Also in May of 1474, an opportunity came along to pull some ecclesiastical properties away from the archdiocese. Though this was considered somewhat risky, with Papal troops so nearby (though very occupied!), I decided it was better than knuckling under for the Church (i.e. losing prestige).
We received 150 ducats from the sale of these lands to some of my best friends (and enemies), and invested the funds in the construction of two carracks – a larger ship class than my navy previously possessed.
The French war with the Papal States continues. The Pope’s soldiers have access across our land, but the French and all her allies keep asking me for access the other way, and I refuse to grant it. I’m hoping this will be rather helpful to the Pope, as I’d love to see France knocked down a notch. I’m not sure, from the exchange so far, whether he’ll be able to accomplish a military victory.
The Pope’s armies keep getting turned back from the French territory, even though they are better led and more numerous. It appears – it’s hard to tell in fog of war, but I think – that Rome is under siege. In an attempt to help out, I offer 5 ducats a month for 6 months in war subsidies. Let’s see if this affects the war at all (probably not!).
On three occasions, I was repairing relations with Modena through state gifts. Finally, in September, I succeeded in getting back to where I had been originally. It’s time to try for vassalization now (their king just died, and they have a regency – not that that’s here nor there, for vassalization purposes, except that there’s no one to get angry for us displacing him).
One month later, I successfully got them to agree to become our vassals. We’re surrounded, now, by 3 vassals – delivering money into our treasury, and becoming targets for future diplo-annexation.
During this period, I also had an event which expanded my cores against several of my neighbors. While I’m not particularly keen on angering Savoy – my first prospect for diplo-annexation – I do like the cores on Switzerland, and the Casus Belli, and when I do diplo-annex Savoy and/or Mantua, I’ll have an economy ready to start making serious money for me (100% vs. 10% for non-cores) right away! Glory be!
Next – how’s my trading going? An analysis.