with France, otherwise Papal fortunes could have been decidedly different. He led the masses in a solemn prayer of thanks. The party afterwards was pretty good too.


Papal gains after the war

January 4 1553

 

[Lord Durham]

Consolidation - "Let the vultures feast on others": 1553 - 1557

Jan 1553 - continued

On March 9 the Portuguese defeated Dutch armies in Flandres and Holland, commencing a siege on Amsterdam. A Dutch relief force entering Holland was defeated on the 29th by the besieging Portuguese army.

On April 26 the Netherlands pushed back a Portuguese force in Flandres while on the 30th Smolensk fell to Russia. June 8 saw the Netherlands defeat yet another Portuguese army in Hainaut. By the 27th the Polish-Lithuanian province of Moldavia had fallen to Venice and Hungary. In a diplomatic twist, the Pope cemented a RM with Spain, proving there was little difference between love and war.

Prussia and Poland-Lithuania took Carpathia from Russia on September 12 and on the 19th Morocco declared war on Algiers (Turkey, Hafsid Empire, Nubia). Nubia decided they would rather stay home.

October 29 Hessen and Kleves formed an alliance. A military treaty between Reformed Catholics and Protestants, hmmm? It would seem religious differences could be cast aside in times of military expediencey. On November 3 a Polish-Lithuanian/Prussian army defeated a force from Ryazan in Moldavia and laid siege to the city of Galatz. Moldavia was liberated on the 23rd.

Jan 1554

Treasury: 240d. A new center of trade opened in Holland taking away a large chunk of business from Flandres. The Pope promoted Bailiffs in Sicily and Messina as part of the first stage in consolidating the Papacy's latest holdings.

On January 1 a Turkish/Algerian invasion force defeated the Genoese army and laid siege to Genoa with 22000 men while on the 3rd Portugal and the Netherlands signed a peace treaty returning to Status Quo. On the 4th Algeria beat the Moroccans in Atlas. January 23 Prussia defeated a Russian army and laid siege to Minsk in Belarus, while Russia defeated a Prussian army in Posen.

On the 4th of February Russia beat Poland-Lithuania in Mozyr and on the 10th Genoa threw back an attempted landing by Turkey on the island of Corsica. On the 10th Algerian/Hafsid forces defeated the Moroccans in Morocco and besieged Fez while on the 11th the combined hosts of Algeria/Hafsid annihilated another Moroccan army.

Russia began the month of March by splitting victories with Poland-Lithuania, winning in Mozyr and losing in Kursk.

On the 25th of April Russia won a battle over Polish-Lithuanian forces in Pripet, while Genoa defeated another attempt by the Algerians to take Corsica. In a not entirely surprising move the Turks raised the siege of Genoa after battering the walls for several months to no avail. They boarded ships much to the delight of the war exhausted Genoese. The Pope begrudgingly gave the Genoese their due for suffering through such a long siege.

In May the armies of Hungary/Russia/Venice wrested Carpathia from Poland-Lithuania.

On the 5th of June the Turks that left Genoa made an attempt on Corsica but were soundly thrashed by the now battle-hardened Genoese. Very few Turks made it back to the fleet.

On July 8 a combined army of Polish-Lithuanian/Prussians defeated a Russian army in Lithuania. On the 10th some observers spied the Turkish fleet leaving the vicinity of Corsica and heading south towards Turkey.

A peace accord was reached August 6 between Russia and Poland-Lithuania. Russia received 49d and possession of Tula for her trouble.

In early October the Moroccans and Turks exchanged victories with Morocco winning in Toubkal and Turkey victorious in Sahara. Poland-Lithuania (Prussia, Persia), obviously flush from the success of her defeat at the hands of Russia, declared war on the Teutonic Order (Scotland, Pommerania) Oct 27.

The first actions of the war saw Prussia defeat the Order in East Prussia on the 12th and again on the 20th of December.

Jan 1555

Treasury: 176d.

On January 16 Prussia/Poland-Lithuania crushed a Pommeranian army in East Prussia while on the 22nd Poland-Lithuania beat another Pommeranian army in Eastern Pommerania.

The Teutonic Order defeated the Prussians in East Prussia on March 6, commencing a siege of Konigsberg. On the 7th Spain annexed Lorraine and Morocco decisively defeated a Turkish army in Toubkal. As great as that victory was, the city of Fez in Morocco was close to collapse and the Moroccans were in danger of losing the war.

On March 12 Poland-Lithuania manhandled another Pommeranian army in East Pommerania and laid siege to Stettin.

March 25th marked the death of Julius III, architect of the latest Papal additions of Sicily and Messina, builder of the Church of St. Andrew and patron of the arts. His replacement was Gian Pietro Carafa, a mean-natured, spiteful man. This author prayed that no harm would come to the Papacy because of his potential for meddling in political as well as spiritual matters. On the appointed day he was recognised as Pope Paulus IV.

On April 2 the combined host of Turkey, Algiers and the Hafsid Empire captured Morocco. The Hafsid's forced a peace on the beleaguered nation, who had to pay 43d in war damages. The conflict with Turkey and Algeria continued.

May 22 saw a renewal of hostilities between Turkey/Algeria and Genoa as another invasion of Corsica by the Algerians failed followed by defeat of the Algerian fleet in the Ligurian Sea by a Genoese squadron. Many wondered how long this war would go on.

On June 8 Turkey defeated a Moroccan army in Toubkal. On the 28th East Pommerania fell to the Polish-Lithuanians.

On September 26 Pommerania defeated a Polish-Lithuanian army in Kurland and sued for peace a day later. Terms were set at 250d payable to Poland-Lithuania. The war continued with Poland-Lithuania (Prussia, Persia) against the Teutonic Order and Scotland.

Turkey and Algiers defeated the Moroccans in Toubkal on the 7th of October. On the 8th Morocco negotiated a peace with Turkey, paying 37d, leaving Algiers as her only enemy.

Rebel Scum revolted in Messina giving the Papal army of occupation a running battle from November 1 - 10 before collapsing. The army suffered some 3000 casualties so Pope Paulus IV authorised the raising of 3000 infantry in Messina as replacements. Worse still, he let loose the hounds of the Roman Inquisition, which had lain dormant for several years. That move would surely make people sit up and take notice. On the 11th Genoa defeated a Turkish force in Corsica and a naval detachment in the Ligurian Sea.

On December 5 Algiers defeated a Moroccan army in Toubkal and laid siege to Marrakech with 16000 men.

Jan 1556

Treasury: 218d. Pope Paulus IV advised council he would bank all funds until a loan due the following year was discharged, then he would begin a round of infrastructure improvements in Sicily and Messina. That was met with approval, though no one dared to broach the subject of the Roman Inquisition.

Poland-Lithuania captured Kurland from the Teutonic Order January 16.

On March 7 Dorpat in Livonia was besieged by Poland-Lithuania. After a fierce assault on the 16th Livonia fell to the invader. The day after that victory, the Teutonic Order and Poland-Lithuania signed a peace accord, with the Order paying 193d and ceding Kurland.

On April 17, in a exceedingly strange twist of events, Georgia became a vassal of Venice. The Pope and his council scratched their heads over that one.

Peasants revolted again in Messina from June 1 - 10 before it was put down with minimal losses. Paulus ordered another group of inquisitors into the province. He was determined to root out the evil, no matter what the cost in goodwill.

The Algerians inexplicably lifted the siege of Marrakech and marched into Sahara where the Moroccans defeated their army on July 13.

A Brother came running in to our chapel on August 18 screaming "Ayutthaya has gone to war with China! Ayutthaya has gone to war with China!" We stared at him blankly, nodded in a placating manner and went back to prayers.

On September 30 Milan joined the Russian (Venice, Hungary, Georgia, Netherlands, Ryazan) Coalition. A formidable force had come into creation. Wurtemburg allied with Thuringen and Baden.

On October 2 Ferdinand I of Austria was elected Holy Roman Emperor. The Pope, who had a running feud not only with Spain, but the Habsburgs, refused to acknowledge the coronation, claiming it did not have Papal approval. This man would get Rome into trouble yet.

Jan 1557

Treasury: 301d.

February 1 the Pope discharged a loan credit to the moneylenders (200d). On the 3rd Algiers seized Morocco from the Moroccans.

On March 3 Spain declared war on Algiers (Turkey, Hafsid). Interestingly enough she had not bothered to invite her allies along. Algiers was quick to respond by settling with Morocco, demanding the Moroccans pay 140d in reparations.

Wasting no time, a Spanish invasion force of 48000 men landed in Orania on July 17 making short work of the local militia and besieging Oran. For those in the Papal trivia department, China and Ayutthaya made peace with the Chinese receiving 28d.

On October 13 the Hafsid navy defeated a small Spanish fleet, allowing 5000 Hafsid soldiers to land on Malta and lay siege to the city. All this author could say to them was: "Good Luck".

 

[Lord Durham]

The Third War Between France and Spain: 1558 - 1561

Jan 1558

Treasury: 187d.

On January 8 France (Papal States, Savoy, Bavaria, Bohemia) declared war on Spain (Cologne, Navarra, The Palatinat), obviously taking advantage of Spain's preoccupation with Turkey, Algiers and the Hafsids. Pope Paulus IV could not contain his glee. This was the perfect chance to exact some flesh from the Spaniards he hated so much. Truth to tell, no one of the Brothers had any idea why this Pope had such animosity against these people, and with the Inquisition back in full swing, none of us really had any desire to ask. After perhaps a moments deliberation, Pope Paulus IV announced his intention to aid France. The Papacy had gone to war against the Spanish once again. His advisor's mentioned that Bohemia had declined to join the war effort and the Palatinat had done the same for Spain. On the 9th Papal forces were mobilised and a campaign strategy was proposed. The initial target would be that old standby: Sardinia.

It was decided to leave one standing army of 15000 men in Messina to answer any potential uprisings in either province of Sicily. The Pope's next step was to bring Bohemia back into the alliance, then secure a loan for 200d. Finally he authorised 5000 infantry in Rome and 5000 infantry in Romagna to be raised in addition to 10 guns in Naples.

January 20 saw Spain defeat an Algerian army attempting to relieve Orania while a French invasion of Alsace was defeated by the Spanish army stationed there.

March 11 Savoy defeated the Spanish in Alsace and laid siege to Strasburg with 19000 men. On the 21st Cologne beat a French army in Lorraine but declined to lay siege.

On April 3 Savoy laid another beating on Spanish forces that attempted to raise the siege in Alsace. The Spanish were more successful in Africa and by the 6th managed to take Orania and lay siege to Atlas.

On May 15 France defeated Cologne in Artois while 61000 soldiers from Spain/Navarra laid siege to Zurich in Helvetia.

On June 27 while unloading troops on the island of Sardinia a Spanish force of 5 galleys attacked the Papal fleet (9/0/2) in the Gulf of Cagliari. Fighting a brave holding action as the troops were successfully offloaded, Lord Admiral Colonna was forced to retreat to the Bay of Naples, having successfully sunk one Spanish warship while losing one himself. Colonna's holding action had allowed the Papal troops to begin the siege of Cagliari on Sardinia. The Pope ordered the construction of a warship in Naples and another in Sicily.

On July 26 the Savoyards defeated an army from Lorraine in Lyonnais but in September Spain defeated a French army in the same province. The Papal navy was forced to divert from the Sea of Cagliari due to a heavy Spanish naval presence and decided to tack north. The siege of Cagliari continued while Alsace fell to the Savoyards.

From September 19 to October 11 the fleet under Colonna engaged a Spanish squadron of 10 warships over a series of running battles, sinking 3 of the enemy with no losses and causing the survivors to retreat west. On October 6 Sardinia fell to the Papal army under Col.Buzzoni. Having loaded his men on board, the fleet sailed north. On October 19 Spain captured Atlas. The Pope was alarmed at the speed that Spain moved through Africa and feared the war with the heathen would end too soon, allowing Spain to turn her full attention north and east. Especially east.

On November 8 Spain defeated France in Bourgogne and on the 30th the combined armies of France and Savoy defeated a Spanish army in Alsace.

On December 15 Spain defeated a heathen army in Orania but lost to a Savoyard army in Franche-Comte. On December 17 the Legion of Holy Wrath under Col.Arentino debarked in Nice while the fleet sailed to Sardinia.

Jan 1559

Treasury: 136d. The year began with Genoa under siege by Turkish forces. 1000 cavalry were commissioned in Rome and 1 transport was contracted in Apulia.

On January 23 Cologne defeated Savoy in Luxembourg.

Continuing their push across North Africa Spain defeated an Algerian army in Al-Djazair February 4.

On April 1 the Papal shipwrights unveiled plans for the latest addition to the Papal fleet: Galleons. (NT-5) On the 24th reinforcements from the Army of the Holy Cross arrived in Nice bringing the Papal army to 15000 infantry and 44 guns. Command was turned over to Col.Buzzoni. The fleet returned to Naples. On the 25th Spain recaptured Alsace from Savoy.

The Army of the Holy Cross marched west toward Provence in early June while on the 12th Spain defeated a French army in Franche-Comte.

July 3rd saw Spain suffer her first defeat in Africa to the Hafsids, losing in Oran and allowing Orania to fall under siege. The Army of the Holy Cross reached Provence and continued to Languedoc.

On August 9 the Papal army reached Languedoc and decided to rest until Papal reinforcements arrived. On August 14 Spain and Navarra captured Helvetia and on August 26 Savoy took Luxembourg from Spain.

A French/Savoyard army defeated Cologne in Champagne on September 13 . On the 24th the Army of the Holy Cross entered Roussillon and beat a Navarrese army of 4000 infantry while suffering 3000 casualties. Col.Buzzoni ordered the siege of Perpignan. A Spanish relief force to Malta was thrown back into the sea by the Hafsids on the 16th allowing the siege there to continue. On September 28 Spain defeated Savoy in Franche-Comte.

On October 1 France defeated Spain in Cologne while on the 7th Spain defeated the Savoyards in Franche-Comte yet again. On the 26th Navarra and Spain were victorious for a third time in Franche-Comte, this time crushing the French presence altogether.

November 1 Cologne beat France in Cologne and on the 11th the Papal army crushed a Navarrese relief force in Roussillons.

December 5 had Cologne defeat the Savoyards in Luxembourg and on the 11th Navarra beat France in Gascogne. On the 13th Roussillon fell to Papal forces and as a further setback to Spain the combined heathen armies of Algiers, Turkey and the Hafsids recaptured Orania. The Pope offered to settle with Spain, asking for Sardinia. It was rejected. This singular incident caused the Pope to go into a frenzy of madness. It was the last function of office that Pope Paulus IV would perform.

On December 26 he died, never quite recovering from his near chance to stick a knife into his hated enemy. His successor was elected shortly after. Giovanni Angelo de' Medici, a native of Milan, became Pope Pius IV before years end.

Jan 1560

Treasury: 148d. When not conducting the war, Pope Pius IV immediately set about correcting all the damage his predecessor had caused, especially in regard to the Roman Inquisition. His actions brought great relief to the people of Italy and her possessions. His grand announcement though was the revival of the Council of Trent, which had been suspended since 1552.

January 2 saw the Spanish fail once again to relieve Malta. On the 8th Cologne defeated Savoy in Hivernais who in turn defeated Navarra in Helvetia on the 18th. On the 23rd Infidel armies defeated Spain in Orania again. It appeared the tide was turning on Spain in Africa. The first act by Pius IV was to arrange a peace treaty with Spain. Though the Papacy held Sardinia and Roussillon, the new Pope felt they were not strong enough to prosecute the war any further, and with Spanish/Navarrese troops converging from all directions it was determined peace would be the best solution. On January 26 Spain settled with the Papal States paying 250d in war indemnities to the Pope. Pius IV would have preferred Sardinia, but it was the best deal available. The troops were called home.

February 6 had the combined army of Spain/Navarra beat the French in Guyanne and on the 14th Navarra defeated France in Borugogne. On the 23rd the Hanseatic League allied itself with Denmark.

April 23 the Infidel Union captured Atlas from Spain, effectively ending Spanish attempts at overseas conquest. The next few days Spain arranged a Status Quo peace with Turkey and paid the Hafsid Empire 111d for an end to hostilities.

On May 11 France defeated Spain in Lyonnais while on the 29th the forces of Spain/Cologne/Navarra took Franche-Comte from the French.

On July 22 Brandenburg entered an alliance with Poland-Lithuania, Persia and Prussia and on August 29 Tuscany entered an alliance with Parma and Genoa.

Algiers and Spain agreed to peace September 26 with Algiers paying 87d in reparations.

October 17 saw France and Savoy retake Helvetia from Navarra while on November 2 the Pope promoted Legal Counsels in Sicily and Messina as a further move towards improvements in both infrastructure and appeasement of the populace.

On December 22 France and Savoy defeated Spain in Cote d'Azure.

Jan 1561

Treasury: 221d.

On February 1 Spain and France penned a treaty returning both countries to Status Quo. On the 15th Rebel Scum rose in revolt in Lorraine and took control of the province from Spain. Pope Pius IV sent a letter of introduction to the King of Tuscany improving relations slightly (+69 - + 73).

On March 28 Spain defeated the Rebel Scum in Lorraine and laid siege to Metz, while on April 1 the Pope renewed a RM with Parma. The marriage was a great affair, attended by many heads of state, nobility and clergy. Unfortunately insults were delivered and threats received. It was not until the gathering had ended and everyone was safely back in their home countries that all hell broke loose.

 

[Lord Durham]

The Great Eastern European War: 1561 - 1566

It began on May 3rd with a declaration of war between Russia (Venice, Hungary, Ryazan, Netherlands, Georgia, Milan) and Astrakhan (Crimea). Surprisingly Georgia joined this time while Milan begged off. The Pope sent a letter of introduction to Milan, though its reception was somewhat frosty. (-4 - -1) On the 20th Milan was allowed entry back into the Russian Coalition.

On June 10 Ryazan defeated Crimea in Kazan and on the 28th beat them again in Kujbyschew.
July 8 saw Georgia beat Crimea in Kouban and on the 14th Ryazan defeated Crimea in Kujbyschew for a second time. On July 27 Spain took Lorraine back from the Rebel Scum while on the 30th Crimea defeated Russia in Vorones.

Trouble spread on September 1 when Poland-Lithuania (Persia, Prussia, Brandenburg) declared war on a preoccupied Russia (Venice, Hungary, Ryazan, Netherlands, Georgia, Milan). Hungary and Milan decided to stay home and as punishment for their failure to honour a treaty were invited back into the alliance on the 5th.

Astrakhan/Crimea defeated a Russian army in Ryazan on the 23rd of October and laid siege to the city with 26000 men. On November 2 Kujbyschew fell to Russia and on the 6th Persia defeated Georgia in Trabzon, besieging the capital city of Trapzon. Also on the 6th Persia laid another beating on Georgia in Georgia. Trabzon fell to the Persians on the 17th and the investiture of Tiflis in Georgia began soon after. At he end of the month Russia beat a Crimean army in Bogutjar and laid siege to the capital.

Early December saw Georgia capture Kouban from the Crimeans while Persia defeated a Georgian relief force in Georgia. On the 7th Astrakhan/Crimea defeated a Ryazan army in Ryazan and continued with the siege while on December 16 Russia took Bogutjar from the Crimeans.

Jan 1562

Treasury: 250d.

On January 3 Prussia captured Belarus from Russia and on the 6th the Crimeans laid siege to Ufa in Kujbyschew. Venice, a long way from home, defeated a Polish-Lithuanian army in Pripet and on the 7th Persia captured Georgia. Rebel Scum rose against Hainut which the Netherlanders put down with ruthless determination. On the 24th Russia thumped a Polish-Lithuanian army in Mozyr.

On the 6th of February Austria entered an alliance with Poland-Lithuania (Persia, Prussia, Brandenburg). That made for two rather large alliances in Eastern Europe. On the 9th Poland-Lithuania defeated the Venetians in Lithuania and on the 18th Welikia passed from Russian hands to Poland-Lithuania.

On March 11 Persia defeated a Georgian army in Sochi and laid siege to the capital with 200000 men. On the 13th Poland-Lithuania/Prussia defeated a Russian army in Belarus. The Ryazan army beat Poland-Lithuania in Tula on the 15th and on the 17th Sochi fell to the Persian juggernaut.

On April 17 the combined forces of Poland-Lithuania/Prussia defeated a Venetian army in Smolensk and on the 25th the Polish-Lithuanians laid siege to Veronezh in Vorones. On April 26 Russia/Ryazan spanked the Polish-Lithuanians in Tula and with the addition of Venice defeated the Polish-Lithuanians in Tula again on May 26.

June 2 saw Georgia capitulate to Persia, giving up possession of Trabzon and paying 172d in war indemnities. Brandenburg/Polish-Lithuanian forces captured Vorones from the Russians on the 27th.

On July 19 Crimea took Kujbyschew from Russia. This author was not keeping tally, but that particular province appeared to change hands more often that a priest?s collection plate.

The peasants in Lorraine rebelled against Spanish rule on the 1st of August and laid siege to Metz. On the 26th the Crimeans defeated a Georgian army in Kouban and laid siege to Stavropol.

It took until September 7 for the Spaniards to crush the Rebel Scum in Lorraine. As was the way with the Spaniards, heads were hung from the battlements. Barbarians! On the 22nd the Genoese defeated yet another Turkish attempt to take Corsica. It appeared to this writer that that particular war had lasted at least a generation, if not longer. One thing about the Turks, they were a bull-headed lot.

On December 24 the joint army of Poland-Lithuania and Brandenburg captured the Russian province of Tula and on the following wintry day Poland-Lithuania forced Russia to the peace table taking possession of Welikia and Tula from the Bear. It was a bitter blow to the Russians. The end of the year saw the Papacy gain a monopoly in Venice.

Jan 1563

Treasury: 323d. A new Center of Trade was established in Anglia. The Pope studied the situation quickly but decided the cost of establishing a presence was too high. Internal expansion would remain the desired path for now.

On January 19 Georgia defeated a Crimean army in Azow, and on the 26th Crimea/Astrakhan captured Ryazan.

February 1 the sum of 200d was repaid to the moneylenders. On the 7th Baden accepted an invitation to join the Spanish (Cologne, Navarra) Alliance and on the 21st Crimea won a battle against Georgia in Lugansk.

March 8 saw Russia defeat a Crimean army in Kujbyschew and lay siege to that poor city once again. The Brothers talked of starting a Papal pool (unofficial of course) regarding that particular war torn property.

Early April had Crimea defeating another Georgian army, this time in Kalmuk, and on the 15th the combined forces of Crimea/Astrakhan captured Kouban from the hapless Georgians. On the 17th Kujbyschew fell to the Russians. The end of April saw Oman enter an alliance with the Hedjaz (Aden, Nubia)

Astrakhan and Ryazan agreed to a mutual peace May 25 with no monies paid or territories exchanged.

No surprise that Kujbyschew was besieged again by the Crimeans June 11. On the 17th Wurtemburg entered an alliance with Thuringen followed by Saxony on the 23rd. On the 30th Astrakhan laid siege to Russian held Kazan.

July 10 Kujbyschew fell to the Crimeans, while a Russian relief force crushed the Crimeans and raised the siege of Kazan on the 20th.

On August 6 the Crimeans defeated a Russian army in Bogutjar and laid siege to the city. On the 8th and again on September 12 the Russians soundly thrashed the Astrakhan army in Kazan. In a bold and surprising move Georgia recaptured Kouban on September 21.

On October 16 the Russians laid siege to Ufa in Kujbyschew, or at least, what was left of the city of Ufa.

Hessen joined the Thuringen (Wurtemburg, Saxony) Alliance November 5 and on the 8th Kujbyschew fell to the Russians. The liberation of Kouban was short lived when on the 15th the Crimeans beat the Georgians and laid siege to Stavropol again.

On December 17 the Palatinat became a member of the Thuringen (Wurtemburg, Saxony, Hessen) Alliance, creating a solidified Germanic alliance of countries.

Jan 1564

Treasury: 196d. The Pope ordered the walls of Sicily to be strengthened.

On February 15 the Pope renewed a RM with Tuscany (+73 - +88)

The Crimean possession of Volgograd fell to the Russians on March 12.

May 1 the Pope and his entourage was shown a demonstration of the pistol. He was suitably impressed, but reiterated that now was a time for peaceful development. "Let the madmen in Eastern Europe destroy themselves", was his quote. (LT-6) On May 7 the allied army of Crimea/Astrakhan recaptured Kouban from the Georgians.

On June 1 Astrakhan pushed the Russian army from Volgograd and laid siege to Saraiberke.

Maximillian II of Austria was elected Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire July 27. The Pope sent his congratulations, as the days of personally crowning the new emporer were long past.

September 11 saw the fall of the Crimean province of Donetsk to the Russian.

This was an historic time as November 1 saw the years of work begun by Pope Paulus III in 1545 come to fruition as the Council of Trent closed to a resounding success of Church reforms.

On December 14 Crimea and Russia signed a peace treaty with the Crimeans paying 11d and ceding possession of Kujbyschew.

Jan 1565

Treasury: 136d. Austria and Spain switched religion to Counter-Reformed Catholicism while Scotland became Reformed, causing her to leave an alliance with Pommerania and the Teutonic Order.

On January 9 Astrakhan laid siege to the new Russian possession of Kujbyschew, proving that new owners don't neccessarily mean better protection. A Russian relief force broke the siege on February 10 and carried the war into neighbouring Samara, laying siege to the capital on March 12.

In June an amphibious invasion of Georgia by Poland-Lithuania was successful, allowing the capital of Tiflis to come under siege. On the 15th Samara fell to the Russians who continued their march to Uralsk.

On July 1 a White peace was declared between Russia (Netherlands, Ryazan, Venice) and the Persians. On July 12 the Russian juggernaut began the siege of Uralsk. The armies of Astrakhan had become a non-factor and the end of the war was assumed to be near. Uralsk fell to the Russians in a determined assault August 5 and after a short rest proceeded towards Astrakhan itself. On August 28 Russia began the siege of Astrakhan.

September 26 Morocco found itself at war with Algiers (Turkey, Hafsid) again.

Scotland joined an alliance with Tuscany, Genoa and Parma on October 18, though this author could not see much 'mutual support' coming from that alliance. On October 26 Astrakhan fell to the Russians, forcing a peace. Astrakhan agreed to pay 66d and cede Samara to the Russian Bear. The only players left in the Great European War was Poland-Lithuania (Prussia, Brandenburg) against Georgia.

Jan 1566

Treasury: 207d. On the 8th of January Pope Pius IV died. His contribution to the Papal cause could not be taken lightly. From the completion of the Council of Trent to the severe curtailment of the Roman Inquisition, Pius also had time to complete several important works. Chief among these was drafting the Index of Forbidden Books and reforming the catechism, though that would be completed after his death. His successor was a former shepherd, but more lately the Grand Inquistor, Antonio Ghislieri. Upon election he took on the name of Pope Pius V. His reign would be quite a step backwards to the time of the Borgias. The Roman Inquisition resurfaced with a vengence, as changes to policy made even rank ineffective as a means to avoid scrutiny. To make matters worse, these demons openly targeted intellectuals and students, wrongly believing that most thniking people gravitated towards the protestant faith. It was a dark time as my Brothers and I carefully watched our backs.

On February 9 Morocco paid 196d to Algiers as a condition of peace. Probably as a result of being picked on continually by her neighbours Morocco entered an alliance with Portugal and Mysore, though this author had no idea what a 'Mysore' was.

A peasant revolt May 1 in Messina was put down by the 21st of the month with few losses to Papal troops. In early June another revolt in Sicily forced the Papal army to march to relieve Palermo which had come under siege. The Papal army, somewhat lax due to peacetime activities, was ambushed July 8th by Rebel Scum and forced to retire to Messina after suffering heavy losses. Reinforcements from the mainland were called for.

On August 4 Turkey successfully invaded Corsica and laid siege to the island. The Papal army in Messina, reinforced from the mainland and on a war readiness, moved to Sicily. On the 5th Poland-Lithuania captured Georgia and marched to Sochi.

October 14 was a grand day for the Georgians when they defeated a Polish-Lithuanian army in Sochi. It was even a better day for the Pope when the Rebel Scum in Sicily was extinguished.

On November 9 the Long War between Turkey and Genoa ended with Genoa losing possession of Corsica to the Infidel and on the 13th Poland-Lithuania ended her war with Georgia, taking possession of Georgia as the price of peace. The Great Eastern European War had ended.

 

[Lord Durham]

The Wars of No Gain, Lots of Pain: 1567 - 1572

Jan 1567

Treasury: 269d. Genoa became a Counter-Reformed Catholic nation.

On January 8 Turkey annexed the Hafsid Empire, bringing the Turks perilously close to Sicily.

The month of February saw Wallachia enter an alliance with Turkey (Algiers). Suicide if you ask this humble author. In May Pommerania joined the Polish-Lithuanian (Persia, Prussia, Brandenburg, Austria) Alliance and in June the Pope renewed a RM with Genoa.

Pope Pius V slapped himself on the forehead. "What are they thinking? he cried. News arrived that Bohemia had declared war on Poland-Lithuania (Persia, Austria, Pommerania, Prussia, Brandenburg) Of little help was the fact Prussia and Brandenburg refused to participate. France, Bavaria and Savoy had already committed to the war and as the generals saw it, the only passageway for those countries would be through Austria. The Pope was worried that Persia could single out Italy if the Infidel nation decided not to commit her armies through Poland-Lithuania. The Pope slapped his forehead again. "Do we commit and take a chance Persia leaves us alone or do we decline?" It took a full day of argument before Pope Pius V decided to honour the treaty. On October 9 the Papacy declared war.

The Pope placed the country on a war footing, securing a loan of 200d and commissioning 13000 infantry in Rome and (7000/0/10) men in Naples.

November 1, Prussia and England formed an alliance.

On December 8 Austria defeated a Bavarian army in Tyrol while suffering a defeat at the hands of the Bohemians in Ostmarch, who proceeded to lay siege to Krems. On the 9th spies reported a Polish-Lithuanian fleet of 14 ships in the Sea of Marmora. On the 15th the Papacy renewed a RM with France.

Jan 1568

Treasury: 188d. The Polish-Lithuanian fleet had progressed to the Aegean Sea. The Pope, convinced Italy was the target of this expedition, put all campaign plans on hold. The fleet was ordered to Apulia and 3000 infantry each were commissioned in Apulia and Romagna.

On January 10 Milan became a vassal of Venice. On the 21st Austria beat a Bohemian army in Tyrol and on January 28 Poland-Lithuania defeated another Bohemian army in Moravia. A second army laid siege to Breslau in Silesia. The only good news was the sudden reversal of the Polish-Lithuanian fleet that had attritioned to 9 ships. They appeared to be heading home.

February 2 French/Savoyard armies defeated the Austrians in Tyrol and laid siege to the city with 130000 men.

On March 13 the allied armies of France/Savoy/Bavaria/Bohemia defeated a Polish-Lithuanian army that had entered Tyrol with the intention of lifting the siege.

April, 1568

On April 12 the combined army of Poland-Lithuania/Pommerania captured Silesia from the Bohemians while on the 15th the Papal expeditionary army of (6758/100/52) landed in Nice. The fleet was dispatched to Naples. Bohemia defeated a Polish-Lithuanian army in Salzburg on the 28th.

On May 7 a Polish-Lithuanian army defeated a Bohemian army in Erz.

A Pommeranian relief force sent to Tyrol was annihilated June 12 by the Allied host, allowing the siege to continue while the capitals of Sudetan and Ansbach were besieged by The Polish-Lithuanian Coalition. On the 28th the siege of Pilsen in Sudatan was lifted and the Coalition army marched to Ansbach.

On July 10 Papal reinforcements arrived in Nice and under command of Col.Verese the army of (21460/100/52) marched to Tyrol. The fleet was dispatched to Apulia as word of a small Polish-Lithuanian squadron of 3 ships was spotted approaching the Italian coast.

On August 10 Innsbruck in Tyrol fell to the Allies.

Austria defeated Bohemian troops October 4 in Tyrol and laid siege to Innsbruck. Col.Verese and his men reached Helvetia but found themselves too weak to launch an offensive against Tyrol. They decided to wait for further reinforcements. On the 8th the Teutonic order joined the Poland-Lithuania (Persia, Brandenburg, Austria, Pommerania) Coalition. On the 9th Lord Admiral Colonna defeated a Polish-Lithuanian squadron in the Gulf of Venice sinking 2 warships.

Ansbach fell to 50000 Polish-Lithuanian/Pommeranians November 16 while 57000 Allies besieged Krems in Ostmarch.

On December 1 Lord Admiral Colonna hunted and sank the remaining enemy warship in the Adriatic Sea. On the 13th the Polish-Lithuanians defeated a Bohemian army in Bavaria and on the 27th beat a Bavarian army in Ansbach with the help of a Pommeranian contingent.

Jan 1569

Treasury: 186d. Increasingly the Pope had come to regret the war. The Papal troops were stuck in Helvetia watching helplessly as an army of 25000 men under Franz Josef II of Austria besieged Innsbruck in Tyrol. They waited desperately for reinforcements to break the siege. Word spread that 20000 Savoyards had been raised and the hope was that maybe they would be the help required. The Pope authorised 5000 infantry each in Rome and Naples.

February 3 the combined armies of France/Savoy/Bavaria/Bohemia captured Ostmarch. The Savoyard had remained in Savoy, bitterly disappointing Col.Verese, but in a possible stroke of good fortune the Austrian army in Tyrol mysteriously lifted the siege of Innsbruck and marched north. Col.Verese roused the men and began the long march into Tyrol.

April 22 France defeated the Polish-Lithuanians in Presberg and laid siege to the capital while on the 24th the Austrians beat a Savoyard army in Ostmarch.

May 7 10000 Papal reinforcements landed in Nice and proceeded to Helvetia. The fleet was dispatched to Apulia. On the 10th the Papal Army arrived in Tyrol and immediately set out for Salzburg.

On June 4 the armies of Poland-Lithuania/Pommerania defeated the Bohemians in Silesia and on the 16th the Papal army defeated a small Austrian force in Salzburg, initiating a siege on Linz.

Moravia fell to the Coalition August 5. Things were not looking good. France was funneling some reinforcements through Tyrol but compared to the Coalition armies it did not seem enough.

Reinforcements arrived on September 1. It was decided to lift the siege of Salzburg and march on Austria. On September 8 a rider arrived at camp claiming Bohemia had sued for peace. The terms gave possession of Silesia and Moravia to Poland-Lithuania. Col.Verese, in helpless anger, ordered his men back to Nice. The war had been a disaster.

On November 7 the Pope arranged RMs with Austria and Poland-Lithuania as a gesture of peace. Furious with the loss of needless men and a depleted treasury Pope Pius V vowed the Papacy would never again support senseless wars as long as he lived.

Jan 1570

Treasury: 154d. The RM with Hungary was renewed.

On March 12 Russia (Venice, Hungary, Ryazan, Netherlands, Milan, Georgia) declared war on Crimea (Astrakhan) Knowing better from the last time Georgia decided to stay home.

May 1. The remnants of the Papal army arrived in Naples. Only 2700 men and 52 guns returned from a force of over 25000 troops. It is said the Pope wept. No doubt it was for lost resources as opposed to the souls lost. Rebel Scum revolted in Turkish held Corsica and laid siege to Bastia.

On June 13 Ryazan captured Volgograd from the Crimeans.

On October 3 Crimea took Vorones from Russia and on the 7th Russia took Bogutjar from Crimea.

On November 11 Russia beat a Crimean army in Vorones and laid siege to the capital, capturing it on the 21st after a fierce assault. Meanwhile Crimea had begun a siege of Bogutjar.

Ryazan captured Kouban from the Crimeans December 3.

Jan 1571

Treasury: 255d.

On February 22 Crimea recaptured Kouban from Ryazan and Navarra entered an alliance with Portugal (Mysore, Morocco). On the 24th Spain and Baden formed a military agreement.

In April rebel Scum rose up in Alsace, beat the local Spanish infantry and laid siege to Strasburg. On the 20th Russian/Ryazan forces captured Crimean held Donetsk.

On May 16 the revolt in Alsace met an inglorious end as Spain exacted a brutal toll on the peasants.

Ryazan held Volgograd fell to the Crimeans July 30, but August 14 saw Crimea fall to the combined Russian/Ryazan army.

August 24 France (Savoy, Bavaria, Bohemia, Papal States) once again declared war on Spain (Baden). The Pope, though reluctant to involve the country in a new war, felt the Papacy should help against its old enemy and agreed to the honour the alliance. The country was set on a wear footing and 5000 infantry was commissioned in Naples and Rome.

Crimea and Russia made peace September 21, with Crimea paying 21d and ceding Bogutjar as the price of the peace.

October 6 France defeated the army of Baden and laid siege to Bastatt with 15000 men. On the 18th Savoy/France crushed a Spanish army in Helvetia.

France defeated a Spanish army in Lorraine on the 16th and 25th of November. On the 30th a Papal army of (6200/0/52) landed on Sardinia and laid siege to Cagliari. The fleet returned to Naples for reinforcements.

On December 6 England (Prussia), ending a long period of isolation, declared war on Spain (Baden). On the 9th Baden fell to French/Savoyard forces. On the 10th France annexed Baden.

Jan 1572

Treasury: 186d The Pope commissioned a transport in Naples. The Pope renewed a RM with Navarra but Venice refused a royal marriage. Relations between the two countries had fallen gradually over the years. The Pope decided to let things be for the moment.

February 3 France/Savoy defeated Spain in Alsace and laid siege to Strasburg. On the 12th Papal reinforcements arrived in Sardinia.

Things for Spain got worse. On March 6 Netherlands (Russia, Venice, Hungary, Ryazan, Georgia, Milan) declared war on the beleaguered country. Only Ryazan failed to join in. Lord Admiral Colonna defeated a squadron of Spanish ships in the Bay of Naples sinking one warship.

April 26 Alsace fell to a French/Savoyard army.

On May 3 Pius V died and it was hoped his strict merciless ways and the Roman Inquisition would die with him. On the 5th Netherlands defeated the Spanish in Luxembourg and began a siege of the capital while on the 24th France beat the Spanish in Lorraine and laid siege to Metz. On May 14 Ugo Boncompagni, a native of Bologna was elected Pope and took the name Gregorius XIII. Among his first acts was to promote church reform and encourage the Counter-Reformation by enacting the decrees set out by the Council of Trent. Strangely he did not promote the movement in Italy.

On June 5 Sardinia fell to the Papal forces. On the 11th and the 13th Spain was crushed in two separate battles with the Netherlands. The Papal conquest of Sardinia was short lived as France and Spain reached an agreement on the 27th with Alsace going to France. Sardinia was returned to Spanish rule and the Papal armies were sent home. The Pope began to wonder if God had deserted his people.

The Netherlands captured Spanish held Luxembourg on August 8 and Lorraine on September 22. Meanwhile the English and Spanish navies squared off over several confrontations for the balance of the year with Spain gaining a slight advantage in victories.

 

[Lord Durham]

The Infidel Wars: 1573 - 1578

Jan 1573

Treasury: 241d.

January 3 the Hedjaz joined the Turkish (Algiers, Wallachia) Union. On the 6th a combined army of English and Venetians laid siege to Perpignan in Roussillons.

Roussillon fell to the English/Venetian army on the 19th of February and then immediately marched toward Gerona.

Turkey (Algiers, Wallachia, The Hedjaz) declared war on Hungary (Russia, Venice, Netherlands, Georgia, Milan) on March 3. Milan and the Hedjaz declined to involve themselves. On that same day Turkey accepted Oman into their Union and on the 8th the English and Venetian armies defeated Spain in Gerona and laid siege to the capital city of that province.

On May 9 Hungary defeated an army from Wallachia in the province of Moldavia and proceeded towards Wallachia. On the 26th the armies of Turkey and Hungary clashed in Wallachia with Turkey coming out the victor.

June 11 saw these armies meet again in Wallachia with the Hungarians put to flight yet again by Turkeys superior numbers.

July 28 saw Hungary defeat a Turkish army in Croatia while losing to Turkey in Moldavia August 3. The Turkish army settled into a siege of Galatz, the capital of Moldavia. August 15 Saxony formed an alliance with Hannover and the Hanseatic League while the Palatinat sided with Kleves and Cologne.

Moldavia fell to the armies of Turkey and Wallachia on September 8 then marched into Wallachia defeating the Hungarian army October 16. On November 11 Turkey beat a Venetian army in Croatia and laid siege to Zagreb.

Jan 1574

Treasury: 320d.

Venice won a battle over Turkey in Kosovo January 16 allowing her to besiege Nish.

On the 15th of February Hessen joined the Palatinat (Kleves, Cologne) alliance.

March 8 Venice defeated a Turkish relief force in Kosovo but losses forced her to lift the siege of Nish. The army moved north to Serbia and was subsequently annihilated by Turkish/Wallachian troops in April.

On May 3 Portugal and Navarra formed a military alliance and on the 9th Croatia fell to the Turkish Union armies of Turkey, Wallachia and Algiers.

The Pope arranged another RM with Portugal on June 8 and on July 5 Turkey successfully captured Illyria from the Venetians.

On September 13 Turkey captured Pest from Hungary, then marched south around the border of Austria and into Istria where they laid siege to the Venetian owned province of Triest on November 14.

Jan 1575

Treasury: 395d.

On January 1 Spain captured Anglia forcing the English to withdraw from the war, paying the Spaniard 9d in war indemnities. On January 23 Istria fell to the Turks and on the 25th Hungarian held Banat fell to Wallachia/Algiers. The Infidel was wrecking havoc across Eastern Europe.

On February 1 Rebel Scum renewed a siege on Turkish controlled Corsica. In Spain a screaming mass of 46000 Spanish descended on Roussillon surprising the Venetian army and crushing the meager resistance. They settled down to besiege Perpignon.

On March 11 the Pope renewed a RM with Savoy, the Papacy's steadfast allies over the years.

It was a sad day for the Papacy. On April 15 Lord Admiral Colonna died; a man ever to be remembered for defending the shores against Spanish and Polish-Lithuanian invaders. The Pope declared a week of mourning followed by public festivities. Secretly he hoped someone of equal capabilities would come along. On the 22nd the Pope renewed a RM with Bavaria.

Ragusa fell to a determined Turkish assault on the 19th of May. With the additional losses of Illyria and Istria Venice appeared to be in grave danger, though it appeared her island possessions would prevent total conquest and annexation. On the 23rd a Hungarian army of 23000 wrested Pest away from Turkish occupation.

On June 21 Spain triumphantly marched into Roussillon, having liberated the city from Venetian control.

A peace treaty was signed July 10 on neutral territory between Spain and the Netherlands. The terms of agreement demanded the ceding of Luxembourg to Dutch rule. Another Spanish province in the north had been lost. On the 19th a Turkish army invaded Venice and laid siege to the capital city.

August 3, in a ceremony presided over by the Pope himself, Venice formally concluded her war with Turkey, painfully giving up possession of Illyria and Istria. The Infidel was near the Papal doorstep.

Jan 1576

Treasury: 472d.

There was little action to report until March 30 when Hungarian forces liberated Moldavia from Turkish control. On April 14 21000 Turkish/Algerian troops besieged Eger in Magyar while 15000 Turks invested Hermannstadt in Maros.

On June 13 Magyar fell to the heathen and on the 14th Hungary made peace with Algiers, paying the Infidel 250d in reparations and ceding control of Pest.

A Hungarian army defeated the Turks in Banat on July 11 and on August 22 captured Wallachia. On September 11 Hungary and Wallachia returned to a Status Quo peace. This left Turkey at war against Russia, Hungary, Netherlands and Georgia.

Rudolph II of Austria was elected Holy Roman Emperor on October 14. On the 18th and the 23rd Turkey defeated Hungarian armies in Moldavia and Ruthenia respectively.

On November 2 Scotland formally joined the Papal Alliance (France, Savoy, Bavaria, Bohemia)

Jan 1577

Treasury: 548d.

On January 8 Genoa entered a military alliance with Spain, which the Pope found very interesting. On February 26 Tuscany and Parma renewed their military friendship.

Turkey annexed Georgia on July 26 and by September 3 Oman and Aden had joined the burgeoning Turkish Union (Algiers, Wallachia, The Hedjaz). On November 4 the Pope repaid an outstanding loan to the moneylenders, discharging all obligations on behalf of the Papacy.

Jan 1578

Treasury: 423d.

In a feat of absolute daring, or absolute suicide, a Turkish force of 10000 men landed in Holland January 8 and defeated the local militia. On the 9th Hungary liberated Croatia from Turkish occupation, then successfully beat off Turkish attempts to invade the province on the 13th and the 24th.

At the beginning of March Milan cancelled her vassiliation status with Venice, probably sensing Venice was no longer strong enough to provide adequate protection. By the end of March the last of the Turkish invasion force had been hunted down in Holland and exterminated. It was said their heads looked very good hanging off the city battlements.

The Pope renewed a RM with Spain on June 24 and finally, on August 4, Hungary and Turkey met at the table to sign a peace deal. The cost to the Hungarians was the province of Banat. The Turkish War was over with the Infidel making major gains in the Balkan/Black Sea area. Her new acquisitions included Illyria, Istria, Banat and the annexation of Georgia. There was peace again in the known world. How long would it last this time?

September 1st the peasants rose in revolt in Sicily. Damn peasants. The Pope ordered Col.Torecelli and 16000 men to march from Messina and quell the uprising.

It was October 3 and the Pope was furious. "Rebel Scum! They are just Rebel Scum! They have the nerve to defeat my armies? Reinforcements! Send them now!" 10000 reinforcements were directed to Messina.

World peace was brief. On November 26 Russia (Venice, Hungary, Netherlands, Milan) declared war on Astrakhan (Crimea)

 

[Sgt. Bloomfield]

Wow!

Hey! Great AAR, Lord Durham. I love those popes. But I am having deja vu all over again. Why does this all seem so familiar?

 

[Misha]

Even without the roleplaying aspects, this is a great AAR. Lord Durham, your writing is always a pleasure to read.

 

[Warspite]

This is what im talkin about, great AAR lord durham, whether in the great interactive thread or this aar thread, its great reading. Nice work, i look forward to more.

 

[unmerged(718)]

Nice aar and great idea lord durham, i think i quit reading your papacy thread weeks ago because its too hard keeping up with so many posts on italy aar and others. I like how you put the aar seperate and easy to read, now maybe i can figure out what is going on and jump in roleplay some

 

[Sgt. Bloomfield]

Originally posted by mosquitodriver
Nice aar and great idea lord durham, i think i quit reading your papacy thread weeks ago because its too hard keeping up with so many posts on italy aar and others. I like how you put the aar seperate and easy to read, now maybe i can figure out what is going on and jump in roleplay some

Help the man out, LD, and put links to the various sections of RP into the light AAR: That way you can jump from the appropriate year to the Barkdreg's wedding, or in 1583 to the Croation campaign and the battles of Burevic and Carlovac.

 

[Lord Durham]

Bloomfield: 'Whatcha doin' here Willis?'
I like some of your ideas and I'm working on something, sir!

Misha, Warspite: You two again? Joined at the hip? Thanks for the comments. BTW, is it possible to change the Thread name?

mosquitodriver: I cannot tell a lie. It was warspites idea. So credit where credit is due. I'm glad you've taken the time to look it over. Frankly I've always been puzzled why some of you excellent writers over at warspite's house have never bothered to take up the challenge here. To me it's a natural extension to what you're already doing but on a more interactive level. Warspite and I are buddies, not enemies. (At least last time I checked that was the case...)