On it goes
The rest of January went swimmingly for Portugal. The expedition left Lisboa without a hitch, Spain accepted the gift and the relations between the two countries greatly increased. Elsewhere, however, things were not so tranquil. The tension on the border of Spain and France was rising and the Spanish alliance was breaking up. João II, however, had no idea of these things and as far as he was concerned, Spain was free from hostilities and friendly towards Portugal. So everything was great.
Febuary 13th
Word is recieved from the merchant in Andalusia: the tension on the Spain/France border had reached melting point and it errupted into total warfare on the 10th. Due to the horrible condition of the Spanish alliance, Spain was only backed by Milan. France, however, was backed by Savoy, The Papal States, Brittany and Scotland.
The rest of Febuary tittered away with very little fighting since the initial outburst of Febuary 13th.
March 6th
The footmen in Tangiers finish their training, they march happily into the ranks of the Army of Faro. Word from the east tells of territory disputues between the Moslem empires of Turkey and The Mameluks.
March 19th
After many rumours that the bulking of ranks in Tangiers was to help defend from the rising power of Morocco, people begin to flee from Tangiers back to Portugal. This does not help the fledgling economy in the North African settlement. João II responded by annoncing that the province of Tangiers will remain unconqured and in the hands of The Portuguese Empire at the end of 5 years time. On the 20th, the territory disputes in the East escallate into war. Neither side is assisted by any other country.
April 5th
A message is recieved from the African province of Dakar, it appears to be from our settlers informing us that they have successfully set up a trading post. They said no more so we know nothing else of the rest of the expedition.
April 7th
A place in the military alliance of The Hanseatic Leauge (Pommerainia, Holstein & England) is offered to Portugal. The offer is accompanied with a proposition of royal marriage between Jorge, João II's illegitimate son, and Elizabeth Boleyn, Countess of Wiltshire. Portugal accepted the offers and word was sent to the respective palaces on the 8th, along with a merchant to the COT of Mecklemburg.
April 12th
The rumours of maurauding Moroccans well and truly over, 3000 men begin training to become cavalry in the Army of Faro. A letter is recieved on the 15th from our merchant in Andalusia, it tells of the rebellion that was brewing in Grenada. The rebellion has been left unattended by Spain. It has spread further west towards our borders and is currently occupying Toldedo.
May 20th
A small marchant ship brings two colonists from Leone (Ivory Coast) and Fernando Po, informing us of success onn both accounts. The trading post in Leone was established on April 22nd while the colony in Fernando Po was successful on the 7th of May. They say that Dias' expedition was going well and that it had left Fernando Po on the 6th of May, unaware of the successful settling on the small island.
June 4th
News from the East. Turkey is moving quickly through Mameluk territory. Citizens begin to worry that this seemingly invincible army will push all the way through North Africa towards Tangiers. These outrageous ideas convince João II to ensure his people that he will do all in his power to prevent Turkey from reaching North Africa.
June 18th
Word from the Fraco-Spanish war: Milan has been kicked out of the war due to forced annexation by France. This leaves Spain alone against a growing rebellion in the South and a large, hostile army heading towards it's Northern borders.
The end of the 6 month mark leaves João II slightly melancholy. While he has succeded in achieving an alliance and is well on the way to colonisation in India. His Iberian neighbour has become quite weak with enemies on both sides. Still, it is not his fault. His plans for 'A New Portuguese Empire' can not be blamed for Spain's poor decisions. Overall, it had been a good 6 months.
Thar she goes, 2nd update. More time covered but a lack of screenshots (I forgot to take screenshots). Also, if you haven't already guessed, this AAR is going to progress very slowly.
