Oh, that was great! Columbus as a fisherman in the Canary Islands...now that is funny! You just keep getting better and better, anibal! For english not being your first language you are doing very well with it.
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Very good, a sugestion put the 'cognome'
D. João II was called the Perfect Prince.
You made an incredible conquest, Alexandria.
The only thing i don't like is Aragon being in Africa, when they form all spain maybe you have lucky and they will get out of Africa
D. João II was called the Perfect Prince.
You made an incredible conquest, Alexandria.
The only thing i don't like is Aragon being in Africa, when they form all spain maybe you have lucky and they will get out of Africa
Chapter V, part I
Chapter V, part I
King Manuel I (October/1495 - December/1521)
ADM = 7
DIP = 8
MIL = 6
Treasury = 89d
Stability = +3
Inflation = 1.5%
BadBoy = 0.0
Technologies:
Land = 5
Naval = 10
Trade = 4
Infra = 3
DP Sliders:
Aristocracy = 4
Centralization = 10
Innovative = 5
Mercantilism = 10
Offensive = 4
Land = 0
Quality = 9
Serfdom = 2
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Lisboa, 19th October, 1495 A.D.. The Royal Palace.
The new king D. Manuel I has a meeting with Araujo.
- Unfortunatelly, my cousing suddenly died yesterday. Everybody knew that he was a drunk man, and something like this was expected. But life goes on, and I name you as my prime minister, as the other kings done.
- Surelly I'll be your most loyal minister and friend!
- D. João II should be remembered. He launched the bases for our upcomming conquests on the Indies. Or do you think that I would quit from our holy task of controlling the spice trade?
- No, no, no! I would never mention that! - Araujo sighs. - Maybe if your cousing kept the work of your uncle, D. Afonso V, conquering many lands at once, we could not be stand up like now, we could lose control of many territories fast, because we had no way of keeping them!
- But now the time of new conquests has come. First, Araujo, I'd like you to give me a brief report of our situation. Politcs, foreign affairs?
- We have dinastic alliances with Spain, England, Venice and Genoa. Those italians are the most trustfull friends of ours! We have trade agreements with Genoa and Venice, you know. And our military alliance is with Venice, as Genoa already takes part on an alliance with Milan, Tyrol, Hessen, Cologne and the Pope.
- And Spain?
- They are allied with France and the spanish vassal Aragon. Granada is also another vassal, you know. A strong alliance. Besides that, we have military access through Genoa, Venice, Aragon, The Knights of St. John and Spain.
- Okay. What about our trade?
- We have a strong presence in the trading cities of Lisboa, of course, Alexandria and Lagos, all controlled by us. We embargo Tlemcen, Granada and our vassal, Benin.
- The army?
- We have about 12k men in Alexandria and 9k in our colony if Ilhéus, in the cape.
- The navy?
- We have 9 warships and 5 transportships in Alexandria. Big enough to board our troops and leave if needed, if the Mamelukes come with a big army against us. And big enough to win battles against them and maybe the turks. We have 20 warships and 12 galleys in Ceuta. I suppose this is big enough to block and lock the strait of Gibraltar if we need to. We have 10 warships ready in the colony of Ilhéus and Flotilla Admiral Bartolomeu Dias commands 3 warships in Goiania's Area, the island of Mahe. He is exploring the Indies.
- That's enough, Araujo. Thank you. I'll think a little, talk to other advisors and tomorrow I make the first decision of my reign!
The next day...
- Araujo, these are my first acts: first, to embargo Morocco. They are taking much trade in Alexandria and this cannot be allowed! And second, I order more soldiers to be recruited in Dourados, to enlarge our amrmy in Ilhéus. I plan to declare war on Kilwa and control the trading city of Zanzibar soon. The conquests must begin!
- Don't you want to colonize also?
- Yes. I'll keep sending one group of 100 colonists to Ilhéus each year, until it receives the status of colonial city. After that, we'll see what happens.
- I suppose you know about the westlands, don't you?
- Yes, I do. I will reach them, for sure! But I need to make this looks like a "casual" discovery, so let's wait for the right moment. I think you understand why.
- Surely.
15th March, 1496: Flotilla Admiral Bartolomeu Dias discovers the sultanate of Bengal. He notices that they control a big commercial city, called Calcutta, in the delta of the Ganges river. The king, as he knows that, opens his big eyes...
17th November: A pretender to the Mamelukes's throne arrives in Lisboa. He asks 50 ducats to the king to support his cause, giving an army of 5000 infantry and 2000 cavalry to aid on the war. Manuel accepts, only because he will have more expansive troops at a low price than to have a reason to make war against the Mamelukes. The troops shall stay in Lisboa. His plans are in the Indies, not in Egypt!
Lisboa, 24th March, 1497 A.D.. The Royal Palace.
- I am ready for war! - the king smiles.
- Towards Zanzibar, against Kilwa? - Araujo asked.
- Yes. I order our army on the cape to board and go! Our indian conquests begun!
- Moslems control Zanzibar...
- Better yet! More places to carry the Holy Inquisition!
And then, in the same day, 6138/5592 men under colonel De Vellasco receive orders to board. 13 warships under Flotilla Admiral Bartolomeu Dias wait for them at the harbour.
13th June: The portuguese navy approaches the Zanzibar island. Sultan Ali Fudail received the portuguese declaration of war. Kilwa has no allies, and the portuguese king doesn't ask Venice for help, because he doesn't want to hurt relations if they refuse to go at war with a probably unknown nation for them.
The island has no defenders but 10k men into its fortress. De Vellasco lands and Bartolomeu Dias blockades the island with his navy.
Lisboa, 9th July, 1497 A.D.. At the Harbour.
The king has a meeting with Araujo and a sailor.
- Vasco da Gama, for having served us well on our mediterranean fleet, you are now promoted to Vice Admiral! - the king smiles. - You have a task: Go to the Indies!
- King, I am most pleased! But... do you want me to take part on the war against Kilwa?
- No. Explore! Find more lands in the Indies! New realms! New commercial cities! New spice-producing places! You are awarded the command of three caravels for the task. Use our ports to supply you!
- I shall do that and send you reports, king! - he enters his caravel and goes.
5th August: Kilwa is embargoed. According to the plans, Kilwa will have to give us Zanzibar and then will be forbid to trade there! A huge hit.
19th September: Bartolomeu Dias defeats 3/4/0 Kilwa's ships, sinking 1/0/0 in the battle and losing nothing.
Zanzibar, 16th May, 1498 A.D.. Near the Harbour.
After the falling of the island for the portuguese, Colonel De Vellasco has a meeting with Flotilla Admiral Bartolomeu Dias.
- Yes, Admiral. The city fell to our troops! And thanks for your blockade! - De Vellasco smiles.
- Without my fleet, they surelly would have landed here and could cause you more problems.
- Now, take my army to land on their capital, the city if Rufiji, to force their ruler to give us the island in exchange for peace!
- Yes, but first let me assure that I can heavily damage his navy.
29th May: Bartolomeu Dias defeats 2/4/0 Kilwa's ships, sinking 0/1/0 and losing none.
6th July: A messanger tells De Vellasco that Ali Fudail offers 34 ducats in exchange for peace. Silly guy! The messanger was captured to ensure that Ali will give the island.
11th July: De Vellasco is ready. He boards on Bartolomeu Dias's fleet.
1st September: Bartolomeu Dias defeats 2/3/0 Kilwa's ships near the capital, sinking 0/2/0 of them.
2nd October: De Vellasco lands and defeats 1000/0 newly recruited soldiers there. His army is 4832/5534 men big. He starts to besiege the capital.
Outiside the walls of Rufiji... A seargent talks to Colonel De Vellasco.
- Colonel, only around 5000 men secure this city. They are poorly armed.
- 5000 poorly armed men inside the walls? CCCHHHHAAAARRRRGGGGEEEE! Soldiers, the party has begun!
Using an abandoned catapult, De Vellasco managed to put the main gate down.
- SOLDIERS! LET'S ASSAULT THE FORTRESS!
The seargent was right. The rufijian defenders were poorly armed and trained. De Vellasco loses less than 800 men on the battle. On 28th October, the kilwan capital is on portuguese hands.
Held as a prisioner, Ali Fudail urges De Vellasco to stop the war and offers Zanzibar in exchange. Perfect. Now Zanzibar is a portuguese city!
Bartolomeu Dias takes the army to secure the island. As the zanzibarian people is muslim, uprisings and revolts are expected.
1st November: As expected, 11000 muslims rebelled and started to besiege the city of Zanzibar. The army, before securing the island, needs to land on it and fight the rebels.
Lisboa, 3rd January, 1499 A.D.. Near the Barracks.
The king talks to one of the army's commander.
- Afonso de Albuquerque, would you like to be promoted to General with the special title of Conquistador?
- Who wouldn't, my dear King?
- But you need to take courage to command our troops in the Indies!
- I shall agree! The Indies shall be ours!
- You are a man of courage. You are a very skilled commander. You have total command on our troops there.
- Thank you, sire!
- You are dismissed. Get on the ships to Zanzibar!
And then he goes with his troops of 6000/2000, the "mamelukes" troops with more 1000 newly recruited men.
14th January: De Vellasco's army landed on Zanzibar, but was completelly anihillated by the rebels. He also died on battle. At least, with only around 3500 men, the rebels can't keep besieging, but they can cover the island. Knowing this, General Afonso de Albuquerque takes for himself the task of crushing the rebels. Recruitments are ordered in Dourados, to aid Afonso de Albuquerque.
Alexandria, 2nd April, 1499 A.D.. The Governor's House.
The portuguese provincial governor of Alexandria receives a special advisor.
- Good or bad news? - He asked.
- Well... whatever you may call it... but the mameluke province of Delta, with Damietta as its capital, has rebelled and declared themselves ruled by D. Manuel I! They seek for protection!
- Don't know if it is good or bad. More lands to secure, maybe. Muslim lands. We shall bring the Holy Inquisition there!
- But this means that the Mamelukes's power is declining, sir!
- Of course. Less threat for us here in Alexandria. We could always give them Damietta in exchange for peace, and Manuel would agree, but NEVER Alexandria!
13th October: 5802/4801 men under General Afonso de Albuquerque are ready in Dourados to free Zanzibar from the rebels. They board on the portuguese fleed under Bartolomeu Dias.
Lisboa, 1st January, 1500 A.D.. The Royal Palace.
This is a day to be remembered on history. The Merchants Association again gifts the king (this time not D. João II, but D. Manuel I) with 100 ducats, to be used on the exploration of the Indies.
Also at the palace, an army and a navy commanders are having a meeting with D. Manuel I and Araujo.
- Flotilla Admiral Pedro Álvares Cabral, you have always been a trustfull nobleman to me. I want to gift you with rights on the Indian trade. And Brigadier Almeida, you'll also have your share on the Indian profits!
- But what would we do in exchange? - Pedro Álvares Cabral asked.
- You'll conquer more territory in the Indies. Brigadier Almeida, you'll be the superior of Afonso de Albuquerque. He is a General, and you are a Brigadier! Both you should conquer more territory!
- Yes, but first we need to get there... How to go to the Indies?- Pedro sighs.
- It is simple. Turn the Cape Bojador, pass Cabo Verde and turn west. Doing this you'll take benefit from newly discovered sea streams, doing a faster trip. And then, more down south, turn east and you'll easily cross the Cape of Good Hope!
- Okay, we shall do that! - Pedro smiles.
- I'm thirsty for killing some infidels... - Almeida says.
And then they leave. With the money received, the king orders mercenaries to be recruited, for he has no army in Lisboa. Almeida now commands 6000/500 men. 4 ships were ordered to come from Ceuta to join the 3 ships of Pedro Álvares Cabral.
- Araujo, Pedro Álvares Cabral is the man who will "discover" the westlands for us. As he isn't an experienced sailor, I "created" these streams only to make him turn westwards.
- Yes, nice bet! Let's make it look like a casual discovery! And since spies report that the spanish are settling in some islands in the westlands...
- Let's run for them! Let's "discover" our own westlands!
Surely, a day to go to history.
Chapter V, part I
King Manuel I (October/1495 - December/1521)
ADM = 7
DIP = 8
MIL = 6
Treasury = 89d
Stability = +3
Inflation = 1.5%
BadBoy = 0.0
Technologies:
Land = 5
Naval = 10
Trade = 4
Infra = 3
DP Sliders:
Aristocracy = 4
Centralization = 10
Innovative = 5
Mercantilism = 10
Offensive = 4
Land = 0
Quality = 9
Serfdom = 2
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Lisboa, 19th October, 1495 A.D.. The Royal Palace.
The new king D. Manuel I has a meeting with Araujo.
- Unfortunatelly, my cousing suddenly died yesterday. Everybody knew that he was a drunk man, and something like this was expected. But life goes on, and I name you as my prime minister, as the other kings done.
- Surelly I'll be your most loyal minister and friend!
- D. João II should be remembered. He launched the bases for our upcomming conquests on the Indies. Or do you think that I would quit from our holy task of controlling the spice trade?
- No, no, no! I would never mention that! - Araujo sighs. - Maybe if your cousing kept the work of your uncle, D. Afonso V, conquering many lands at once, we could not be stand up like now, we could lose control of many territories fast, because we had no way of keeping them!
- But now the time of new conquests has come. First, Araujo, I'd like you to give me a brief report of our situation. Politcs, foreign affairs?
- We have dinastic alliances with Spain, England, Venice and Genoa. Those italians are the most trustfull friends of ours! We have trade agreements with Genoa and Venice, you know. And our military alliance is with Venice, as Genoa already takes part on an alliance with Milan, Tyrol, Hessen, Cologne and the Pope.
- And Spain?
- They are allied with France and the spanish vassal Aragon. Granada is also another vassal, you know. A strong alliance. Besides that, we have military access through Genoa, Venice, Aragon, The Knights of St. John and Spain.
- Okay. What about our trade?
- We have a strong presence in the trading cities of Lisboa, of course, Alexandria and Lagos, all controlled by us. We embargo Tlemcen, Granada and our vassal, Benin.
- The army?
- We have about 12k men in Alexandria and 9k in our colony if Ilhéus, in the cape.
- The navy?
- We have 9 warships and 5 transportships in Alexandria. Big enough to board our troops and leave if needed, if the Mamelukes come with a big army against us. And big enough to win battles against them and maybe the turks. We have 20 warships and 12 galleys in Ceuta. I suppose this is big enough to block and lock the strait of Gibraltar if we need to. We have 10 warships ready in the colony of Ilhéus and Flotilla Admiral Bartolomeu Dias commands 3 warships in Goiania's Area, the island of Mahe. He is exploring the Indies.
- That's enough, Araujo. Thank you. I'll think a little, talk to other advisors and tomorrow I make the first decision of my reign!
The next day...
- Araujo, these are my first acts: first, to embargo Morocco. They are taking much trade in Alexandria and this cannot be allowed! And second, I order more soldiers to be recruited in Dourados, to enlarge our amrmy in Ilhéus. I plan to declare war on Kilwa and control the trading city of Zanzibar soon. The conquests must begin!
- Don't you want to colonize also?
- Yes. I'll keep sending one group of 100 colonists to Ilhéus each year, until it receives the status of colonial city. After that, we'll see what happens.
- I suppose you know about the westlands, don't you?
- Yes, I do. I will reach them, for sure! But I need to make this looks like a "casual" discovery, so let's wait for the right moment. I think you understand why.
- Surely.
15th March, 1496: Flotilla Admiral Bartolomeu Dias discovers the sultanate of Bengal. He notices that they control a big commercial city, called Calcutta, in the delta of the Ganges river. The king, as he knows that, opens his big eyes...
17th November: A pretender to the Mamelukes's throne arrives in Lisboa. He asks 50 ducats to the king to support his cause, giving an army of 5000 infantry and 2000 cavalry to aid on the war. Manuel accepts, only because he will have more expansive troops at a low price than to have a reason to make war against the Mamelukes. The troops shall stay in Lisboa. His plans are in the Indies, not in Egypt!
Lisboa, 24th March, 1497 A.D.. The Royal Palace.
- I am ready for war! - the king smiles.
- Towards Zanzibar, against Kilwa? - Araujo asked.
- Yes. I order our army on the cape to board and go! Our indian conquests begun!
- Moslems control Zanzibar...
- Better yet! More places to carry the Holy Inquisition!
And then, in the same day, 6138/5592 men under colonel De Vellasco receive orders to board. 13 warships under Flotilla Admiral Bartolomeu Dias wait for them at the harbour.
13th June: The portuguese navy approaches the Zanzibar island. Sultan Ali Fudail received the portuguese declaration of war. Kilwa has no allies, and the portuguese king doesn't ask Venice for help, because he doesn't want to hurt relations if they refuse to go at war with a probably unknown nation for them.
The island has no defenders but 10k men into its fortress. De Vellasco lands and Bartolomeu Dias blockades the island with his navy.
Lisboa, 9th July, 1497 A.D.. At the Harbour.
The king has a meeting with Araujo and a sailor.
- Vasco da Gama, for having served us well on our mediterranean fleet, you are now promoted to Vice Admiral! - the king smiles. - You have a task: Go to the Indies!
- King, I am most pleased! But... do you want me to take part on the war against Kilwa?
- No. Explore! Find more lands in the Indies! New realms! New commercial cities! New spice-producing places! You are awarded the command of three caravels for the task. Use our ports to supply you!
- I shall do that and send you reports, king! - he enters his caravel and goes.
5th August: Kilwa is embargoed. According to the plans, Kilwa will have to give us Zanzibar and then will be forbid to trade there! A huge hit.
19th September: Bartolomeu Dias defeats 3/4/0 Kilwa's ships, sinking 1/0/0 in the battle and losing nothing.
Zanzibar, 16th May, 1498 A.D.. Near the Harbour.
After the falling of the island for the portuguese, Colonel De Vellasco has a meeting with Flotilla Admiral Bartolomeu Dias.
- Yes, Admiral. The city fell to our troops! And thanks for your blockade! - De Vellasco smiles.
- Without my fleet, they surelly would have landed here and could cause you more problems.
- Now, take my army to land on their capital, the city if Rufiji, to force their ruler to give us the island in exchange for peace!
- Yes, but first let me assure that I can heavily damage his navy.
29th May: Bartolomeu Dias defeats 2/4/0 Kilwa's ships, sinking 0/1/0 and losing none.
6th July: A messanger tells De Vellasco that Ali Fudail offers 34 ducats in exchange for peace. Silly guy! The messanger was captured to ensure that Ali will give the island.
11th July: De Vellasco is ready. He boards on Bartolomeu Dias's fleet.
1st September: Bartolomeu Dias defeats 2/3/0 Kilwa's ships near the capital, sinking 0/2/0 of them.
2nd October: De Vellasco lands and defeats 1000/0 newly recruited soldiers there. His army is 4832/5534 men big. He starts to besiege the capital.
Outiside the walls of Rufiji... A seargent talks to Colonel De Vellasco.
- Colonel, only around 5000 men secure this city. They are poorly armed.
- 5000 poorly armed men inside the walls? CCCHHHHAAAARRRRGGGGEEEE! Soldiers, the party has begun!
Using an abandoned catapult, De Vellasco managed to put the main gate down.
- SOLDIERS! LET'S ASSAULT THE FORTRESS!
The seargent was right. The rufijian defenders were poorly armed and trained. De Vellasco loses less than 800 men on the battle. On 28th October, the kilwan capital is on portuguese hands.
Held as a prisioner, Ali Fudail urges De Vellasco to stop the war and offers Zanzibar in exchange. Perfect. Now Zanzibar is a portuguese city!
Bartolomeu Dias takes the army to secure the island. As the zanzibarian people is muslim, uprisings and revolts are expected.
1st November: As expected, 11000 muslims rebelled and started to besiege the city of Zanzibar. The army, before securing the island, needs to land on it and fight the rebels.
Lisboa, 3rd January, 1499 A.D.. Near the Barracks.
The king talks to one of the army's commander.
- Afonso de Albuquerque, would you like to be promoted to General with the special title of Conquistador?
- Who wouldn't, my dear King?
- But you need to take courage to command our troops in the Indies!
- I shall agree! The Indies shall be ours!
- You are a man of courage. You are a very skilled commander. You have total command on our troops there.
- Thank you, sire!
- You are dismissed. Get on the ships to Zanzibar!
And then he goes with his troops of 6000/2000, the "mamelukes" troops with more 1000 newly recruited men.
14th January: De Vellasco's army landed on Zanzibar, but was completelly anihillated by the rebels. He also died on battle. At least, with only around 3500 men, the rebels can't keep besieging, but they can cover the island. Knowing this, General Afonso de Albuquerque takes for himself the task of crushing the rebels. Recruitments are ordered in Dourados, to aid Afonso de Albuquerque.
Alexandria, 2nd April, 1499 A.D.. The Governor's House.
The portuguese provincial governor of Alexandria receives a special advisor.
- Good or bad news? - He asked.
- Well... whatever you may call it... but the mameluke province of Delta, with Damietta as its capital, has rebelled and declared themselves ruled by D. Manuel I! They seek for protection!
- Don't know if it is good or bad. More lands to secure, maybe. Muslim lands. We shall bring the Holy Inquisition there!
- But this means that the Mamelukes's power is declining, sir!
- Of course. Less threat for us here in Alexandria. We could always give them Damietta in exchange for peace, and Manuel would agree, but NEVER Alexandria!
13th October: 5802/4801 men under General Afonso de Albuquerque are ready in Dourados to free Zanzibar from the rebels. They board on the portuguese fleed under Bartolomeu Dias.
Lisboa, 1st January, 1500 A.D.. The Royal Palace.
This is a day to be remembered on history. The Merchants Association again gifts the king (this time not D. João II, but D. Manuel I) with 100 ducats, to be used on the exploration of the Indies.
Also at the palace, an army and a navy commanders are having a meeting with D. Manuel I and Araujo.
- Flotilla Admiral Pedro Álvares Cabral, you have always been a trustfull nobleman to me. I want to gift you with rights on the Indian trade. And Brigadier Almeida, you'll also have your share on the Indian profits!
- But what would we do in exchange? - Pedro Álvares Cabral asked.
- You'll conquer more territory in the Indies. Brigadier Almeida, you'll be the superior of Afonso de Albuquerque. He is a General, and you are a Brigadier! Both you should conquer more territory!
- Yes, but first we need to get there... How to go to the Indies?- Pedro sighs.
- It is simple. Turn the Cape Bojador, pass Cabo Verde and turn west. Doing this you'll take benefit from newly discovered sea streams, doing a faster trip. And then, more down south, turn east and you'll easily cross the Cape of Good Hope!
- Okay, we shall do that! - Pedro smiles.
- I'm thirsty for killing some infidels... - Almeida says.
And then they leave. With the money received, the king orders mercenaries to be recruited, for he has no army in Lisboa. Almeida now commands 6000/500 men. 4 ships were ordered to come from Ceuta to join the 3 ships of Pedro Álvares Cabral.
- Araujo, Pedro Álvares Cabral is the man who will "discover" the westlands for us. As he isn't an experienced sailor, I "created" these streams only to make him turn westwards.
- Yes, nice bet! Let's make it look like a casual discovery! And since spies report that the spanish are settling in some islands in the westlands...
- Let's run for them! Let's "discover" our own westlands!
Surely, a day to go to history.
Last edited:
Punish the infidel! Make him convert! Plus you got a defection in your favor. can't hardly complain. Great update!
-
So, how is India discoveries??
Show an image so we can see how far are you from the rich indies.
What are your planes? kill infidels, colonize west or colonize east or Africa??
So, how is India discoveries??
Show an image so we can see how far are you from the rich indies.
What are your planes? kill infidels, colonize west or colonize east or Africa??
Re: -
Maxax, I guess you didn't see the screenshots of the end of D. João II's reign. See them. I didn't get further yet except for discovering the Bengal CoT.
No way I'm gonna tell you now!
Let's read it! I have stated some objectives at the start of the AAR, but I have more... And, besides, I'm trying to play a different way as each monarch. Remember Afonso V? He was the conqueror and converter. Remember D. João I? He was the one who stablished Portugal itself as a maritme power. Remember D. João II? He was the one who secured the new lands of the empire. And now here is D. Manuel I. He goes until the end of 1521. There are twenty years ahead! I think you can imagine what are my plans for him, as they have already begun... Brazil is being "discovered", I control Zanzibar (despite of the rebels)...
Tomorrow comes more updates. Thank you for reading!
Maxax, I guess you didn't see the screenshots of the end of D. João II's reign. See them. I didn't get further yet except for discovering the Bengal CoT.
No way I'm gonna tell you now!
Let's read it! I have stated some objectives at the start of the AAR, but I have more... And, besides, I'm trying to play a different way as each monarch. Remember Afonso V? He was the conqueror and converter. Remember D. João I? He was the one who stablished Portugal itself as a maritme power. Remember D. João II? He was the one who secured the new lands of the empire. And now here is D. Manuel I. He goes until the end of 1521. There are twenty years ahead! I think you can imagine what are my plans for him, as they have already begun... Brazil is being "discovered", I control Zanzibar (despite of the rebels)...Tomorrow comes more updates. Thank you for reading!
Just to put it...
D. Manuel I was known as "The Fortunate", or maybe "The Lucky". Don't know what's the best translation for "O Venturoso". Maybe Maxax or Duque de Bragança could have a better idea!
D. Manuel I was known as "The Fortunate", or maybe "The Lucky". Don't know what's the best translation for "O Venturoso". Maybe Maxax or Duque de Bragança could have a better idea!
Chapter V, part II
Chapter V, part II
King Manuel I (October/1495 - December/1521)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Lisboa, 14th January, 1500 A.D.. The Royal Palace.
- With the increasing of our trade in the Indies, after conquering Zanzibar, I'm concerned with threats from the omani, mamelukes and even the ottoman turks. They may threat to cut our supply lines to the Indies, those that we just stablished. They may threat to finance piracy acts against us! - the king is a little worried.
- We have the most powerfull navy in the whole world! - Araujo interrupts.
- But this might not even be enough to secure it. I am taking measures.
- Which ones, lord?
- I've been secretly reforming our naval facilities since my reign started. Tomorrow it will be of public knowledge that, now, Portugal has the Europe's largest shipbuilding facilities!
- Awesome!... Well, yes, sometimes I saw strange movements at the harbour, but...
- It isn' in the harbour proper! It is in the NEW harbour! The facilities are located outside the city, because Lisboa is getting larger and larger because of the trade. We wouldn't have enough space. And it has keept the secret. And with that Lisboa could plan its growing in an organizated, modern way.
- With this we can produce even more ships for our needs!
- And I have sent messangers to the omani, mamelukes and ottoman sovereigns to prevent them from piracy and attacks on our marine. We are alerted. They know that any atempt can mean WAR!
- Be carefull, be carefull...
2nd February: General Afonso de Albuquerque defeats the rebels in Zanzibar, losing no men.
6nd February: To avoid conflicts, an omani diplomat proposed a trade agreement. D. Manuel I, of course, refused. In the same day, Pedro Álvares Cabral and Brigadier Almeida leave to Brazil, without knowing they will discover new land.
12th May: D. Manuel I hires two brothers to command different exploring missions. Flotilla Admiral Miguel de Corte Real was sent behind Cabral, to better explore any lands that Cabral might discover. And Vice Admiral Gaspar de Corte Real was told to simply go west. D. Manuel I wants to reach the lands that, as he has news, Spain and Aragon are settling. It is no more secret for anyone that there are big lands on west!
1st June: Bartolomeu Dias died on a storm. He was exploring an island called Sri Lanka.
9th September: Cabral sees land. Almeida is ordered to land.
2nd October: Almeida landed. They called that area "Recife", as there were many reefs near the shores. He boards on the fleet and they head to Zanzibar.
Lisboa, 4th November, 1500 A.D.. The Royal Palace.
- Today I issue the colonial pact! - the king exclaims.
- And what do you call a "colonial pact"? - Araujo asks.
- As our overseas lands are growing in number, I need to enforce the control over their production. From now on the colonists can only sell things to Portugal and they can only buy things from Portugal!
- Too drastic, don't you think?
- Sometimes we need to see drastic to enforce our control on what we have. And, besides, what about the new westlands? - the king shows almost no interest. - Rather brave natives, poor climate... The Indies are richer!
- At least build some trading posts there, to ensure our control.
- I shall do that. No needing to send hundreds of settlers.
11th January, 1501: The opening of a new trading center in Seville, Spain, caused D. Manuel I to enforce his colonization and conquest plans. It is the signal that Spain is getting very rich with colonization. He orders Miguel de Corte Real to explore more of the lands that Cabral discovered.
30th June: Brigadier Almeida and Flotilla Admiral Pedro Álvares Cabral arrive in Zanzibar. On the same day, in Lisboa...
- Let the fun begin! - D. Manuel I smiled. - I sent orders for Brigadier Almeida to march with his troops into the reign of Mombasa!
- Why?
- I want to control not only the island of Zanzibar, but also the strait of Zanzibar! And Mobasa has no allies: it will be a piece of cake.
- Will you conquer Mombasa?
- No! I want to make their muslim, infidel leader to recognize me as his overlord!
And then the troops were organized. Brigadier Almeida (6412/2348) boarded the ships of Commodore De Camões and General Afonso de Albuquerque (5000/3000) stayed in the island, to prevent any more uprisings.
28th August: Almeida lands and besieges the capital, the city of Mombasa. He met no resistance on the shores. On the same day, De Camões destroyed the Mombasa's fleet, consisting on only two small galleys.
17th September: Brigadier Almeida defeats 3000 cavalry from Mombasa. It came from the countryside. He lost 1600 infantrymen and 407 cavalry in battle, but destoyed the Mombasa's army. On the same day, king D. Manuel I embargoed Mombasa.
Mombasa, 28th October, 1501 A.D.. Outside the walls.
- Soldiers! We succesfully destoyed their army, and De Camões also destoyed their navy! Now, they only have 2500 defenders into the walls. LET'S GO! Let's enter and destroy them! Take no prisioners! CCCCHHHHAAAAARRRRRGGGGEEEE!
After a quick assault, that costed less than 1000 men, the city was captured.
Mombasa, 17th November, 1501 A.D.. Near the barracks.
The only defender made prisioner was the sultan of Mombasa. He urges peace!
- Okay. You have peace - said Almeida - but you will recgonize king D. Manuel I as your overlord and soverign!
- No way!
- Wanna die? - he points his sword at the sultan.
- Excuse me, please! I agree! I shall pay tribute to D. Manuel I as a vassal!
One hour after...
- Rui Lourenço de Ravasco, you commanded brilliantly your company during the battle and the assault.
- No, I didn't! My company lost almost 800 men!
- But you were the main responsable for the victory. I have power to do that, and I shall do it: you are now promoted to Brigadier, just like me. Take your medals!
The army was sent back to Zanzibar.
20th October, 1502: Pedro Álvares Cabral died near what he thinks to be islands, south of Mahe. His ship hit a reef, sunk and he didn't manage to swim. After all, he was a nobleman, not a soldier or sailor!
19th April, 1503: Vasco da Gama discovers the city of Malacca. The king opens his eyes. He starts planning a war to take that commercial city. Spies report that there are many spice-producing lands east of Malacca!
7th September: Vice Admiral Gaspar de Corte Real died on a tropical storm near newly discovered spanish islands, far west from the Azores. His brother, Miguel, was sent to that area, to continue the exploration of Gaspar. In honour, D. Manuel I orders colonists to leave Portugal and settle on those lands discovered by Cabral, that Miguel named "Land of the Holy Cross".
11th November: The colonists found the colony of Diamentina. Reports are that they can extract high-quality wood there, which will reduce the portuguese dependency upon the north-european wood when building ships.
13th November: Flotilla Admiral Miguel de Corte Real died on the same place of his brother when fighting privateers.
Lisboa, 27th December, 1503 A.D.. The Royal Palace.
- King, reports from the former crew of Miguel de Corte Real tell us that he saw a french flag on one of the privateers! - Araujo exclaimed.
- No, don't worry, Araujo. If they are there, they should be targeting spanish ships. We didn't have to be there.
- But nothing forbids them to hire privateers on the Indies...
- If they do so, we show them our might. I'll send a letter to the king of France, telling him that, for now, I forgive his mistake, but I won't give up again if he does piracy in our seas!
Chapter V, part II
King Manuel I (October/1495 - December/1521)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Lisboa, 14th January, 1500 A.D.. The Royal Palace.
- With the increasing of our trade in the Indies, after conquering Zanzibar, I'm concerned with threats from the omani, mamelukes and even the ottoman turks. They may threat to cut our supply lines to the Indies, those that we just stablished. They may threat to finance piracy acts against us! - the king is a little worried.
- We have the most powerfull navy in the whole world! - Araujo interrupts.
- But this might not even be enough to secure it. I am taking measures.
- Which ones, lord?
- I've been secretly reforming our naval facilities since my reign started. Tomorrow it will be of public knowledge that, now, Portugal has the Europe's largest shipbuilding facilities!
- Awesome!... Well, yes, sometimes I saw strange movements at the harbour, but...
- It isn' in the harbour proper! It is in the NEW harbour! The facilities are located outside the city, because Lisboa is getting larger and larger because of the trade. We wouldn't have enough space. And it has keept the secret. And with that Lisboa could plan its growing in an organizated, modern way.
- With this we can produce even more ships for our needs!
- And I have sent messangers to the omani, mamelukes and ottoman sovereigns to prevent them from piracy and attacks on our marine. We are alerted. They know that any atempt can mean WAR!
- Be carefull, be carefull...
2nd February: General Afonso de Albuquerque defeats the rebels in Zanzibar, losing no men.
6nd February: To avoid conflicts, an omani diplomat proposed a trade agreement. D. Manuel I, of course, refused. In the same day, Pedro Álvares Cabral and Brigadier Almeida leave to Brazil, without knowing they will discover new land.
12th May: D. Manuel I hires two brothers to command different exploring missions. Flotilla Admiral Miguel de Corte Real was sent behind Cabral, to better explore any lands that Cabral might discover. And Vice Admiral Gaspar de Corte Real was told to simply go west. D. Manuel I wants to reach the lands that, as he has news, Spain and Aragon are settling. It is no more secret for anyone that there are big lands on west!
1st June: Bartolomeu Dias died on a storm. He was exploring an island called Sri Lanka.
9th September: Cabral sees land. Almeida is ordered to land.
2nd October: Almeida landed. They called that area "Recife", as there were many reefs near the shores. He boards on the fleet and they head to Zanzibar.
Lisboa, 4th November, 1500 A.D.. The Royal Palace.
- Today I issue the colonial pact! - the king exclaims.
- And what do you call a "colonial pact"? - Araujo asks.
- As our overseas lands are growing in number, I need to enforce the control over their production. From now on the colonists can only sell things to Portugal and they can only buy things from Portugal!
- Too drastic, don't you think?
- Sometimes we need to see drastic to enforce our control on what we have. And, besides, what about the new westlands? - the king shows almost no interest. - Rather brave natives, poor climate... The Indies are richer!
- At least build some trading posts there, to ensure our control.
- I shall do that. No needing to send hundreds of settlers.
11th January, 1501: The opening of a new trading center in Seville, Spain, caused D. Manuel I to enforce his colonization and conquest plans. It is the signal that Spain is getting very rich with colonization. He orders Miguel de Corte Real to explore more of the lands that Cabral discovered.
30th June: Brigadier Almeida and Flotilla Admiral Pedro Álvares Cabral arrive in Zanzibar. On the same day, in Lisboa...
- Let the fun begin! - D. Manuel I smiled. - I sent orders for Brigadier Almeida to march with his troops into the reign of Mombasa!
- Why?
- I want to control not only the island of Zanzibar, but also the strait of Zanzibar! And Mobasa has no allies: it will be a piece of cake.
- Will you conquer Mombasa?
- No! I want to make their muslim, infidel leader to recognize me as his overlord!
And then the troops were organized. Brigadier Almeida (6412/2348) boarded the ships of Commodore De Camões and General Afonso de Albuquerque (5000/3000) stayed in the island, to prevent any more uprisings.
28th August: Almeida lands and besieges the capital, the city of Mombasa. He met no resistance on the shores. On the same day, De Camões destroyed the Mombasa's fleet, consisting on only two small galleys.
17th September: Brigadier Almeida defeats 3000 cavalry from Mombasa. It came from the countryside. He lost 1600 infantrymen and 407 cavalry in battle, but destoyed the Mombasa's army. On the same day, king D. Manuel I embargoed Mombasa.
Mombasa, 28th October, 1501 A.D.. Outside the walls.
- Soldiers! We succesfully destoyed their army, and De Camões also destoyed their navy! Now, they only have 2500 defenders into the walls. LET'S GO! Let's enter and destroy them! Take no prisioners! CCCCHHHHAAAAARRRRRGGGGEEEE!
After a quick assault, that costed less than 1000 men, the city was captured.
Mombasa, 17th November, 1501 A.D.. Near the barracks.
The only defender made prisioner was the sultan of Mombasa. He urges peace!
- Okay. You have peace - said Almeida - but you will recgonize king D. Manuel I as your overlord and soverign!
- No way!
- Wanna die? - he points his sword at the sultan.
- Excuse me, please! I agree! I shall pay tribute to D. Manuel I as a vassal!
One hour after...
- Rui Lourenço de Ravasco, you commanded brilliantly your company during the battle and the assault.
- No, I didn't! My company lost almost 800 men!
- But you were the main responsable for the victory. I have power to do that, and I shall do it: you are now promoted to Brigadier, just like me. Take your medals!
The army was sent back to Zanzibar.
20th October, 1502: Pedro Álvares Cabral died near what he thinks to be islands, south of Mahe. His ship hit a reef, sunk and he didn't manage to swim. After all, he was a nobleman, not a soldier or sailor!
19th April, 1503: Vasco da Gama discovers the city of Malacca. The king opens his eyes. He starts planning a war to take that commercial city. Spies report that there are many spice-producing lands east of Malacca!
7th September: Vice Admiral Gaspar de Corte Real died on a tropical storm near newly discovered spanish islands, far west from the Azores. His brother, Miguel, was sent to that area, to continue the exploration of Gaspar. In honour, D. Manuel I orders colonists to leave Portugal and settle on those lands discovered by Cabral, that Miguel named "Land of the Holy Cross".
11th November: The colonists found the colony of Diamentina. Reports are that they can extract high-quality wood there, which will reduce the portuguese dependency upon the north-european wood when building ships.
13th November: Flotilla Admiral Miguel de Corte Real died on the same place of his brother when fighting privateers.
Lisboa, 27th December, 1503 A.D.. The Royal Palace.
- King, reports from the former crew of Miguel de Corte Real tell us that he saw a french flag on one of the privateers! - Araujo exclaimed.
- No, don't worry, Araujo. If they are there, they should be targeting spanish ships. We didn't have to be there.
- But nothing forbids them to hire privateers on the Indies...
- If they do so, we show them our might. I'll send a letter to the king of France, telling him that, for now, I forgive his mistake, but I won't give up again if he does piracy in our seas!
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A note
For the readAARs that thought it is a little strange to only read a very, very brief description of the discovery of Brazil, I only want to tell that I planned to do this way!
No, I am kidding. Tomorrow comes a special chapter, just to take care of it. Thank you.
For the readAARs that thought it is a little strange to only read a very, very brief description of the discovery of Brazil, I only want to tell that I planned to do this way!
No, I am kidding. Tomorrow comes a special chapter, just to take care of it. Thank you.
Very nice...."Do you want to die?" "No, I would be happy to be a vassal!" I love that...great stuff, Anibal!
Special Chapter
The Discovery of Brazil, as Reported by a Mariner on Pedro Álvares Cabral's Fleet.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Lord, most catholic and holy king of the portuguese people, soverign of the portuguese and the beninese lands, sire of the United Kingdom of Portugal and Algarve, D. Manuel I "The Fortunate",
I, Pero Vaz, born in the county of Caminha, come on this letter to give you descriptions of the new found lands on our trip, head by Pedro Álvares Cabral, to the Indies. I ask your holy permission to do that, since I'm no important mariner of the crew. Many know me as Pero Vaz de Caminha.
In the year of our Lord of 1500, most precisely on the morning of the 6th day of February, seven large vessels led by the nobleman Pedro Álvares Cabral left the Tajo river in Portugal, and we headed to the Indies. More than six thousand troops, commanded by Brigadier Almeida, were onboard, as well as many colonists, priests, politicians, diplomats, all of them who would work in the Indies, and even some criminals to be left in some far away place.
And so we left the mother country. Among the seven large vessels were many small caravells, just for supplying or if we needed to flee fast. Hopefully we didn't have to until now. May God be on our side.
On the 25th day of April, we have reached our colonial city of Praia, in the Cape Verde islands. We landed and resupplied our ships for the upcomming long trip of ours. And then we started moving southwest, in order of both taking advantage of newly discovered waterstreams and to avoid the too becalmed sea along the African coast, that would delay our trip too much.
And then there were four months of nearly full boredom. Nothing too different as playing with packs of playing cards, dice and even some chess, while the time goes by. Even storms we didn't have!
And so, on the 9th day of September, when the sun started to shine, there were fows. There were birds. There were more fishes on the sea. There were some reefs as well, I must say. And then one saw a strange animal in the sea, with a big bark on its back. It swimmed very slowly. A mariner had the idea of calling it "turtle", and everybody accepted.
And then there was a mountain. Pedro Álvares Cabral, seeing it, shouted so loud:
- Land on sight!
I wasn't on his vessel, but I could hear it. And the, I saw it. I took a small boat to go to Cabral's vessel. Cabral started to look for a good harbour to anchorate the ships. Indeed, he found one. Took some hours for that. Cabral called that mountain The Manuelian Mount, in honor to you, lord. As it looked like to be an island, he called it Island of Vera Cross.
And then we landed. Landed me, Cabral, Almeida and some other members of the crew. There is a dense forrest there, but nothing as compared to the African forrests. Some strange fruits, many of them have a quite good tasting. Strange animals, hard to describe. The climate is hot, near as hot as in Lagos.
On the second day, at afternoon, there were three, four, five... about eight strange people. Brown, naked, they weared nothing to cover their ashamednesses. Some of them had arrows and a bow. They pointed at us, and one of the captain made a signal telling them to put it down. And they did it.
We tried to talk to them. Nobody understood. They have a very different language, an unknown language. Even one of the diplomats, who fluently speaks more than ten languages, didn't understand those people. Cabral had the idea of calling them "indians", as we were on a trip to the Indies.
And so, on a try to understand each other, we started to exchange gifts. First, we gave them an umbrella and an axe of bad quality. At least we knew they couldn't use it to kill one of us. And they gave us a kind of hat made of plumes. Only plumes. We gave them an old spanish guitar. They found it very strage, and then one of them picked it up and started to hit the strings. He saw he could play musics with it. And then, started to play the strings like mad. The indians rolled to the ground with laughter. They found its sound to be very funny, jocose. And then they gave us some different, brilliant stones. Mmmm... interesting.
It was geting late and we went back to the ships, to meet the indians next morning if we were lucky. And so we did, and so they appeared near the beach. It was the third day.
The same indians, with more four or five, were making a kind of ritual, singing and cooking a strange thing. They gave some for us in order to try. They called it manioc. There were some strange fruits as well, and they made fish on a very different way of they ways we use to cook. I must say: it is all delicious.
We tried to do the same. We took three of them and we went into the main vessel with them. But, prior to give them a little of our food, we started to show them some things from ours.
We showed them a golden candlestick. One of them pointed at it and then pointed at the land, making us understand that there is this kind of thing there. We showed Almeida's sword, made totally of silver. They pointed to the sword and then pointed to the land again.
We showed a parrot. They pointed at him and then to the land.
We showed a sheep. They didn't care.
We showed a chicken. At first they got feared. They didn't want to put their hands on her. But then one took courage, held the chicken and got feared again, giving it back to a mariner.
We showed a little dog. As it started to bark, they got very feared and wanted to run away, but then we hided the dog, it became quiet and their fear ran away on their places.
And then the food arrived. Some bread, cooked fish, cake, honey, fig, grapes. Most of them were put on the mounth and then thrown away. They didn't like any.
We brought each one a glass of wine from Oporto. They drank a little and thrown away. They made bad, very bad faces.
We gave them juice from african orange. This time they liked and asked for more, and we gave more. As result, we also gave them some oranges. A lot, in fact, as the sailors usually don't like this fruit.
After all this, they felt asleep and we allowed them to sleep. We gave them blankets, and they liked, but didn't know how to use. They ended up sleeping over the blankets. They didn't even care to cover their ashamednesses, which weren't hairy. Two hours later they waken up and wanted to go out of the vessel. We allowed, and stayed here.
And there comes the fourth day. In honour, the priests asked all the crew to go down the vessels to land. The natives there were really impressed, as more than seven thousand people were there. After all, how could this huge amount of people travel together from very far away?
One of the priests nailed a wooden cross on the ground. A large one, almost of the size of a man. He asked everyone to organize. A mass was then celebrated, in honour of this great event. Some indians even joined us, making some priests to think they were christian. But how could a christian walk naked everywere?
The indians became impressed with the cloths we weared. We tryied to make some of them wear, but they refused.
We have left the criminals among us abandoned on the shores, and then we went onboard. With the ships, we spent the whole month exploring the coast, when Cabral noticed: it isn't an island. It is more than an island! And then he renamed it. Now it is called Land of the Holy Cross.
In the second day of october our ships went back to Cape Verde to resupply, and from here I write you this letter. Tomorrow we are leaving to the Indies, and I hope the messanger is able to give you this letter at your hands.
This is the way that I tell Your Majesty about the newly discovered lands. I beg your pardon if I have extended this report too much, but those are the impressions acquired by me and most of the crew when we stayed there.
I kiss the hands of Your Highness.
From Praia, in the Cape Verde Islands, today, in the 18th day of December, in the year of our Lord of 1500.
Pero Vaz de Caminha
The Discovery of Brazil, as Reported by a Mariner on Pedro Álvares Cabral's Fleet.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Lord, most catholic and holy king of the portuguese people, soverign of the portuguese and the beninese lands, sire of the United Kingdom of Portugal and Algarve, D. Manuel I "The Fortunate",
I, Pero Vaz, born in the county of Caminha, come on this letter to give you descriptions of the new found lands on our trip, head by Pedro Álvares Cabral, to the Indies. I ask your holy permission to do that, since I'm no important mariner of the crew. Many know me as Pero Vaz de Caminha.
In the year of our Lord of 1500, most precisely on the morning of the 6th day of February, seven large vessels led by the nobleman Pedro Álvares Cabral left the Tajo river in Portugal, and we headed to the Indies. More than six thousand troops, commanded by Brigadier Almeida, were onboard, as well as many colonists, priests, politicians, diplomats, all of them who would work in the Indies, and even some criminals to be left in some far away place.
And so we left the mother country. Among the seven large vessels were many small caravells, just for supplying or if we needed to flee fast. Hopefully we didn't have to until now. May God be on our side.
On the 25th day of April, we have reached our colonial city of Praia, in the Cape Verde islands. We landed and resupplied our ships for the upcomming long trip of ours. And then we started moving southwest, in order of both taking advantage of newly discovered waterstreams and to avoid the too becalmed sea along the African coast, that would delay our trip too much.
And then there were four months of nearly full boredom. Nothing too different as playing with packs of playing cards, dice and even some chess, while the time goes by. Even storms we didn't have!
And so, on the 9th day of September, when the sun started to shine, there were fows. There were birds. There were more fishes on the sea. There were some reefs as well, I must say. And then one saw a strange animal in the sea, with a big bark on its back. It swimmed very slowly. A mariner had the idea of calling it "turtle", and everybody accepted.
And then there was a mountain. Pedro Álvares Cabral, seeing it, shouted so loud:
- Land on sight!
I wasn't on his vessel, but I could hear it. And the, I saw it. I took a small boat to go to Cabral's vessel. Cabral started to look for a good harbour to anchorate the ships. Indeed, he found one. Took some hours for that. Cabral called that mountain The Manuelian Mount, in honor to you, lord. As it looked like to be an island, he called it Island of Vera Cross.
And then we landed. Landed me, Cabral, Almeida and some other members of the crew. There is a dense forrest there, but nothing as compared to the African forrests. Some strange fruits, many of them have a quite good tasting. Strange animals, hard to describe. The climate is hot, near as hot as in Lagos.
On the second day, at afternoon, there were three, four, five... about eight strange people. Brown, naked, they weared nothing to cover their ashamednesses. Some of them had arrows and a bow. They pointed at us, and one of the captain made a signal telling them to put it down. And they did it.
We tried to talk to them. Nobody understood. They have a very different language, an unknown language. Even one of the diplomats, who fluently speaks more than ten languages, didn't understand those people. Cabral had the idea of calling them "indians", as we were on a trip to the Indies.
And so, on a try to understand each other, we started to exchange gifts. First, we gave them an umbrella and an axe of bad quality. At least we knew they couldn't use it to kill one of us. And they gave us a kind of hat made of plumes. Only plumes. We gave them an old spanish guitar. They found it very strage, and then one of them picked it up and started to hit the strings. He saw he could play musics with it. And then, started to play the strings like mad. The indians rolled to the ground with laughter. They found its sound to be very funny, jocose. And then they gave us some different, brilliant stones. Mmmm... interesting.
It was geting late and we went back to the ships, to meet the indians next morning if we were lucky. And so we did, and so they appeared near the beach. It was the third day.
The same indians, with more four or five, were making a kind of ritual, singing and cooking a strange thing. They gave some for us in order to try. They called it manioc. There were some strange fruits as well, and they made fish on a very different way of they ways we use to cook. I must say: it is all delicious.
We tried to do the same. We took three of them and we went into the main vessel with them. But, prior to give them a little of our food, we started to show them some things from ours.
We showed them a golden candlestick. One of them pointed at it and then pointed at the land, making us understand that there is this kind of thing there. We showed Almeida's sword, made totally of silver. They pointed to the sword and then pointed to the land again.
We showed a parrot. They pointed at him and then to the land.
We showed a sheep. They didn't care.
We showed a chicken. At first they got feared. They didn't want to put their hands on her. But then one took courage, held the chicken and got feared again, giving it back to a mariner.
We showed a little dog. As it started to bark, they got very feared and wanted to run away, but then we hided the dog, it became quiet and their fear ran away on their places.
And then the food arrived. Some bread, cooked fish, cake, honey, fig, grapes. Most of them were put on the mounth and then thrown away. They didn't like any.
We brought each one a glass of wine from Oporto. They drank a little and thrown away. They made bad, very bad faces.
We gave them juice from african orange. This time they liked and asked for more, and we gave more. As result, we also gave them some oranges. A lot, in fact, as the sailors usually don't like this fruit.
After all this, they felt asleep and we allowed them to sleep. We gave them blankets, and they liked, but didn't know how to use. They ended up sleeping over the blankets. They didn't even care to cover their ashamednesses, which weren't hairy. Two hours later they waken up and wanted to go out of the vessel. We allowed, and stayed here.
And there comes the fourth day. In honour, the priests asked all the crew to go down the vessels to land. The natives there were really impressed, as more than seven thousand people were there. After all, how could this huge amount of people travel together from very far away?
One of the priests nailed a wooden cross on the ground. A large one, almost of the size of a man. He asked everyone to organize. A mass was then celebrated, in honour of this great event. Some indians even joined us, making some priests to think they were christian. But how could a christian walk naked everywere?
The indians became impressed with the cloths we weared. We tryied to make some of them wear, but they refused.
We have left the criminals among us abandoned on the shores, and then we went onboard. With the ships, we spent the whole month exploring the coast, when Cabral noticed: it isn't an island. It is more than an island! And then he renamed it. Now it is called Land of the Holy Cross.
In the second day of october our ships went back to Cape Verde to resupply, and from here I write you this letter. Tomorrow we are leaving to the Indies, and I hope the messanger is able to give you this letter at your hands.
This is the way that I tell Your Majesty about the newly discovered lands. I beg your pardon if I have extended this report too much, but those are the impressions acquired by me and most of the crew when we stayed there.
I kiss the hands of Your Highness.
From Praia, in the Cape Verde Islands, today, in the 18th day of December, in the year of our Lord of 1500.
Pero Vaz de Caminha
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OH...I like it! Great update...scared of a dog and a chicken...doesn't bode well for the natives, does it?
Chapter V, part IV
Chapter V, part III
King Manuel I (October/1495 - December/1521)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Lisboa, 3rd February, 1504 A.D.. The Royal Palace.
D. Manuel I has a talk with Araujo about new planned conquests.
- No, I don't plan war against Malacca too soon.
- Are you going to quit your plans there? - Araujo asked. - You know, spies report that there are many spice-procucing islands east of Malacca!
- I have better plans... - he smiles.
- Which ones?
- First, Calcutta. I want to free that rich trading city from bengali rule. They are pagan people under "protection" of a muslim sultan! The muslims must have a lesson, and I will teach them. - D. Manuel calls pagan anyone who isn't christian, jewish or muslim.
- Are you planning the war to start right now?
- No, because we haven't enough troops yet. I'm ordering new recruitments in our colonies in the Cape of Good Hope in order to reinforce our army in Zanzibar. On the second half of next year we shall be ready.
- Nice point. If we do it, we need to do with more troops! And... a second plan?
- Yes, I was almost forgeting. Spies reported rich gold mines inside the lands of Zimbabwe...
- So probably it will be our next target, right?
- Yes. And then, after them, Malacca. We need that gold! We need funds to finance our wars! You know, troops are much more expansive for us than ships... and we still need to keep their quality high. If wasn't for that, we would have never conquered Zanzibar and Mombasa.
7th July, 1505: Vice Admiral Vasco da Gama discovers two islands south of Mahe. They call them Mauritius and Bourbon, in honor of two experienced capitains on his crew. They noticed that sugar can be produced there. D. Manuel I orders trading posts to be built. This time, war is more important than colonizing.
28th September: The army is ready. Brigadier Almeida (13837/1897) boards on the 16 Vasco da Gama's warships. He orders General Afonso de Albuquerque and Brigadier Rui Lourenço Ravasco to stay in Zanzibar with (3000/3000), in order to avoid revolts.
5th January, 1506: An skirmish. As expected, the zanzibarian revolted. More than 1000 men under Rui Lourenço Ravasco die, and he also died on battle. The same day, the portuguese Vice Admiral Tristão da Cunha takes command of the flotilla there and goes exploring near Malacca.
Bengali capital, 18th January, 1507 A.D.. On the Palace of Sultan Ala-ud-Din Hussain Shah.
- Sir, a messager from Portugal brought us a declaration of war.
- Portugal? Where is Portugal? - the sultan asks.
- Portugal is in the far west of Europe. You know Europe, right?
- I've never been there but already heard about it.
- Portugal is a christian nation that, some hundred years ago, conquered former muslim lands and stablished himself on those lands, expelling the muslims from there.
- What a hell! They harmed the one-true faith! May Allah forgive me about this, but I shall lead my army personally against the portuguese! I shall drive them back to the sea!
Bengali ally, Gujarat, honoured their alliance. Portugal didn't call Venice for help, as the venetians don't know where Bengal or even the Indies are.
On the same day, on Vasco da Gama's fleet...
- Soldiers, the time of our glory has begun. Let's punish those muslims! Let drive them out of Calcutta and let ourselves protect them from the muslims! - Brigadier Almeida talks to the soldiers. - Let's bring those lands to the glory of Portugal!
- For Portugal! For God! For King Manuel! For our glory! - the soldiers sing together.
And the army landed near Calcutta, meeting no resistance.
Calcutta, 15th February, 1506 A.D.. Outside the walls of the city.
Brigadier Almeida talks to one of his spies.
- Sire, I found that the city is poorly defended inside the walls.
- What do you mean by poorly defended? - Almeida asks.
- About 5 thousand men poorly armed only with spears. We have more than 13 thousand soldiers, but armed with high-quality pikes and swords, and well armoured as well. I bet that we can gain the city after a quick assault, aided by naval bombarding!
- So, let's do it. - Almeida turns to the soldiers that he can see. - Let's invade the walls at any cost! They are poorly armed! Full strenght! Let's go, we have no time to lose!
The battle for Calcutta took six days to end. As predicted, Almeida lost so few soldiers. Now the city is on christian hands. On next day, Bengal and Gujarati were embargoed.
25th February: Vasco da Gama (16/0/0) defeats (7/0/2) ships. No bengali ships were sunk, as they got feared when they saw the portuguese cannons firering at Calcutta form the ships and putting the city in flames. They simply fled away.
1st March: Almeida starts marching to unknown bengali lands west of Calcutta, called Howrah.
14th May: Almeida (13755/1881) greatly defeats bengali army (12751/5382) near Calcutta, led by sultan Ala-ud-Din Hussain Shah. He was made prisioner.
25th May: Almeida (13013/1733) besieges Howrah.
On the same day... Almeida meets the prisioner sultan.
- Do you see what we are doing now? - Almeida shouts. - Look at the sea. There are sixteen ships commanded by Vice Admiral Vasco da Gama, and they are heavily equiped with cannons. And what are they doing? Look at it yourself! They are throwing cannonballs in the direction of the city of Howrah and the walls! And what does a cannonball do? It destroys walls. Destroys buildings. It also lits fire when it reachs their targets! Look at it yourself!
Ala-ud-Din Hussain Shah is really fearing the portuguese navy. He have never seen cannons, and couldn't imagine that ships could ever bombard cities!
- I sue for peace, Brigadier. I offer you four ducats in exchange.
- FOUR DUCATS? Are you crazy? I want the city of Calcutta!
- If you don't want my ducats, you will have to face the mighty of my troops!
- Ha ha ha ha ha... they only use poor spears! Look at our swords, our pikes, our armors! - Almeida laughs. - You shall give me Calcutta!
- No, I won't.
Almeida hit the sultan in his head with a closed hand. The sultan fell to the ground and didn't wake up for two whole hours.
- This shall teach you a lesson...
30th July: Almeida (12793/1689) brilliantly defeats (21774/1973) near Howrah, losing almost no men. Those bengali soldiers were really poorly trained and armed.
After the battle...
- You see, sultan? - Almeida shouts. - You don't have quality in your troops! In your weapons!
- Allah will take care of you... your heathen! Your infidel!
Almeida takes his sword and points at the sultan's throat.
- Talk it again! Talk it again! Don't you have that f***ing Allah in your side? Show him! Show him! Show him!
- Your heathen! Your infidel! May Allah feel sorry for you... Your heretic!
- Did you call me heretic? - he presses the sword even more, but he wants the sultan alive to see the fallen of Howrah. - No problem. The muslims have renegated Jesus Christ! You shall pay for being muslim!
He started to kick, to blow, to hit the sultan in every way, until the sultan had another collapse.
29th October: Reports tell us that 15 thousand men from Gujarat are besieging Calcutta.
7th November: Vasco da Gama (16/0/0) defeats (7/0/2) ships from Bengal, sinking (3/0/0).
22th November: There was a big battle near the walls of Howrah. More than 18 thousand gujarati troops - better prepared than the bengali - against Almeida's army. The gujarati retreated after losing half of their men. Now Almeida has (8163/763) men. He asks for reinforcements, as he feels he won't hold his position for too long.
After the battle, Almeida joined the around 200 gujarati soldiers taken as prisioners. What did he do? He simply lit fire to them, burning them alive. There was celebration among the portuguese soldiers.
- Do you see what we do with muslim people? We burn them alive!
- Your... your... - as the sultan starts to talk, Almeida showed him some oil used for burning things. The sultan sighs.
- Look at the city of Howrah! Look at all the damage that my navy made! The city is completly in flames! It will soon surrender for our forces. Give me the city of Calcutta! - Almeida lets some oil "accidently" drop and cover the sultan. He takes two fire-liting stones and starts to make friction with them. Small flames appear on the stones.
- No, no, no! Don't burn me! - the sultan supplicates. - I give up! I give up! You showed to be far more superior than me and my troops!
- So...
- May Calcutta be ruled by portuguese! - he proposed.
- Well... I accept. I only accept since I don't want to waste all my troops conquering your whole nation and making you my puppet. Go away, go back to your palace, your troops, whatever you want. And take this with you... - he gives the sultan a bible, written in arabic. - It is a "gift".
The sultan goes away. He waits until he is very far away from the portuguese in order to throw that "gift" away.
Chapter V, part III
King Manuel I (October/1495 - December/1521)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Lisboa, 3rd February, 1504 A.D.. The Royal Palace.
D. Manuel I has a talk with Araujo about new planned conquests.
- No, I don't plan war against Malacca too soon.
- Are you going to quit your plans there? - Araujo asked. - You know, spies report that there are many spice-procucing islands east of Malacca!
- I have better plans... - he smiles.
- Which ones?
- First, Calcutta. I want to free that rich trading city from bengali rule. They are pagan people under "protection" of a muslim sultan! The muslims must have a lesson, and I will teach them. - D. Manuel calls pagan anyone who isn't christian, jewish or muslim.
- Are you planning the war to start right now?
- No, because we haven't enough troops yet. I'm ordering new recruitments in our colonies in the Cape of Good Hope in order to reinforce our army in Zanzibar. On the second half of next year we shall be ready.
- Nice point. If we do it, we need to do with more troops! And... a second plan?
- Yes, I was almost forgeting. Spies reported rich gold mines inside the lands of Zimbabwe...
- So probably it will be our next target, right?
- Yes. And then, after them, Malacca. We need that gold! We need funds to finance our wars! You know, troops are much more expansive for us than ships... and we still need to keep their quality high. If wasn't for that, we would have never conquered Zanzibar and Mombasa.
7th July, 1505: Vice Admiral Vasco da Gama discovers two islands south of Mahe. They call them Mauritius and Bourbon, in honor of two experienced capitains on his crew. They noticed that sugar can be produced there. D. Manuel I orders trading posts to be built. This time, war is more important than colonizing.
28th September: The army is ready. Brigadier Almeida (13837/1897) boards on the 16 Vasco da Gama's warships. He orders General Afonso de Albuquerque and Brigadier Rui Lourenço Ravasco to stay in Zanzibar with (3000/3000), in order to avoid revolts.
5th January, 1506: An skirmish. As expected, the zanzibarian revolted. More than 1000 men under Rui Lourenço Ravasco die, and he also died on battle. The same day, the portuguese Vice Admiral Tristão da Cunha takes command of the flotilla there and goes exploring near Malacca.
Bengali capital, 18th January, 1507 A.D.. On the Palace of Sultan Ala-ud-Din Hussain Shah.
- Sir, a messager from Portugal brought us a declaration of war.
- Portugal? Where is Portugal? - the sultan asks.
- Portugal is in the far west of Europe. You know Europe, right?
- I've never been there but already heard about it.
- Portugal is a christian nation that, some hundred years ago, conquered former muslim lands and stablished himself on those lands, expelling the muslims from there.
- What a hell! They harmed the one-true faith! May Allah forgive me about this, but I shall lead my army personally against the portuguese! I shall drive them back to the sea!
Bengali ally, Gujarat, honoured their alliance. Portugal didn't call Venice for help, as the venetians don't know where Bengal or even the Indies are.
On the same day, on Vasco da Gama's fleet...
- Soldiers, the time of our glory has begun. Let's punish those muslims! Let drive them out of Calcutta and let ourselves protect them from the muslims! - Brigadier Almeida talks to the soldiers. - Let's bring those lands to the glory of Portugal!
- For Portugal! For God! For King Manuel! For our glory! - the soldiers sing together.
And the army landed near Calcutta, meeting no resistance.
Calcutta, 15th February, 1506 A.D.. Outside the walls of the city.
Brigadier Almeida talks to one of his spies.
- Sire, I found that the city is poorly defended inside the walls.
- What do you mean by poorly defended? - Almeida asks.
- About 5 thousand men poorly armed only with spears. We have more than 13 thousand soldiers, but armed with high-quality pikes and swords, and well armoured as well. I bet that we can gain the city after a quick assault, aided by naval bombarding!
- So, let's do it. - Almeida turns to the soldiers that he can see. - Let's invade the walls at any cost! They are poorly armed! Full strenght! Let's go, we have no time to lose!
The battle for Calcutta took six days to end. As predicted, Almeida lost so few soldiers. Now the city is on christian hands. On next day, Bengal and Gujarati were embargoed.
25th February: Vasco da Gama (16/0/0) defeats (7/0/2) ships. No bengali ships were sunk, as they got feared when they saw the portuguese cannons firering at Calcutta form the ships and putting the city in flames. They simply fled away.
1st March: Almeida starts marching to unknown bengali lands west of Calcutta, called Howrah.
14th May: Almeida (13755/1881) greatly defeats bengali army (12751/5382) near Calcutta, led by sultan Ala-ud-Din Hussain Shah. He was made prisioner.
25th May: Almeida (13013/1733) besieges Howrah.
On the same day... Almeida meets the prisioner sultan.
- Do you see what we are doing now? - Almeida shouts. - Look at the sea. There are sixteen ships commanded by Vice Admiral Vasco da Gama, and they are heavily equiped with cannons. And what are they doing? Look at it yourself! They are throwing cannonballs in the direction of the city of Howrah and the walls! And what does a cannonball do? It destroys walls. Destroys buildings. It also lits fire when it reachs their targets! Look at it yourself!
Ala-ud-Din Hussain Shah is really fearing the portuguese navy. He have never seen cannons, and couldn't imagine that ships could ever bombard cities!
- I sue for peace, Brigadier. I offer you four ducats in exchange.
- FOUR DUCATS? Are you crazy? I want the city of Calcutta!
- If you don't want my ducats, you will have to face the mighty of my troops!
- Ha ha ha ha ha... they only use poor spears! Look at our swords, our pikes, our armors! - Almeida laughs. - You shall give me Calcutta!
- No, I won't.
Almeida hit the sultan in his head with a closed hand. The sultan fell to the ground and didn't wake up for two whole hours.
- This shall teach you a lesson...
30th July: Almeida (12793/1689) brilliantly defeats (21774/1973) near Howrah, losing almost no men. Those bengali soldiers were really poorly trained and armed.
After the battle...
- You see, sultan? - Almeida shouts. - You don't have quality in your troops! In your weapons!
- Allah will take care of you... your heathen! Your infidel!
Almeida takes his sword and points at the sultan's throat.
- Talk it again! Talk it again! Don't you have that f***ing Allah in your side? Show him! Show him! Show him!
- Your heathen! Your infidel! May Allah feel sorry for you... Your heretic!
- Did you call me heretic? - he presses the sword even more, but he wants the sultan alive to see the fallen of Howrah. - No problem. The muslims have renegated Jesus Christ! You shall pay for being muslim!
He started to kick, to blow, to hit the sultan in every way, until the sultan had another collapse.
29th October: Reports tell us that 15 thousand men from Gujarat are besieging Calcutta.
7th November: Vasco da Gama (16/0/0) defeats (7/0/2) ships from Bengal, sinking (3/0/0).
22th November: There was a big battle near the walls of Howrah. More than 18 thousand gujarati troops - better prepared than the bengali - against Almeida's army. The gujarati retreated after losing half of their men. Now Almeida has (8163/763) men. He asks for reinforcements, as he feels he won't hold his position for too long.
After the battle, Almeida joined the around 200 gujarati soldiers taken as prisioners. What did he do? He simply lit fire to them, burning them alive. There was celebration among the portuguese soldiers.
- Do you see what we do with muslim people? We burn them alive!
- Your... your... - as the sultan starts to talk, Almeida showed him some oil used for burning things. The sultan sighs.
- Look at the city of Howrah! Look at all the damage that my navy made! The city is completly in flames! It will soon surrender for our forces. Give me the city of Calcutta! - Almeida lets some oil "accidently" drop and cover the sultan. He takes two fire-liting stones and starts to make friction with them. Small flames appear on the stones.
- No, no, no! Don't burn me! - the sultan supplicates. - I give up! I give up! You showed to be far more superior than me and my troops!
- So...
- May Calcutta be ruled by portuguese! - he proposed.
- Well... I accept. I only accept since I don't want to waste all my troops conquering your whole nation and making you my puppet. Go away, go back to your palace, your troops, whatever you want. And take this with you... - he gives the sultan a bible, written in arabic. - It is a "gift".
The sultan goes away. He waits until he is very far away from the portuguese in order to throw that "gift" away.
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Burning the infidel! harsh...but they deserved it. Very nice update, and having DaGama there as admiral is something kind of interesting. Good stuff....and a nice rich CoT to boot!
Amric, Joe, thank you all for reading!
I'm getting too busy nowadays, as the classes on the university went back, and also my scientific researches and my german, french and esperanto classes. My AAR will continue to the end, but I'm having to slow it down.
I have just played to write the next chapter. Expect it until more or less 13:00 GMT. And then, Joe, you will see if my plans lie on Farther Wast, India, Africa, Brazil, or wherever it might be.
I like when people reply to my AAR, but would also like constructive criticism on it. As this is my first story in my whole life (don't count the MP AAR), I would be pleased.
I'm getting too busy nowadays, as the classes on the university went back, and also my scientific researches and my german, french and esperanto classes. My AAR will continue to the end, but I'm having to slow it down.
I have just played to write the next chapter. Expect it until more or less 13:00 GMT. And then, Joe, you will see if my plans lie on Farther Wast, India, Africa, Brazil, or wherever it might be.
I like when people reply to my AAR, but would also like constructive criticism on it. As this is my first story in my whole life (don't count the MP AAR
), I would be pleased.
Chapter V, part IV
Chapter V, part IV
King Manuel I (October/1495 - December/1521)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
September 2nd, 1507: The portuguese scientists in Angoche, Senegal, where a weapons manufactory is located, develop a new kind of weapon. It is very similar to the cannons we use on our ships, but they were adapted to be used by the armies. A nice gun for aiding sieges, they think. They name it Artillery.
26th June, 1508: Colonists found a colony in the Zambezia area, as it was called by the former natives there. Only to angry the muslim nations in east Africa, they name it Malindi, the same name of a muslim nation there.
On the same day, in Zanzibar...
General Afonso de Albuquerque meets his 14 thousand soldiers.
- You were waiting for that, weren't you? Would you like gold?
- Yes! - they shouted all together.
- Would you like to have your own slaves?
- Yes!
- Would you like to crush some infidels? Some "pagan" infidels?
- Yes!
- So, today we are leaving to our new colony, Malindi. It borders the kingdom of Zimbabwe. Would you like to know what they have? They have big gold mines! And we shall use them as our slaves!
The soldiers celebrated. The same day, Albuquerque boards on the navy with his troops and heads to Malindi.
23th September: War was declared. King D. Manuel I doesn't call Venice for help, again. The portuguese soldiers head to the province of Sofala.
29th October: Albuquerque destroys a whole zimbabwean division of seven thousand infantry. He besieges Sofala.
13th December: With 8696/1370 troops, Albuquerque quickly assaulted and took Sofala. He heads to the capital.
4th January, 1509: A colonial soldier in the the colony of Diamentina is promoted to the General status. He gets 1000 volunteers and wants to explore the new Land of the Holy Cross' insides. His name is Correos. To aid him, D. Manuel I orders a new cavalry division to be recruited in Cape Verde and brought there.
12th January: Albuquerque takes the capital after a quick assault. He heads now to an undiscovered province east of the capital.
Lisboa, 8th April, 1509 A.D.. The Royal Palace.
- King, you have a message from Tristão da Cunha. - the messanger leaves.
The king opens it.
"Highness, I am most pleased to tell you of my new discoveries. Have you heard of Marco Polo, who visited a rich, very rich country far, too far east, named China? A too rich and also very advanced country, more advanced than any country in Europe. So... I found it! It is east of the straits of Malacca. It is very, very big. They have a huge army, a nice navy and very rich provinces and centers of trade. And yes, they are pagans."
The portuguese still can't differ from paganism, hinduism, budhism and confucianism.
- If they have a huge army, let's raise our funds and armies before wanting to conquer them! - Araujo advices.
- Of course. Let's keep our war agains the zimbabwean in order to take those gold mines and expand in the Indian Ocean. We'll be rich enough after that to battle anyone!
Province of Rozwi, Zimbabwe, 18th July, 1509 A.D..
General Afonso de Albuquerque, with 7336/1098 troops, sights the enemy troops.
- How many do you think they are? - He asks to a colonel.
- Well... Mmm... They still didn't see us, because we have a better position. Let me count... one, two, three... twenty-two thousand!
- We barely have eight thousand... Colonel, we shall retreat to Sofala. Although we have better weapons and armors, I think they have even more than those soldiers. They can get us unprepared. And take a message to our colonial governors in the Cape of Good Hope. Tell them to recruit new divisions! We need reinforcements!
- As you with. Wise decision, I must say.
And then, Albuquerque retrats to Sofala with his army before engaging the zimbabwean in combat.
Next day... Lisboa...
The king has a meeting with the Catholic Kings of Spain, Isabella of Castille and Fernando of Aragon. The spanish kings don't know that Portugal has already colonized in the westlands.
- ...and so, by our treaty, everthing east of the Canaries, excluding the Canaries, shall be considered Portuguese by right, and everything west of them, excluding The Azores, shall be considered Spanish by right. It's good to know that the Pope has approved this partition of the New World, the partition of the new discovered lands! - Isabella states.
- This isn't right. Well, I accept, but I'd rather change our demarcation line. - D. Manuel also states.
- To which one? - Isabella asks. King Fernando isn't as smart as Isabella. He is more a soldier than a true king. Isabella is the one who really rules Spain.
- Let's put it 350 leagues west of Cape Verde, but leaving the Canaries with you. I also want to have a share on the westlands discovered by you!
- Well... I agree. I don't want to hurt relation with you - Isabella aproves. - So, be it. Everything discovered west from that line is Spanish and everything discovered east from that line is Portuguese by right!
And then they signed, with the Pope's approval, the Treaty of Tordesillas, splitting the world between them.
Two days later...
A venetian diplomat arrives at the royal palace.
- Highness, the ottoman turks have declared war on my country. Are you going to support us?
- Yes, of course!
And then the navy was ordered to be ready, and also the portuguese army at Alexandria. His attentions are locked more on the african war than on the turkish. He can't waste soldiers. He doesn't want to send his soldiers to battle the turks, but shall destroy their navy!
So, a part of the navy was ordered to block the Gibraltar Strait, to prevent the turks from reaching the portuguese mainland. Another part was told to protect the Alexandrine harbour, and two fleets will blockade the turkish ports and hunt their navy.
- Those idiot infidels... they never learn...
9th October: Correos discovers gold mines in a place called Alagoas. The king is most pleased! As those lands are big, and are plenty of good ship's wood called brazilian-wood by some mariners, he names the land. In stead of being known as Land of the Holy Cross, he names it simply Brazil. He wants to save some funds in order to colonize those new gold mines!
10th December: Correos discovers more gold. As there were gold, diamonds and other valuable minerals, he names that area "mines in general", or Minas Gerais. The king finally pays attention to the brazillian potential.
11th December: Commodore Bezerra, with 10 warships, destroys a 5-galleys turkish flotilla near the island of Rhodes. The turkish have old and small galleys. The portuguese have new and big vessels armed with cannons!
11th January, 1510: Commodore Bezerra (10/0/0) defeats (5/7/2) turkish ships near Crete, sinking (3/3/1) of them. He finally sees better turkish ships, although none of them have cannons. They simply try to approach the portuguese ships and "land" their soldiers on them. So silly...
18th January: With new reinforcements, Albuquerque, now with more than 15 thousand soldiers, assaults and takes the zimbabwean province of Nembire. He has reports that they are besieging their capital.
Ionian sea, 12th February, 1510 A.D..
Commodore De Mota wants intelligence information on the approaching turkish fleet. He talks to an experienced mariner.
- Well... we have ten warships. I can see eight turkish warships and twenty-seven galleys. Some turkish ships have catapults on them, but nothing compared to our cannons. This reminds me one thing...
- Which one? - De Mota asks.
- The turkish Admiral Kelmar Reis may be leading that fleet. He is known as a very experienced mariner, and some even compare him to Vasco da Gama!
- I don't fear. I don't retreat. I shall stay here! We shall fight him! It's better to fight him soon, so we can cause them a heavy defeat of their navy!
And then the battle started. It lasted three whole weeks. With his catapults, Kelmar Reis manages to sink two portuguese warships. Their soldiers capture a third one. De Mota's ship was also hit by a catapult shot. Was greatly damaged, but wasn't sunk. The portuguese ships manage to sink 11 turkish galleys and 5 warships. De Mota has news that Kelmar Reis is alive and that he is retreating with his fleet. Victory!
- May them learn... we greatly defeated their navy. They might be so hurt now to make any damage to the venetian islands. Let's ressuply and repair my ship!
18th April: Seven thousand zimbabwean soldiers cross the Limpopo river from Chimbuene to reach Sofala. The portuguese army waited for them... they were decimated with minimum damage to the portuguese army.
26th April: Vasco da Gama died with a heart attack on the chinese coast. His body was sent back to Portugal, to be buried with military honours. D. Manuel I orders a statue of him to be built in the old harbour, just beside the statue of D'Évora, to remind everyone of his conquests.
17th November: After a quick assault, Albuquerque takes the province of Rozwi, in the same place that he could have his army destroyed by the zimbabweans. Now he heads to Chimbuene.
On the same day, in Lisboa...
- Majesty, I'm pleased that you signed a white peace with the turks.
- Yes. We greatly destroyed their navy, and we lowered the reputation of Kelmar Reis. This is enough! And the venetians already have the upper hand in the war, so the turkish army isn't a problem to them.
Lisboa, 2nd December, 1510 A.D.. The Royal Palace.
The king receives a venetian diplomat.
- My republic has declared war against Austria. Their allies Milan, Tyrol, Genoa, Hessen, Cologne, England and the Pope have joined their war. I come here to ask you to honour our alliance.
- NO WAY I'M GONNA FIGHT THE POPE! - He shouts. - Go away! You... you... you HEATHEN! Infidel! Heretic!
- I was only having my obligation...
- Infidel! Guards, enjail him! It doesn't matter if my friend, WHAT?, my ENEMY dodge has ordered you to do this. Asking me to fight the pope is heresy! The Holy Inquisition shall take care of you... bastard...
Three important events mark the next day.
First: D. Manuel I joined the spanish alliance, along with Aragon, France and Zapotec. Zapotec? A westland nation, maybe. They are at war against Maya. Maya? Maybe neighbours of the Zapotec. Manuel honours the alliance, only because he feels he needs spanish protection. Europe is getting into flames because of the venetian wars, and he needs to protect his kingdom.
Second: That venetian diplomat was burned alive in public square in Lisboa downtown. The king himself lit fire on him. The people greatly celebrated. One less infidel in the world!
Third: Manuel sends a diplomatic insult to the dodge. He also states: "If you keep on fighting the pope, your merchants will never be welcomed on Lisboa or Alexandria. And you shall feel my wrath... my wrath, the spanish wrath, the french wrath and the aragonese wrath. We won't overlook it."
1st February, 1511: The trade agreement with the venetians was cancelled.
26th March, 1511: General Albuquerque assaults and takes Chimbuene. The next day, the zimbabwean army takes their capital back and march eastwards.
2nd April: Albuquerque receives new weapons. Strange, or at least curious. They can throw bullets and explode the enemy. He names it arquebus. He heads to the capital.
5th April: Venice now suffers from a portuguese trade embargo.
26th June: Some rich spanish merchants gift D. Manuel with 200 ducats, telling him it was a gift from the Spanish kings. D. Manuel plans to use the gift to fund new colonies in Brazil and in the Indies.
2nd August: The muslims in Zanzibar are revolting! Brigadier Almeida was ordered to leave Calcutta to fight the 11 thousand rebels there.
10th September: Albuquerque besieges the capital again. He awaits reinforcements.
15th October: The colonies of Rio de Janeiro (Salvador province) and Pernambuc were founded. They can produce sugar cane there!
3rd January, 1512: Almeida easily defeats the rebels. On the same day, the colony of Boa Vista was founded in the island of Bourbon.
27th January: The capital fell after an assault when the reinforcements arrived. Peace was signed, and Portugal annexed the whole country. Almeida now also has command of the zimbabwean army. He commands over 45 thousand soldiers!
On next day, in the royal palace...
- Did you see it, Araujo? Now we have gold! We have enough slaves to work on our sugar-producing colonies!
- This is good, lord... but I'm concerned. Our army is so big now that it is really draining our resources!
- Troops are very expansive. We can't simply disband them. Do you know how much does it costs to recruit an infantry division? Over 14 ducats. Do you know how much does it costs to recruit a cavalry division? Over 32 ducats!
- So...
- We are going to use the troops soon, very soon...
Chapter V, part IV
King Manuel I (October/1495 - December/1521)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
September 2nd, 1507: The portuguese scientists in Angoche, Senegal, where a weapons manufactory is located, develop a new kind of weapon. It is very similar to the cannons we use on our ships, but they were adapted to be used by the armies. A nice gun for aiding sieges, they think. They name it Artillery.
26th June, 1508: Colonists found a colony in the Zambezia area, as it was called by the former natives there. Only to angry the muslim nations in east Africa, they name it Malindi, the same name of a muslim nation there.
On the same day, in Zanzibar...
General Afonso de Albuquerque meets his 14 thousand soldiers.
- You were waiting for that, weren't you? Would you like gold?
- Yes! - they shouted all together.
- Would you like to have your own slaves?
- Yes!
- Would you like to crush some infidels? Some "pagan" infidels?
- Yes!
- So, today we are leaving to our new colony, Malindi. It borders the kingdom of Zimbabwe. Would you like to know what they have? They have big gold mines! And we shall use them as our slaves!
The soldiers celebrated. The same day, Albuquerque boards on the navy with his troops and heads to Malindi.
23th September: War was declared. King D. Manuel I doesn't call Venice for help, again. The portuguese soldiers head to the province of Sofala.
29th October: Albuquerque destroys a whole zimbabwean division of seven thousand infantry. He besieges Sofala.
13th December: With 8696/1370 troops, Albuquerque quickly assaulted and took Sofala. He heads to the capital.
4th January, 1509: A colonial soldier in the the colony of Diamentina is promoted to the General status. He gets 1000 volunteers and wants to explore the new Land of the Holy Cross' insides. His name is Correos. To aid him, D. Manuel I orders a new cavalry division to be recruited in Cape Verde and brought there.
12th January: Albuquerque takes the capital after a quick assault. He heads now to an undiscovered province east of the capital.
Lisboa, 8th April, 1509 A.D.. The Royal Palace.
- King, you have a message from Tristão da Cunha. - the messanger leaves.
The king opens it.
"Highness, I am most pleased to tell you of my new discoveries. Have you heard of Marco Polo, who visited a rich, very rich country far, too far east, named China? A too rich and also very advanced country, more advanced than any country in Europe. So... I found it! It is east of the straits of Malacca. It is very, very big. They have a huge army, a nice navy and very rich provinces and centers of trade. And yes, they are pagans."
The portuguese still can't differ from paganism, hinduism, budhism and confucianism.
- If they have a huge army, let's raise our funds and armies before wanting to conquer them! - Araujo advices.
- Of course. Let's keep our war agains the zimbabwean in order to take those gold mines and expand in the Indian Ocean. We'll be rich enough after that to battle anyone!
Province of Rozwi, Zimbabwe, 18th July, 1509 A.D..
General Afonso de Albuquerque, with 7336/1098 troops, sights the enemy troops.
- How many do you think they are? - He asks to a colonel.
- Well... Mmm... They still didn't see us, because we have a better position. Let me count... one, two, three... twenty-two thousand!
- We barely have eight thousand... Colonel, we shall retreat to Sofala. Although we have better weapons and armors, I think they have even more than those soldiers. They can get us unprepared. And take a message to our colonial governors in the Cape of Good Hope. Tell them to recruit new divisions! We need reinforcements!
- As you with. Wise decision, I must say.
And then, Albuquerque retrats to Sofala with his army before engaging the zimbabwean in combat.
Next day... Lisboa...
The king has a meeting with the Catholic Kings of Spain, Isabella of Castille and Fernando of Aragon. The spanish kings don't know that Portugal has already colonized in the westlands.
- ...and so, by our treaty, everthing east of the Canaries, excluding the Canaries, shall be considered Portuguese by right, and everything west of them, excluding The Azores, shall be considered Spanish by right. It's good to know that the Pope has approved this partition of the New World, the partition of the new discovered lands! - Isabella states.
- This isn't right. Well, I accept, but I'd rather change our demarcation line. - D. Manuel also states.
- To which one? - Isabella asks. King Fernando isn't as smart as Isabella. He is more a soldier than a true king. Isabella is the one who really rules Spain.
- Let's put it 350 leagues west of Cape Verde, but leaving the Canaries with you. I also want to have a share on the westlands discovered by you!
- Well... I agree. I don't want to hurt relation with you - Isabella aproves. - So, be it. Everything discovered west from that line is Spanish and everything discovered east from that line is Portuguese by right!
And then they signed, with the Pope's approval, the Treaty of Tordesillas, splitting the world between them.
Two days later...
A venetian diplomat arrives at the royal palace.
- Highness, the ottoman turks have declared war on my country. Are you going to support us?
- Yes, of course!
And then the navy was ordered to be ready, and also the portuguese army at Alexandria. His attentions are locked more on the african war than on the turkish. He can't waste soldiers. He doesn't want to send his soldiers to battle the turks, but shall destroy their navy!
So, a part of the navy was ordered to block the Gibraltar Strait, to prevent the turks from reaching the portuguese mainland. Another part was told to protect the Alexandrine harbour, and two fleets will blockade the turkish ports and hunt their navy.
- Those idiot infidels... they never learn...
9th October: Correos discovers gold mines in a place called Alagoas. The king is most pleased! As those lands are big, and are plenty of good ship's wood called brazilian-wood by some mariners, he names the land. In stead of being known as Land of the Holy Cross, he names it simply Brazil. He wants to save some funds in order to colonize those new gold mines!
10th December: Correos discovers more gold. As there were gold, diamonds and other valuable minerals, he names that area "mines in general", or Minas Gerais. The king finally pays attention to the brazillian potential.
11th December: Commodore Bezerra, with 10 warships, destroys a 5-galleys turkish flotilla near the island of Rhodes. The turkish have old and small galleys. The portuguese have new and big vessels armed with cannons!
11th January, 1510: Commodore Bezerra (10/0/0) defeats (5/7/2) turkish ships near Crete, sinking (3/3/1) of them. He finally sees better turkish ships, although none of them have cannons. They simply try to approach the portuguese ships and "land" their soldiers on them. So silly...
18th January: With new reinforcements, Albuquerque, now with more than 15 thousand soldiers, assaults and takes the zimbabwean province of Nembire. He has reports that they are besieging their capital.
Ionian sea, 12th February, 1510 A.D..
Commodore De Mota wants intelligence information on the approaching turkish fleet. He talks to an experienced mariner.
- Well... we have ten warships. I can see eight turkish warships and twenty-seven galleys. Some turkish ships have catapults on them, but nothing compared to our cannons. This reminds me one thing...
- Which one? - De Mota asks.
- The turkish Admiral Kelmar Reis may be leading that fleet. He is known as a very experienced mariner, and some even compare him to Vasco da Gama!
- I don't fear. I don't retreat. I shall stay here! We shall fight him! It's better to fight him soon, so we can cause them a heavy defeat of their navy!
And then the battle started. It lasted three whole weeks. With his catapults, Kelmar Reis manages to sink two portuguese warships. Their soldiers capture a third one. De Mota's ship was also hit by a catapult shot. Was greatly damaged, but wasn't sunk. The portuguese ships manage to sink 11 turkish galleys and 5 warships. De Mota has news that Kelmar Reis is alive and that he is retreating with his fleet. Victory!
- May them learn... we greatly defeated their navy. They might be so hurt now to make any damage to the venetian islands. Let's ressuply and repair my ship!
18th April: Seven thousand zimbabwean soldiers cross the Limpopo river from Chimbuene to reach Sofala. The portuguese army waited for them... they were decimated with minimum damage to the portuguese army.
26th April: Vasco da Gama died with a heart attack on the chinese coast. His body was sent back to Portugal, to be buried with military honours. D. Manuel I orders a statue of him to be built in the old harbour, just beside the statue of D'Évora, to remind everyone of his conquests.
17th November: After a quick assault, Albuquerque takes the province of Rozwi, in the same place that he could have his army destroyed by the zimbabweans. Now he heads to Chimbuene.
On the same day, in Lisboa...
- Majesty, I'm pleased that you signed a white peace with the turks.
- Yes. We greatly destroyed their navy, and we lowered the reputation of Kelmar Reis. This is enough! And the venetians already have the upper hand in the war, so the turkish army isn't a problem to them.
Lisboa, 2nd December, 1510 A.D.. The Royal Palace.
The king receives a venetian diplomat.
- My republic has declared war against Austria. Their allies Milan, Tyrol, Genoa, Hessen, Cologne, England and the Pope have joined their war. I come here to ask you to honour our alliance.
- NO WAY I'M GONNA FIGHT THE POPE! - He shouts. - Go away! You... you... you HEATHEN! Infidel! Heretic!
- I was only having my obligation...
- Infidel! Guards, enjail him! It doesn't matter if my friend, WHAT?, my ENEMY dodge has ordered you to do this. Asking me to fight the pope is heresy! The Holy Inquisition shall take care of you... bastard...
Three important events mark the next day.
First: D. Manuel I joined the spanish alliance, along with Aragon, France and Zapotec. Zapotec? A westland nation, maybe. They are at war against Maya. Maya? Maybe neighbours of the Zapotec. Manuel honours the alliance, only because he feels he needs spanish protection. Europe is getting into flames because of the venetian wars, and he needs to protect his kingdom.
Second: That venetian diplomat was burned alive in public square in Lisboa downtown. The king himself lit fire on him. The people greatly celebrated. One less infidel in the world!
Third: Manuel sends a diplomatic insult to the dodge. He also states: "If you keep on fighting the pope, your merchants will never be welcomed on Lisboa or Alexandria. And you shall feel my wrath... my wrath, the spanish wrath, the french wrath and the aragonese wrath. We won't overlook it."
1st February, 1511: The trade agreement with the venetians was cancelled.
26th March, 1511: General Albuquerque assaults and takes Chimbuene. The next day, the zimbabwean army takes their capital back and march eastwards.
2nd April: Albuquerque receives new weapons. Strange, or at least curious. They can throw bullets and explode the enemy. He names it arquebus. He heads to the capital.
5th April: Venice now suffers from a portuguese trade embargo.
26th June: Some rich spanish merchants gift D. Manuel with 200 ducats, telling him it was a gift from the Spanish kings. D. Manuel plans to use the gift to fund new colonies in Brazil and in the Indies.
2nd August: The muslims in Zanzibar are revolting! Brigadier Almeida was ordered to leave Calcutta to fight the 11 thousand rebels there.
10th September: Albuquerque besieges the capital again. He awaits reinforcements.
15th October: The colonies of Rio de Janeiro (Salvador province) and Pernambuc were founded. They can produce sugar cane there!
3rd January, 1512: Almeida easily defeats the rebels. On the same day, the colony of Boa Vista was founded in the island of Bourbon.
27th January: The capital fell after an assault when the reinforcements arrived. Peace was signed, and Portugal annexed the whole country. Almeida now also has command of the zimbabwean army. He commands over 45 thousand soldiers!
On next day, in the royal palace...
- Did you see it, Araujo? Now we have gold! We have enough slaves to work on our sugar-producing colonies!
- This is good, lord... but I'm concerned. Our army is so big now that it is really draining our resources!
- Troops are very expansive. We can't simply disband them. Do you know how much does it costs to recruit an infantry division? Over 14 ducats. Do you know how much does it costs to recruit a cavalry division? Over 32 ducats!
- So...
- We are going to use the troops soon, very soon...
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Looks like Zimbabwe is about to become a part of the Portuguese empire! Excellent installment, Anibal!
Yes, Amric. Zimbabwe was annexed, as it was written.
Oddly enough, Venice didn't cancel the military access she gave to me or hasn't even embargoed me... at least until now. They are still at war against the turks.
Oddly enough, Venice didn't cancel the military access she gave to me or hasn't even embargoed me... at least until now. They are still at war against the turks.