Does the current situation suits Henry or does he wish to have France completely converted to protestantism? And what about the rest of Europe? Should we expect from Henry that he tries to diminish the power of the Pope and its followers?
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I'd like to start responsetime with a shoutout to mandead!
@ Grubnessul
Spain might have been broken once, but they are still a deadly enemy when you count in their allies Portual and Austria.
@ Lord Strange
Yeah the forums were acting strange when I posted.
@Throne
Thanks a lot mate, it's been some evolution.
@Lord Valentine
I'm just happy to have him survive this long
@Enewald
So am I! Spain isn't but who cares ^^
@dem61s
Well Henri is striving to create a completely new Protestant (reformed) France. About the pope and Europe etc. that's going to get covered in the next update.
@ Grubnessul
Spain might have been broken once, but they are still a deadly enemy when you count in their allies Portual and Austria.
@ Lord Strange
Yeah the forums were acting strange when I posted.
@Throne
Thanks a lot mate, it's been some evolution.
@Lord Valentine
I'm just happy to have him survive this long
@Enewald
So am I! Spain isn't but who cares ^^
@dem61s
Well Henri is striving to create a completely new Protestant (reformed) France. About the pope and Europe etc. that's going to get covered in the next update.
Well, that's a pity.Milites said:
I think the strongest AARs on the Paradox forums are the ones that use the alt-history which results from the playing of a Paradox game as a stepping stone to develop a plausible continuation of the alt-timeline beyond the scope of the game.
I just find it very hard to believe that we still end up with that Austrian landscape painter after so many things have changed, so many people have died and so many others have lived. I guess that's one of the reasons why I like alt-history so much: You can get rid of the GröFaZ.
All that said, this is your AAR so I'll shut up now.
To be perfectly honest with you I haven't thought that far ahead in this AT to have all the events from 1589 to our day printed in block. Then again, changing all the history of the world wasn't really the idea of this AAR. It was to create a (somewhat) plausible version of how things could have unfolded if Henri had kept Protestantism. The wider effects of that choice I haven't thought of yet and it isn't high on my list of goals.
@ Milites
Fair enough.
Though I must say that in this case I would just refrain from any reference to events in the far future until I had time to work on that part of the TL.
And now, I'll stop yapping.
Fair enough.
Though I must say that in this case I would just refrain from any reference to events in the far future until I had time to work on that part of the TL.
And now, I'll stop yapping.
Chapter XI – The Grand Design
***
A New Course of Action?
***
Henri had brought stability and prosperity to the French kingdom through his actions as both general and statesman. He had brought France from the depths of depression, war and Catholicism into the Reformation’s light of prosperity and peace. His administration had healed the wounds of the once fractured society and given the French commoner a sovereign who deeply cared for the wellbeing of his country and its natives.
The reforms begun by Sully are starting to take effect.
***
Enter James I
***
James of England and Scotland, alongside Henri IV of France
Elizabeth of England died in 1603 leaving her throne to the king of Scotland, James. Elizabeth had been much beloved by both the English and the French Huguenots who received much aid from her coffins and arms. Yet trouble immediately arose over the succession. While England rejoiced at having a new king who would strengthen the English alliance with the Protestant continental powers, Scotland was much more sullen. Even though James had ruled Scotland wisely for a great many years, the nobles decided to get rid of him and the ensuring English superiority the coming union would bring. By mid 1603, James had been ousted from Scotland and brought his English minions to war in order to secure his throne [1].
James leads his English subjects into Scotland
In France, Henri expressed his genuine support for the new English and Scottish monarch. James was like himself a staunch believer in the benefits of absolutism, so Henri went ahead and prepared the French navy to freight several thousand regiments to England that were to be placed under English command. The French Huguenots made the journey from Normandy to York without any troubles and continued on to the camp of James outside Edinburgh. The new king greeted the French warmly, but told them that the conflict had already ended in most favourable terms for the majesty. Scotland was now a vassal subject of England and peace had been restored. Happy to have saved the lives of his soldiers, but gloomy over the costs of the expedition, Henri sent his congratulations to James. The Two of them would meet again soon alongside the other members of the grand alliance.
***
Le Grand Dessein
***
In 1605 delegates from all the members of the Protestant alliance assembled in Paris.
The atmosphere was light and pleasant, especially Henri contributed to good mood as he was delighted at the news that the provinces of Bourgogne and Metz had converted to the Gallic Church. The Catholics were by now living in smaller and smaller enclaves separated by larger and larger amounts of Protestant land. King James of England-Scotland came with several gifts and humorous words. The two kings had immediately taken a liking to each other and the bond between France and England was even stronger than it was between England and the Dutch. Delegates from Flanders and Sicily arrived with smiles and laughs as well. Maurice of Nasasu represented the Dutch Provinces at the meeting. Besides the great lords, the prince of Alsace was present and so were delegates from the German and Scandinavian princes.
They were all gathered to discuss the course of action the Protestants were to take in the following years. Crushing Spain had been a gigantic success, but the kings and princes of the Protestant faith did not wish to lay easy on their laurels.
Henri receives his allies
What King Henri had in mind was an almost utopian plan. It was scheme of such dimensions that lesser men would find it impossible. Henri had talked it over with Sully many times and he had decided to reveal his plan at the meeting about to take place. Hitting Spain hard over the head was one thing, but breaking the Habsburg iron grip over the Protestants of Germany and all of Europe demanded something more. Henri proposed a new Europe. He offered the allies the chance to redraw the map of the old world completely. All in all the plan went on fighting a war against the Habsburgs as one and keep on fighting until they gave in to the demands of the protestants. The goal was the liberation of the Bohemian and Hungarian crowns and the destruction of the Habsburg dominated Empire. Out of the old order sixteen new states would take its shape and together rule Europe through a joint council. The Grand Design was thus the first attempt ever in the history of mankind to create a valid international governing body.
The new states of the Grand Design
The new states would consist of the following:
Besides the sixteen general states that all had a voice in the Conceil General [2] the German empire was to be dissolved and replaced by a new organisation named the Federation of the German Nation. This state would be a federal governing body of all the greater German states. These states, Bavaria, Baden, Saxony, Pomerania, Mecklenburg, Brandenburg and the Confederation of the Rhine would then take turns to rule as the Conceilpresident. All internal troubles and disputes were to be settled at first instance at the Federal German court. Failing a solution at the first court, the case could be brought before the General Council. The idea was grand and beautiful to the Protestant allies - a destruction of the Habsburg power and the possibility to avoid war between Protestant brothers in faith. Besides the ideal there were also significant territorial concessions to almost all of the Protestant nations. It seemed like the world was going to see a lot of warfare to see the ideals come true.
[1]I’m playing with historical rulers, so this seemed like the only way to explain James I of England going to war with himself in Scotland….
[2]General Council, a bit like the Security Council of the UN in OT
[3]Such a plan did exist and I’ve used the original countries as a base for this new organization.
***
A New Course of Action?
***
Henri had brought stability and prosperity to the French kingdom through his actions as both general and statesman. He had brought France from the depths of depression, war and Catholicism into the Reformation’s light of prosperity and peace. His administration had healed the wounds of the once fractured society and given the French commoner a sovereign who deeply cared for the wellbeing of his country and its natives.
The reforms begun by Sully are starting to take effect.
***
Enter James I
***
James of England and Scotland, alongside Henri IV of France
Elizabeth of England died in 1603 leaving her throne to the king of Scotland, James. Elizabeth had been much beloved by both the English and the French Huguenots who received much aid from her coffins and arms. Yet trouble immediately arose over the succession. While England rejoiced at having a new king who would strengthen the English alliance with the Protestant continental powers, Scotland was much more sullen. Even though James had ruled Scotland wisely for a great many years, the nobles decided to get rid of him and the ensuring English superiority the coming union would bring. By mid 1603, James had been ousted from Scotland and brought his English minions to war in order to secure his throne [1].
James leads his English subjects into Scotland
In France, Henri expressed his genuine support for the new English and Scottish monarch. James was like himself a staunch believer in the benefits of absolutism, so Henri went ahead and prepared the French navy to freight several thousand regiments to England that were to be placed under English command. The French Huguenots made the journey from Normandy to York without any troubles and continued on to the camp of James outside Edinburgh. The new king greeted the French warmly, but told them that the conflict had already ended in most favourable terms for the majesty. Scotland was now a vassal subject of England and peace had been restored. Happy to have saved the lives of his soldiers, but gloomy over the costs of the expedition, Henri sent his congratulations to James. The Two of them would meet again soon alongside the other members of the grand alliance.
***
Le Grand Dessein
***
In 1605 delegates from all the members of the Protestant alliance assembled in Paris.
The atmosphere was light and pleasant, especially Henri contributed to good mood as he was delighted at the news that the provinces of Bourgogne and Metz had converted to the Gallic Church. The Catholics were by now living in smaller and smaller enclaves separated by larger and larger amounts of Protestant land. King James of England-Scotland came with several gifts and humorous words. The two kings had immediately taken a liking to each other and the bond between France and England was even stronger than it was between England and the Dutch. Delegates from Flanders and Sicily arrived with smiles and laughs as well. Maurice of Nasasu represented the Dutch Provinces at the meeting. Besides the great lords, the prince of Alsace was present and so were delegates from the German and Scandinavian princes.
They were all gathered to discuss the course of action the Protestants were to take in the following years. Crushing Spain had been a gigantic success, but the kings and princes of the Protestant faith did not wish to lay easy on their laurels.
Henri receives his allies
What King Henri had in mind was an almost utopian plan. It was scheme of such dimensions that lesser men would find it impossible. Henri had talked it over with Sully many times and he had decided to reveal his plan at the meeting about to take place. Hitting Spain hard over the head was one thing, but breaking the Habsburg iron grip over the Protestants of Germany and all of Europe demanded something more. Henri proposed a new Europe. He offered the allies the chance to redraw the map of the old world completely. All in all the plan went on fighting a war against the Habsburgs as one and keep on fighting until they gave in to the demands of the protestants. The goal was the liberation of the Bohemian and Hungarian crowns and the destruction of the Habsburg dominated Empire. Out of the old order sixteen new states would take its shape and together rule Europe through a joint council. The Grand Design was thus the first attempt ever in the history of mankind to create a valid international governing body.
The new states of the Grand Design
The new states would consist of the following:
- Six hereditary monarchies: France, Spain, England, Portugal, Sweden and Denmark
- Six monarchies whose kings were to be elected: Rome, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Venice and Bohemia
- Four federal republics: The Dutch Republic, the Republic of Flanders, the Lombard Republic and the Sicilian Republic.[3]
Besides the sixteen general states that all had a voice in the Conceil General [2] the German empire was to be dissolved and replaced by a new organisation named the Federation of the German Nation. This state would be a federal governing body of all the greater German states. These states, Bavaria, Baden, Saxony, Pomerania, Mecklenburg, Brandenburg and the Confederation of the Rhine would then take turns to rule as the Conceilpresident. All internal troubles and disputes were to be settled at first instance at the Federal German court. Failing a solution at the first court, the case could be brought before the General Council. The idea was grand and beautiful to the Protestant allies - a destruction of the Habsburg power and the possibility to avoid war between Protestant brothers in faith. Besides the ideal there were also significant territorial concessions to almost all of the Protestant nations. It seemed like the world was going to see a lot of warfare to see the ideals come true.
[1]I’m playing with historical rulers, so this seemed like the only way to explain James I of England going to war with himself in Scotland….
[2]General Council, a bit like the Security Council of the UN in OT
[3]Such a plan did exist and I’ve used the original countries as a base for this new organization.
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I am pleased to see that King Henry has great plans for the future.
Still, I am a little bit worried. I wonder whether he is right to have such trust in the King of England. I do understand that he cannot discuss openly his plans on this matter. But I hope King Henry is only using his diplomatic skills to buy more time and is preparing the nation for the inevitable war against the English felons.
The quality of your update is amazing, as always.
Still, I am a little bit worried. I wonder whether he is right to have such trust in the King of England. I do understand that he cannot discuss openly his plans on this matter. But I hope King Henry is only using his diplomatic skills to buy more time and is preparing the nation for the inevitable war against the English felons.
The quality of your update is amazing, as always.
Yeah, but it's a goal none the less
England was quick to bail out of the war yes, but relations between the two powers are quite high (200). War with England is not something Henri is aiming at atm which would require a really valid casus belli. He'd rather use the protestant islanders to completely destroy the Spaniards and Habsburgs.
England was quick to bail out of the war yes, but relations between the two powers are quite high (200). War with England is not something Henri is aiming at atm which would require a really valid casus belli. He'd rather use the protestant islanders to completely destroy the Spaniards and Habsburgs.
Chapter XII - A Gathering of Clouds
***
Arming the Hosts
***
Henri inspects the Army of Flanders
Although the Grand Design was utopian it provided the Protestants with a long time goal. Spain only held one last outpost on the northern French frontier and that was the stain on Henri’s perfect world the French king hated the most. Luxembourg was weakly defended which encouraged an attack, but the Austrian lands were terrifying near. It was generally agreed on at the Conceil des Affaires that the main blow had to be directed towards Spain proper. Yet if the current French army, which was a great force at the time, had to invade Spain then it would become far too easy for the Austrian armies just to march straight into France. Therefore the army had to be enlarged. Twenty new regiments each consisting of 1,000 men, cavalry of various sorts or artillery were raised throughout central France. New weapons were forged, supplies were gathered and capital raised for the coming war. By the end of 1605, the armies of king Henri had been reorganized and deployed for service.
L’armée des Flandres (the Army of Flanders) under the King numbered 20,000 men divided into three corps, lay in camp near the border to Alsace and Luxembourg. It consisted of the following:
The cavalry of the Royal Army
***
France At Arms
***
The cost of raising 20 new regiments and improving the arms of the older was a horrible thing to Sully. The old soldier cared for the French treasury, as Henri himself put it, “like an old woman over her only son.” Never the less, Henri wrested the money from the treasury and went about his busyness of arming France. Although the new national regiments were less costly than maintaining mercenary companies, it still hurt the coffins of Sully to let go of so many young men, who otherwise would have been out in the fields farming. But one fact still comforted Sully. Even the armament of France had not broken the state yet. France’s economy had passed its first test.
French income early 1606
***
The Storm Breaks
***
By February 1606, France was granted to perfect excuses for prosecuting a new war, a war of aggression. After the peace of Antwerp, Spain had desperately tried to keep what little influence she could, and the one place left where Spain was still heard and respected in Western Europe was in Breda. The city of Breda, the very city that had solved the first Great War and ignited the second would now once again become centre of attention. The previously instituted common government of Breda was overthrown by the catholic garrison and members of the city council. The king of Spain, Philip III was placed on the throne as king of Breda and Flanders. This was a clear insult both to the Republic of Flanders as well as the French monarchy. Henri asked Maurice of Nassau to marshal his forces outside Breda in order to strike fast and quick. Then a new situation arose.
Basque Protestants try to join France
For several years, French Huguenots had made the journey into Southern Spain in order to spread their faith. They had often been either burned at the stake or expelled after a rough treatment at the hands of the Spanish Inquisition. In March 1606 a number of villages, containing Huguenot converts, declared for France and presented proof that their cities and districts all belonged to the French crown and that they should be allowed to join the French kingdom to the North. Such a bold move would never even have been thought of in Spain ten years before. But Spain of 1606 was a lot more different than the Spain that had funded the Catholic League I 1589. Henri immediately demanded Philip to cede the territories in question to him – or else face the consequences. On March the 14th Philip answered with a rude no and mobilized his armies. A day later France was at war.
War is declared!
***
Arming the Hosts
***
Henri inspects the Army of Flanders
Although the Grand Design was utopian it provided the Protestants with a long time goal. Spain only held one last outpost on the northern French frontier and that was the stain on Henri’s perfect world the French king hated the most. Luxembourg was weakly defended which encouraged an attack, but the Austrian lands were terrifying near. It was generally agreed on at the Conceil des Affaires that the main blow had to be directed towards Spain proper. Yet if the current French army, which was a great force at the time, had to invade Spain then it would become far too easy for the Austrian armies just to march straight into France. Therefore the army had to be enlarged. Twenty new regiments each consisting of 1,000 men, cavalry of various sorts or artillery were raised throughout central France. New weapons were forged, supplies were gathered and capital raised for the coming war. By the end of 1605, the armies of king Henri had been reorganized and deployed for service.
L’armée des Flandres (the Army of Flanders) under the King numbered 20,000 men divided into three corps, lay in camp near the border to Alsace and Luxembourg. It consisted of the following:
- 6,000 cavaliers and dragoons
- 10,000 infantry and musketeers
- 4,000 artillerists and 400 pieces
- 8,000 cavaliers and dragoons
- 7,000 infantry and Swiss mercenaries
- 17,000 cavaliers and dragoons
- 14,000 infantry and musketeers
- 3,000 artillery and 300 pieces
The cavalry of the Royal Army
***
France At Arms
***
The cost of raising 20 new regiments and improving the arms of the older was a horrible thing to Sully. The old soldier cared for the French treasury, as Henri himself put it, “like an old woman over her only son.” Never the less, Henri wrested the money from the treasury and went about his busyness of arming France. Although the new national regiments were less costly than maintaining mercenary companies, it still hurt the coffins of Sully to let go of so many young men, who otherwise would have been out in the fields farming. But one fact still comforted Sully. Even the armament of France had not broken the state yet. France’s economy had passed its first test.
French income early 1606
***
The Storm Breaks
***
By February 1606, France was granted to perfect excuses for prosecuting a new war, a war of aggression. After the peace of Antwerp, Spain had desperately tried to keep what little influence she could, and the one place left where Spain was still heard and respected in Western Europe was in Breda. The city of Breda, the very city that had solved the first Great War and ignited the second would now once again become centre of attention. The previously instituted common government of Breda was overthrown by the catholic garrison and members of the city council. The king of Spain, Philip III was placed on the throne as king of Breda and Flanders. This was a clear insult both to the Republic of Flanders as well as the French monarchy. Henri asked Maurice of Nassau to marshal his forces outside Breda in order to strike fast and quick. Then a new situation arose.
Basque Protestants try to join France
For several years, French Huguenots had made the journey into Southern Spain in order to spread their faith. They had often been either burned at the stake or expelled after a rough treatment at the hands of the Spanish Inquisition. In March 1606 a number of villages, containing Huguenot converts, declared for France and presented proof that their cities and districts all belonged to the French crown and that they should be allowed to join the French kingdom to the North. Such a bold move would never even have been thought of in Spain ten years before. But Spain of 1606 was a lot more different than the Spain that had funded the Catholic League I 1589. Henri immediately demanded Philip to cede the territories in question to him – or else face the consequences. On March the 14th Philip answered with a rude no and mobilized his armies. A day later France was at war.
War is declared!
Ooh, the second war!
The french army seems huge for the 17th century!
at least in eu3 terms.
The french army seems huge for the 17th century!
at least in eu3 terms.
Indeed!Enewald said:The french army seems huge for the 17th century!
Henri made sure the French land forces had everything they need to face the war. But what is the state of the French navy? Is Henri relying on his new English friends or does he intend to win the naval war by himself too?
It seems that we aar down to fewer redAARs but that's cool never the less..
Anyways, yeah I've conducted a massive build up in order to overwhelm the Austrian giant. The French navy consists of 24 ships with 6-7 being large ships and the rest consisting of galleys and frigates/medium ships.
Anyways, yeah I've conducted a massive build up in order to overwhelm the Austrian giant. The French navy consists of 24 ships with 6-7 being large ships and the rest consisting of galleys and frigates/medium ships.
Well, Spain shouldn't proof much of a difficulty now, but Austria? Could you post some details on them?
Austria has lots and lots of men and manpower. That's about all I'll tell at this stage
Chapter XIII – War to the North! War in the South!
***
Securing the North
***
The Reformed Alliance respond to the call of France
France had declared war upon Spain and brought all of her allies (England, the Dutch Provinces, the Republic of Flanders, the principality of Alsace and the Republic of Sicily) with her into the fight against Spain, who in turn was supported by Portugal, Breda and Austria.
As March changed to April good and bad things happened to the French war effort on the northern front. Maurice of Nassau had honoured his alliance alongside the other parties of the Protestant cause and expelled the Spanish from Breda. On the other hand Austria had also honoured its alliance – with Spain. The Emperor marched two armies each consisting of 20,000 men towards the French border. He besieged Alsace and forced the protestant prince out of the war. A month had passed, but the two sides were still equal on the northern front as both had lost one minor ally. Then the Habsburg prince split his forces in two, sending the first towards Metz and the second towards the Netherlands. The first Austrian army stormed the walls of Metz and expelled the French garrison with relative ease, but at a considerable loss of manpower. The invaders then garrisoned the city lightly and advanced into Barrois.
Sieges fail and succeed
Splitting the Austrian invasion force was the mistake Henri had awaited from the invading commanders. From his headquarters in Champagne, Henri assembled his battle hardened Army of Flanders and attacked the Austrian besiegers. The French assault was so furious that the Habsburg army hardly managed to cause any casualties. However the magnitude of the victory was just as much owed to Henri’s tactics as the courage of his men. The cavaliers of Henri dashed forward with their colours fluttering in the wind and the hooves of their horses quelled any other sound. The shock was so hard that even the Austrian general fled the scene in panic.
Henri drives the Austrians from Barrois
Leaderless and demoralized, the Austrians retreated to Metz and the relative safety of their captured fortress. However Huguenots were in sharp pursuit and fell upon the desperate Austrians in a manner that made many think of the glorious days of the destruction of the Spaniard army of Flanders. What remained of the Austrian infantry escaped into the city of Metz. The city was surrounded by a French force and Henri drove the rest of his army further north in order to destroy the second Austrian invasion force which was rampaging through the Republic of Flanders.
One down, two to go
While Henri was fighting near the Rhine his allies in the Netherlands had taken both the Habsburg strongholds in the north. Luxembourg fell to the Flemish while Breda had surrendered to the Dutch Provinces. The Habsburgs had forced Alsace out of the war and invaded the Netherlands. Henri had handled the first wave of assaults surprisingly well. The question was, could he do it again?
Northern front March-November 1606
***
Invading the South
***
Claude de Boissieu had received the orders to attack by Sully himself a few days after the declaration of war. By the time the Royal Army was ready to invade Spain, Henri had already repelled the first Austrian army. In early September the large French force crossed the Pyrenees in two places and routed the Spaniard defence force in a single stroke. The sheer size of the French forces baffled many of the Spaniard commanders. Such was the surprise and fear of the huge army that preparations were made for the royal family to seek refuge in South America. Catalonia now lay open for a French occupation.
The second invasion had begun
A week after the advance of the Royal Army, the Army of the East entered Catalonia from Roussillon. The two forces then split up into smaller companies and began a lengthy campaign to secure the old lands of the crown of Aragon. To this the Spaniards had no answer, although several regiments of Portuguese soldiers were drafted to fight on the Spaniard/Aragonian border.
Southern front
***
Securing the North
***
The Reformed Alliance respond to the call of France
France had declared war upon Spain and brought all of her allies (England, the Dutch Provinces, the Republic of Flanders, the principality of Alsace and the Republic of Sicily) with her into the fight against Spain, who in turn was supported by Portugal, Breda and Austria.
As March changed to April good and bad things happened to the French war effort on the northern front. Maurice of Nassau had honoured his alliance alongside the other parties of the Protestant cause and expelled the Spanish from Breda. On the other hand Austria had also honoured its alliance – with Spain. The Emperor marched two armies each consisting of 20,000 men towards the French border. He besieged Alsace and forced the protestant prince out of the war. A month had passed, but the two sides were still equal on the northern front as both had lost one minor ally. Then the Habsburg prince split his forces in two, sending the first towards Metz and the second towards the Netherlands. The first Austrian army stormed the walls of Metz and expelled the French garrison with relative ease, but at a considerable loss of manpower. The invaders then garrisoned the city lightly and advanced into Barrois.
Sieges fail and succeed
Henri drives the Austrians from Barrois
Leaderless and demoralized, the Austrians retreated to Metz and the relative safety of their captured fortress. However Huguenots were in sharp pursuit and fell upon the desperate Austrians in a manner that made many think of the glorious days of the destruction of the Spaniard army of Flanders. What remained of the Austrian infantry escaped into the city of Metz. The city was surrounded by a French force and Henri drove the rest of his army further north in order to destroy the second Austrian invasion force which was rampaging through the Republic of Flanders.
One down, two to go
While Henri was fighting near the Rhine his allies in the Netherlands had taken both the Habsburg strongholds in the north. Luxembourg fell to the Flemish while Breda had surrendered to the Dutch Provinces. The Habsburgs had forced Alsace out of the war and invaded the Netherlands. Henri had handled the first wave of assaults surprisingly well. The question was, could he do it again?
Northern front March-November 1606
***
Invading the South
***
Claude de Boissieu had received the orders to attack by Sully himself a few days after the declaration of war. By the time the Royal Army was ready to invade Spain, Henri had already repelled the first Austrian army. In early September the large French force crossed the Pyrenees in two places and routed the Spaniard defence force in a single stroke. The sheer size of the French forces baffled many of the Spaniard commanders. Such was the surprise and fear of the huge army that preparations were made for the royal family to seek refuge in South America. Catalonia now lay open for a French occupation.
The second invasion had begun
A week after the advance of the Royal Army, the Army of the East entered Catalonia from Roussillon. The two forces then split up into smaller companies and began a lengthy campaign to secure the old lands of the crown of Aragon. To this the Spaniards had no answer, although several regiments of Portuguese soldiers were drafted to fight on the Spaniard/Aragonian border.
Southern front
