The Reign of Pasquall Uvelli - Part II
Mocking the Weak
As celebrations erupted through out the realm to honor the people of Tuscany and their magnificent leader, an alarming message had arrived. Ferrara decided to empower itself by declaring war on Mantua, now a vassal of Tuscany, and dragging their ally, Sicily, along, in their honorless agression against an already suffering nation.
An envoy from Mantua arrived in Firenze, during one of the many celebration feasts, asking for help. It must be said that Pasquell enjoyed seeing a former agressor beg for his survival, but he would enjoy even more the thing he was about to do.
The diplomat was sent away with a negative answer, as Pasquell offered his guests a new form of entertainment, namely they would collectively write a mocking reply to the leader of Ferrara. A rough copy of the original, written from the words of the delivering diplomat, can now be found in the libraries of Rome:
"I shall not protect my vassal against your attack, as I as well would like to see my former agressors suffer at the hands of yet another enemy. Therefore I bless you and hope that the Emperor will see your actions as rightful"
Needless to say the Emperor was the guest of honor at the given banquet and enjoyed writing the letter as much as Pasquell. The two had been good friends for a while and the Emperor could not wait to exercise his authority humiliating Ferrara.
After annexing Mantua, Ferrara controlled the lands for only 3 months only to become the laughing stock of the entire Italy (+ 8 BB) and ending up with nothing. (Mantua released)
Two years after the war (1462-1464) were of growth and prosperity. During this time Pasquell did what he was good at - business. Many merchants were sent across the entire known world, making Tuscany the richest nation in Europe. Tuscanian merchants were the first to resume trade in Constantinople, bringing back stories of godless deeds commited by the Turks. The riches brought prosperity and culture to the Rebublic.
Another diplomatic victory came in 1464, marking the peak of the short peace era. Pasquall, using his ties to the Emperor, led a campaign to fully recognize his claims in Italy - few could refuse the Holy Roman Emperor.
Divide and Conquer - The 1464-1467 Italian War
In time Pasquall's interests turned to his original target - Romagna. He was hatching numerous plans and buttering up his old allies, as well as trying to make new friends. Needless to say reality once again presented a perfect opportunity, surprising all.
In 1464 Sicilily declared war on the Pope, Siena chose to "Commit the Greatest of Sins," as the Pope told at the time, and dishonor the alliance. Quickly Sicilian 12 000 troops swooped over the walls of Rome, capturing it, all while the Pope was in Romagna with his 10 000 men.....waiting.
What followed was the most cunning move by Pasquall, later earning him the nickname Fox.
As one can see from the map, Tuscany acted as a border between the Sicilian army and that of the Holy See. Suddenly wishing not only to conquer Romagna, but Siena as well, Pasquall decided to keep Sicily and the Pope busy or "Let them enjoy handing out gold to their armies for some time" was how Pasquall put it at the time. Envoys were quickly sent out, informing the rivaling countries that Tuscany officially revokes military access from both parties. Being a diplomat that he is, Pasquall made it look good by writing: "In the name of peace on the Italian Peninsula and for the protection of the holy city of Rome and common folk through out the lands"
Having written the given letters Pasquall once again acted as a true diplomat, hypocritical as they are, and declared war on Siena. The country was conquered and vassalized in a matter of months in 1465.
It must be noted that Genoa refused to join the said war, due to its meddling affairs in Germany it was busy trying to keep the forces of the Emperor from Genoa, ultimately failing at the task. The Emperor, as merciful as he is, forced Genoa to release Corsica as a sovereign state.
Pasquell could have spoken to the Emperor, gently aligning him for a white peace and aiding Genoa, but the truth was, that by this time relations between Tuscany and Genoa had cooled down. Mostly due to different outviews on the politics of Italy, Pasquall supporting the merchant class of Guelphs and Genoa the aristocratic Ghibellines.
Having established a loyal government in Siena, Pasquall turned to Romagna, yet he was reluctant to attack, as the Pope still had 9 000 troops there. He devised another interesting move, giving military access only to God's representative on earth and leaving Sicily out in the cold, in hopes that the Pope will march his forces to liberate Rome, leaving Romagna unprotected.
As wise as the Pope was, or as stupid, he decided to divide his forces and sent 3000 of his men across the border to fight the Sicilian 12 000, needless to say the servants of St. Peter's heir were never heard from again.
Pasquall acted again, giving military access to Sicily, his spies soon said that the entire Sicilian force was seen moving towards Romagna. Pasquall hastily declared war on the Pope, assembled a small cavalry force and managed to arrive an hour before the Sicilians, taking control of their army and destroying the Pope's forces. Out of 6000 only 2000 escaped. Pasquall did not wish to release the Sicilian army from his grip, leading them in for an assault and claiming Romagna for himself.
The King of Sicily actually thanked Pasquall for his aid and superior commanding skills, this was, of course, before the Pope officially recognized Romagna as Tuscan lands. The thoughts of the Sicilian King on this matter are unknown.
By 1467 the Holy See commanded no troops whatsoever and was forced to acknowledge Sicily as its secular overlord, keeping his religious authority and dignity intacked, or atleast the Pope thought so, most on the otherhand, did not agree.
Italy in 1467
As one can see from the map, Tuscany controlled 4 provinces directly and Modena and Siena as vassals, Pasquell had effectively tripled the country that he took over from Cosimo, overshadowing his predecessor by a large margin.
Yet Tuscany not only grown in width, but also in quality - the country became the richest in the known world having a dominating presense in all of the known Centres of Trade.
The last 6 years of Pasquall Uvelli's rule were marked by relative stability and prosperity, despite some minor drawbacks....
The God's Punishment?
As Pasquall was developping economical and personal ties with its vassals, hoping to bring them closer to Firenze and eventually integrate them fully, disaster struck in 1468. The Barbary Pirates, still acking from the raid organized by Pasquell many moons ago, decided to avenge their loss and reclaim their ducats, mounting a raid on the Ancona province.
A man of peasant blood emerged to aid the people who suffered at the hands of the savage pirate scum. A son of a mere farmer, he was able to climb the clergy hierarchy and used his newly acclaimed power to help the poor and the weak, during a time of crisis. By his actions and mere existanse he showed the men and women of Ancona that Lord is with them (/OOC Both Effective bishop and hometown pride active in Ancona, MM is brilliant!)
Before his death in 1473 Pasquall received a chance to once again deal a painful blow to the pirates, ensuring a smile for weeks on an elderly face.
On the 12th of June 1473 Pasquall "The Fox" Uvelle passed on to meet our Lord. He accomplished more than any Tuscan ruler before him, yet his final days were saddened by the fact that he was not able to fully incorporate Modena and Siena into his realm, a task left for his successor. Many of the nobles believed that this was due to the death of his good friend, The Holy Roman Emperor of Austria and the election of a Bohemian King as the new Emperor in 1470. With this change the next ruler has to be more than capable if he wishes to annex Modena and Siena without angering the Emperor.
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I am surprised I accomplished this, the two parts of Pasquall's rule took a good part of the day to write. Doing this made the game feel a lot more real and historical, truly enchanced.
And even though I enjoy the game much more by having written this, I would like to receive some feedback, as to know what could be improved and whether or not I am speaking in an empty audience room.
I would once again like to thank the creators of Magda Mundi, people who made a good game perfect! (and a lot more difficult, expanding in HRE is a pain *grins*, much more fun though!)