**Authors Note: This will be my first AAR with EUII. I enjoy writing and have done a lot of message board role-playing on the web. I am not new to paradox games or their concepts or the concept of an AAR. However, I am a journeyman at best with my writing so please feel free to comment and critique as you see fit. The AAR will be told from a historical point of view from a 3rd person, the narrator will not be a character at all in the AAR but his tone and subtleties will hopefully add to it as he recounts the events that occurred. The premise of the AAR is to finally start and finish a EUII game and record some of what goes on. I will be doing Bavaria with the intention of creating a mid sized German state that can survive the entire 400 years.**
When telling the tale of a great empire where does one begin? What event or what person shall be the focus to begin the telling? I have been charged by my monsieur to begin the recounting of the empire of Bavaria. My instructions are to recount the events that created this great nation, and its demise, I am in a quandary as to where to start but one date sticks out which will be the start of the recountment.
In the month of January, in the year of 1419 Ernst I began the long process of establishing Bavaria as a dynasty and super power on the continent. It was said that Ernst was an adapt capable man and that his attention to detail was oft maddening to the court of his day, indeed Ernst was a detailed man in an age where details were left to the lesser officials to work out. Ernst had grand plans and by no means was he an exception to the normal ranting, and verbose dreams of nobles of his day, but Ernst backed his notions up with a well thought out plan of action that he stuck to, and that made him exclusive.
German proper had dissolved into many small duchies and each one was leery of the other, and of the growing beast in Wein the Hapsburgs. It was clear to all that Austria was slowly becoming a major threat, in addition to the vast nations of Bohemia, Poland, Hungary and Lithuania, the small states of Germany were in constant threat of being consumed and under immense diplomatic pressure for concessions via trade and military commitments. Ernst knew that in time the dynamics of the continent would change, that in fact the Hapsburgs were committed to absorbing as much of Germany proper as possible and being to the immediate north of the Tyrol he knew Bavaria was on that list. It was under these conditions that the concept of "the Duchy of the Rhine" was conceived. Ernst had decided in his mind that Bavaria had to evolve into a larger state, and that the nations to the north of Wurzburg, Mainz, and to the west Baden and Wurtzemburg were immediate neighbors that needed to be brought into this new duchy, with its seat of power in Munich to maintain a powerful southern presence. Ernst had a bold plan, it in fact couldn’t be fully realized within his life time, as a system of methodic military alliances and marriages, and conquests had to be planned and executed, indeed Ernst was rare amongst his peers his vision was for Bavaria, and for Bavaria alone.
On the 5th of January 1419 a council was held in Munich with the Duke of Dresden the Saxon lord. Ernst had long lamented at the founding of Bavaria by Duke Henry the Lion, and noted to the Duke of Dresden that "If it were not by the grace of god that Henry came to camp in Munich I would not be able to host you in such a grand fashion". The Duke was a shrewd man and could sense Ernst was laying it on very thick, yet he was in the same political situation as Ernst in addition Saxony had suffered from a poor economy and it was suggested that a 3% tariff on Saxon goods that sailed down the Danube was apart of this economic down turn. Ernst had begun the process of putting into place a more free market economy for his Duchy and already a state sponsored trade guild had been established in Venice. A deal was struck where the 3 percent tax would be waived upon Saxony agreeing to a complete military alliance, with the caveat that in the event of a conflict to ensure compliance on both parties for their parts in the alliance that a Saxon princess would be married to Ernst's son Martin with the notable condition that the couple would stay in Dresden for the duration of the marriage or upon succession of new sovereigns. This was a cunning alliance, Ernst had secured a military alliance with a nation with 20,000 troops, and a royal marriage that would produce the potential for vassalization with his son, however the taxation income wasn’t small and Saxony would be stronger for it, essentially nothing was given up front by the Duke so both parties walked away assuming the better of the other.
Word had recently been delivered to the court that Baden and Wurtzemburg had entered into a military alliance with Austria. This was more then likely a result of the new alliance between Saxony and Bavaria as instantly the two nations had become a rival power to Austria and the smaller nations were taking heed. In April of the same year the North exploded into all out war. Poland, Lithuania and Bohemia declared war on the Pommeran, and its allies Mecklenburg, Bremen, Holstein, Prussia and the Teutonic Order. Church bells through out Germany sounded and this was a dark cloud hovering over the horizon. This was what Ernst had feared all along, the larger nations consuming the smaller. The North was a mess and the ripple effect was felt as far south as Wein as diplomats had passed through Munich on the way to Warsaw to asses the situation. Immediately Ernst had to strength his position, if things went bad to the North, Saxony would be in serious danger and would not be able to commit to a military campaign. Already within three months the "Duchy of the Rhine" seemed to be in peril. In May of that same year Ernst sent his niece and a delegation of clergy to the court of Kessle and presented them to the Hessen lords. They were eagerly accepted and the promise of a future royal marriage sealed and a military alliance confirmed. Ernst had secured his Northern borders with the alliance with Hessen and Saxony, Saxony was not thrilled with the development but in a letter received at court from the Duke, Ernst revealed that the Saxons were "Aware of the situation to the North and were committed to the mutual needs of the Hessen lords, and the Bavarian duchy".
In what was a startling move, Austria along with Wurtzemburg and Baden declared war on Helvetia which was allied with Genoa. The Swiss were a noble people and Ernst bore them no ill will, yet Ernst proclaimed that fate had intervened on behalf of Bavaria and asked for a private mass from the Bishop of Bayren. After the Mass Ernst proclaimed he was given a revelation, that in fact the Duchy of Wurzburg was ready to become part of greater Bavaria. In truth Ernst capitalized on the moment, to his North the larger nations were at war, to the south Austria was fully engaged with the Swiss. Wurzburg was ripe for the picking and although it was early still, the "Duchy of the Rhine" was about to be revealed to Catholic nations of the world. A missive was sent to Dresden and Kessle that Wurzburg had been besieged by heretics and that by a divine message Ernst was charged to purge the heretics and bring order under the umbrella of Catholicism. The Bishop of Bayern placed his seal on the document and within weeks confirmation came in from both that military support would be forthcoming.
In January of 1420 Bavaria, Hessen, and Saxony sent formal notice to the Duke of Wurzburg that by proclamation of the lord the heresy in his nation was to be brought to an end. None of them had a papal blessing and an outcry of sorrow was heard through out the kingdoms. Spring came and 8000 Saxon footmen arrived outside of Bamberg. Bamberg was overrun swiftly and a quick treaty was signed with the local authorities to spare the city a siege. The Larger Bavarian force of 20,000 men proceeded slowly under the command of Colonel Staubing. In April the siege of Nernburg began and the city was over run and sacked for provisions. Staubing was not an experienced commander, it has oft been said that the military prowess of the Bavarian lords were best left to the counting of ducats and trade matters, Staubing though had decided to sack the city and allow some to escape bringing word to Wurzburg that his army was marching. Hessen forces were kept in reserve for reinforcements if needed, in all Wurzburg fielded an army of 15,000. In a bold surprise move Wurzburg main forces engaged the Saxons and routed them, a hasty retreat was undertaken and the Saxon force was cut in half. Staubing had no idea this had occurred and was shocked to find a small force in defense of Wurzburg. The siege was uneventful and slow, Staubing had purposely held back anticipating an assault from the main force, scouts were sent out and the main force was found crossing through the territory of Mainz to attack from the west. Staubing dug in and in effect prevented the break through thereby capturing the main force behind the city of Wurzburg. The siege was intensified and the gates overrun. The Wurzburg force was bottled up and a day away from offering a major offensive, the city, the Duke, and the nobility were all captured on October 18, 1420.
The Royal family of Wurzburg was offered an annual payment and a residence in Bavaria in exchange for acceptance of Bavarian rule over their Duchy and their lives. In January of 1421 after much pomp and circumstance and the requisite weeks of pledges from the nobility of Wurzburg, the Duchy was annexed and became apart of Bavaria and the first step was taken toward the "Duchy of the Rhine". Losses for the Saxons were high and the Saxons wanted assurances of Bavarian good will, in September of 1421 a royal marriage between Saxony and Bavaria cemented the long term commitment to one another. The unfortunate affects of the annexation of Wurzburg and this diplomatic move was intense pressure on Ernst from Rome to "begin the process of healing the Catholic world, and those whom walk your shared path". From 1422-1423 Ernst was forced into marriages with Hessen, Austria, Mainz, and the Palatinat. Each had a direct result of securing his borders and placing a royal claim to the throne of each, but this would cause his vision to stall as indeed he hadn’t calculated the pressure from the Hapsburgs or the Pope after the Annexation of Wurzburg.
In yet another shocking development, the war with Austria its allies and the Swiss was not going well for the Hapsburgs. Baden had been overrun and in a move that sent ripples across the German world Baden accepted peace with Genoa under the terms of full annexation. The Duke of Kessle was the first to send a missive then the Saxons, this was unpalatable that an Italian overlord should subjugate Germanic peoples. Already in Wurzburg keeping the peace, Staubing had just received reinforcements and was now at 25,000 men strong. A quick dispatch was sent to Wein asking for the Hapsburgs blessing to help turn the tide against the Italian overlords. Wein was eager in its response and Ernst quoted the emperor as saying "Removing the Italians from Baden and securing our Germanic peoples peace would hearten our people, should the Bavarian empire find it plausible Swiss forces to the south pose a long term threat to both our security". Austria wanted a full commitment to the war, Ernst was interested only in Baden as it fell within his vision of "The Duchy of the Rhine". He had no issue with the Swiss but yet again fate stepped in and on December 4, 1424 Bavaria, Hessen, and Saxony declared war on Genoa and the Swiss.
Baden fell in 3 months as the Italian force that was there abandoned their post seeing they were out numbered. The Hessen's had sent 20,000 men themselves and in a surprise to Staubing proceeded to lay siege to Bern. It took a month to get word to Munich but as soon as Ernst heard this news a quick offer of peace was sent to the Swiss and a white peace was accepted. The Hessen army, frustrated headed back to Kessle with no booty. After 2 years of war, siege, and diplomacy, and Papal intervention a peace treaty was signed between Austria and its allies and the Swiss and theirs, and hostilities ended. By graces of the pope and a promise to build 2 new cathedrals in both Wurzburg and Baden it was agreed that Genoa would relinquish control of Baden to Bavaria in exchange for the end of hostilities. In a short 10 years Ernst had doubled the size of his duchy and it seemed the potential was limitless. The Alliance of Hessen and Saxony had bore fruit and now the business of consolidation and reconciliation and economic development had to begin. In January of 1430 Ernst proclaimed that the Bavarian empire would not engage in war for the time of 10 years to allow god, and the people of Bavaria time to heal and to repent, yet it was said every morning when he rose his eyes always looked toward Mainz first, then Hiddleburg and Strasburg.
http://odin1970.tripod.com/therealmofasgard/id6.html
"The Duchy of the Rhine 1429"
**OOC: I slapped up this Tripod site fast to get the pic, I couldnt get it to embed per Mr T's instructions on the beginers tread, so the site is pretty much nothing special its just for AAR's and other role playing I do which I havent posted, heh**
When telling the tale of a great empire where does one begin? What event or what person shall be the focus to begin the telling? I have been charged by my monsieur to begin the recounting of the empire of Bavaria. My instructions are to recount the events that created this great nation, and its demise, I am in a quandary as to where to start but one date sticks out which will be the start of the recountment.
In the month of January, in the year of 1419 Ernst I began the long process of establishing Bavaria as a dynasty and super power on the continent. It was said that Ernst was an adapt capable man and that his attention to detail was oft maddening to the court of his day, indeed Ernst was a detailed man in an age where details were left to the lesser officials to work out. Ernst had grand plans and by no means was he an exception to the normal ranting, and verbose dreams of nobles of his day, but Ernst backed his notions up with a well thought out plan of action that he stuck to, and that made him exclusive.
German proper had dissolved into many small duchies and each one was leery of the other, and of the growing beast in Wein the Hapsburgs. It was clear to all that Austria was slowly becoming a major threat, in addition to the vast nations of Bohemia, Poland, Hungary and Lithuania, the small states of Germany were in constant threat of being consumed and under immense diplomatic pressure for concessions via trade and military commitments. Ernst knew that in time the dynamics of the continent would change, that in fact the Hapsburgs were committed to absorbing as much of Germany proper as possible and being to the immediate north of the Tyrol he knew Bavaria was on that list. It was under these conditions that the concept of "the Duchy of the Rhine" was conceived. Ernst had decided in his mind that Bavaria had to evolve into a larger state, and that the nations to the north of Wurzburg, Mainz, and to the west Baden and Wurtzemburg were immediate neighbors that needed to be brought into this new duchy, with its seat of power in Munich to maintain a powerful southern presence. Ernst had a bold plan, it in fact couldn’t be fully realized within his life time, as a system of methodic military alliances and marriages, and conquests had to be planned and executed, indeed Ernst was rare amongst his peers his vision was for Bavaria, and for Bavaria alone.
On the 5th of January 1419 a council was held in Munich with the Duke of Dresden the Saxon lord. Ernst had long lamented at the founding of Bavaria by Duke Henry the Lion, and noted to the Duke of Dresden that "If it were not by the grace of god that Henry came to camp in Munich I would not be able to host you in such a grand fashion". The Duke was a shrewd man and could sense Ernst was laying it on very thick, yet he was in the same political situation as Ernst in addition Saxony had suffered from a poor economy and it was suggested that a 3% tariff on Saxon goods that sailed down the Danube was apart of this economic down turn. Ernst had begun the process of putting into place a more free market economy for his Duchy and already a state sponsored trade guild had been established in Venice. A deal was struck where the 3 percent tax would be waived upon Saxony agreeing to a complete military alliance, with the caveat that in the event of a conflict to ensure compliance on both parties for their parts in the alliance that a Saxon princess would be married to Ernst's son Martin with the notable condition that the couple would stay in Dresden for the duration of the marriage or upon succession of new sovereigns. This was a cunning alliance, Ernst had secured a military alliance with a nation with 20,000 troops, and a royal marriage that would produce the potential for vassalization with his son, however the taxation income wasn’t small and Saxony would be stronger for it, essentially nothing was given up front by the Duke so both parties walked away assuming the better of the other.
Word had recently been delivered to the court that Baden and Wurtzemburg had entered into a military alliance with Austria. This was more then likely a result of the new alliance between Saxony and Bavaria as instantly the two nations had become a rival power to Austria and the smaller nations were taking heed. In April of the same year the North exploded into all out war. Poland, Lithuania and Bohemia declared war on the Pommeran, and its allies Mecklenburg, Bremen, Holstein, Prussia and the Teutonic Order. Church bells through out Germany sounded and this was a dark cloud hovering over the horizon. This was what Ernst had feared all along, the larger nations consuming the smaller. The North was a mess and the ripple effect was felt as far south as Wein as diplomats had passed through Munich on the way to Warsaw to asses the situation. Immediately Ernst had to strength his position, if things went bad to the North, Saxony would be in serious danger and would not be able to commit to a military campaign. Already within three months the "Duchy of the Rhine" seemed to be in peril. In May of that same year Ernst sent his niece and a delegation of clergy to the court of Kessle and presented them to the Hessen lords. They were eagerly accepted and the promise of a future royal marriage sealed and a military alliance confirmed. Ernst had secured his Northern borders with the alliance with Hessen and Saxony, Saxony was not thrilled with the development but in a letter received at court from the Duke, Ernst revealed that the Saxons were "Aware of the situation to the North and were committed to the mutual needs of the Hessen lords, and the Bavarian duchy".
In what was a startling move, Austria along with Wurtzemburg and Baden declared war on Helvetia which was allied with Genoa. The Swiss were a noble people and Ernst bore them no ill will, yet Ernst proclaimed that fate had intervened on behalf of Bavaria and asked for a private mass from the Bishop of Bayren. After the Mass Ernst proclaimed he was given a revelation, that in fact the Duchy of Wurzburg was ready to become part of greater Bavaria. In truth Ernst capitalized on the moment, to his North the larger nations were at war, to the south Austria was fully engaged with the Swiss. Wurzburg was ripe for the picking and although it was early still, the "Duchy of the Rhine" was about to be revealed to Catholic nations of the world. A missive was sent to Dresden and Kessle that Wurzburg had been besieged by heretics and that by a divine message Ernst was charged to purge the heretics and bring order under the umbrella of Catholicism. The Bishop of Bayern placed his seal on the document and within weeks confirmation came in from both that military support would be forthcoming.
In January of 1420 Bavaria, Hessen, and Saxony sent formal notice to the Duke of Wurzburg that by proclamation of the lord the heresy in his nation was to be brought to an end. None of them had a papal blessing and an outcry of sorrow was heard through out the kingdoms. Spring came and 8000 Saxon footmen arrived outside of Bamberg. Bamberg was overrun swiftly and a quick treaty was signed with the local authorities to spare the city a siege. The Larger Bavarian force of 20,000 men proceeded slowly under the command of Colonel Staubing. In April the siege of Nernburg began and the city was over run and sacked for provisions. Staubing was not an experienced commander, it has oft been said that the military prowess of the Bavarian lords were best left to the counting of ducats and trade matters, Staubing though had decided to sack the city and allow some to escape bringing word to Wurzburg that his army was marching. Hessen forces were kept in reserve for reinforcements if needed, in all Wurzburg fielded an army of 15,000. In a bold surprise move Wurzburg main forces engaged the Saxons and routed them, a hasty retreat was undertaken and the Saxon force was cut in half. Staubing had no idea this had occurred and was shocked to find a small force in defense of Wurzburg. The siege was uneventful and slow, Staubing had purposely held back anticipating an assault from the main force, scouts were sent out and the main force was found crossing through the territory of Mainz to attack from the west. Staubing dug in and in effect prevented the break through thereby capturing the main force behind the city of Wurzburg. The siege was intensified and the gates overrun. The Wurzburg force was bottled up and a day away from offering a major offensive, the city, the Duke, and the nobility were all captured on October 18, 1420.
The Royal family of Wurzburg was offered an annual payment and a residence in Bavaria in exchange for acceptance of Bavarian rule over their Duchy and their lives. In January of 1421 after much pomp and circumstance and the requisite weeks of pledges from the nobility of Wurzburg, the Duchy was annexed and became apart of Bavaria and the first step was taken toward the "Duchy of the Rhine". Losses for the Saxons were high and the Saxons wanted assurances of Bavarian good will, in September of 1421 a royal marriage between Saxony and Bavaria cemented the long term commitment to one another. The unfortunate affects of the annexation of Wurzburg and this diplomatic move was intense pressure on Ernst from Rome to "begin the process of healing the Catholic world, and those whom walk your shared path". From 1422-1423 Ernst was forced into marriages with Hessen, Austria, Mainz, and the Palatinat. Each had a direct result of securing his borders and placing a royal claim to the throne of each, but this would cause his vision to stall as indeed he hadn’t calculated the pressure from the Hapsburgs or the Pope after the Annexation of Wurzburg.
In yet another shocking development, the war with Austria its allies and the Swiss was not going well for the Hapsburgs. Baden had been overrun and in a move that sent ripples across the German world Baden accepted peace with Genoa under the terms of full annexation. The Duke of Kessle was the first to send a missive then the Saxons, this was unpalatable that an Italian overlord should subjugate Germanic peoples. Already in Wurzburg keeping the peace, Staubing had just received reinforcements and was now at 25,000 men strong. A quick dispatch was sent to Wein asking for the Hapsburgs blessing to help turn the tide against the Italian overlords. Wein was eager in its response and Ernst quoted the emperor as saying "Removing the Italians from Baden and securing our Germanic peoples peace would hearten our people, should the Bavarian empire find it plausible Swiss forces to the south pose a long term threat to both our security". Austria wanted a full commitment to the war, Ernst was interested only in Baden as it fell within his vision of "The Duchy of the Rhine". He had no issue with the Swiss but yet again fate stepped in and on December 4, 1424 Bavaria, Hessen, and Saxony declared war on Genoa and the Swiss.
Baden fell in 3 months as the Italian force that was there abandoned their post seeing they were out numbered. The Hessen's had sent 20,000 men themselves and in a surprise to Staubing proceeded to lay siege to Bern. It took a month to get word to Munich but as soon as Ernst heard this news a quick offer of peace was sent to the Swiss and a white peace was accepted. The Hessen army, frustrated headed back to Kessle with no booty. After 2 years of war, siege, and diplomacy, and Papal intervention a peace treaty was signed between Austria and its allies and the Swiss and theirs, and hostilities ended. By graces of the pope and a promise to build 2 new cathedrals in both Wurzburg and Baden it was agreed that Genoa would relinquish control of Baden to Bavaria in exchange for the end of hostilities. In a short 10 years Ernst had doubled the size of his duchy and it seemed the potential was limitless. The Alliance of Hessen and Saxony had bore fruit and now the business of consolidation and reconciliation and economic development had to begin. In January of 1430 Ernst proclaimed that the Bavarian empire would not engage in war for the time of 10 years to allow god, and the people of Bavaria time to heal and to repent, yet it was said every morning when he rose his eyes always looked toward Mainz first, then Hiddleburg and Strasburg.
http://odin1970.tripod.com/therealmofasgard/id6.html
"The Duchy of the Rhine 1429"
**OOC: I slapped up this Tripod site fast to get the pic, I couldnt get it to embed per Mr T's instructions on the beginers tread, so the site is pretty much nothing special its just for AAR's and other role playing I do which I havent posted, heh**
*clicks on subscribe*
