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Chapter VIII "The Reformation & a new Crusade?"
The world Wilhelm stepped into was a complex mix of social, political and religious fervors. The world was getting smaller and smaller and Bavaria was in the middle of it all. Wilhelm was a smart young sovereign he understood that survival was more important then dynasty for the new Bavaria and upon his ascension made it clear to the court retainers that he would consolidate and solidify Bavaria. In addition Wilhelm pledged his continued support for the Hapsburgs and let them know that Bavaria would continue to support their elections as Holy Roman Emperor.
That proclamation had its good points and its bad points. On April 27, 1508 Gelre became Vassals of Austria. Austria had quietly secured the lands of the Dutch and had been fortifying the position for years. It was hoped by many that this would be a catalyst for an invasion into France to once and for all stem the expansion of French lords. Later that year on June 19, 1508 Oldenburg became Vassals of Austria. The Hapsburgs were now using their Dutch holdings to put pressure on the North, and it was a quandary for Wilhelm on what to do.
On the one hand he needed a strong Austria to assist with France and to deal with the encroaching Ottomans. On the other hand Bavaria was in the middle of what was shaping up to be two large Austrian states, each equal in mass, population, and income to Bavaria. Wilhelm stood his ground, but a careful eye was placed on Wein, old wounds always leave a scar and Austrian humiliation over the "Battle of Wurtemburg" might serve to reinitiate hostilities.
Time went buy slowly in the beginning of the 16th century when word came that on April 22, 1509 Henry VIII rose to the throne in England. Henry's reputation had preceded his ascension, it was hoped that finally and English King would reestablish old claims on the continent. However the English still had a volatile neighbor in Eire and it seemed that the prudent course was to consolidate the isles and then turn to the Continent.
With great fanfare on January 30, 1510 Hannover became Vassals of Austria. Yet another German duchy had pledged allegiance to the Hapsburgs, Bavaria was becoming more and more isolated. With no allies and a somewhat aging Military apparatus it was clear something more brash would need to be done. Wilhelm appointed a panel of 5 of his oldest experienced commanders to oversee the refitting, reorganization and improve the military.
March 28, 1510 Friesland became Vassals of Austria, and then in May Helvetia became Vassals of Austria. It was clear the Hapsburgs were making a statement to the world that their will was to be followed and that the Empire would not simply fade into obscurity. What was on every courts mind at the time was, "what will be the next move?"
Wein was using every last drop of influence and political pressure to expand its holdings. It was clear that there was a larger strategy in the works but Wein wasn't giving any assurances to anyone. From 1510-1513 things were fairly quite, Wilhelm's military investments were beginning to bare some fruit but Bavaria had a long way to go to become a modern army.
On February 21, 1513 Leo X rose to the throne in Papal States. The new Pope had sent an emissary to Munich to gauge dispositions and to heal old wounds. Wilhelm saw this as an opportunity to excerpt what influence he could over a less the pious Pope, after all Bavaria was a large part of the Empire and Wilhelm needed to know how much influence he had. Wilhelm suggested that the Hapsburgs with their new holdings and income from the vassalations to the north should mount a crusade against the Ottomans.
Wilhelm knew that the word "Crusade" would inspire the pope, his envoy bought into the idea completely. Wilhelm made a generous donation to the envoy and the dye was cast. It was a gamble perhaps, but if it paid off Austria would move South and be exposed to Bavaria and then it would need Bavaria desperately to guard it southern empire.
Three more years passed with no movements from Austria or France. Poland was quite as well. Through out the land it seemed there was a silent rebellion going on. You could sense it in the air, when you were at market, at court it was as if something was going to happen but know one knew what it was, there were rumblings but it would be another full year before Luther challenged the Church.
Europe had been quite for to long, something had to give the tension seemed to permeate every part of life. On February 4, 1516 The Crowns of Spain united and Aragon was no more. Certainly this was a major event but it didn't equate to the aforementioned tension. In Munich Wilhelm sent salutations immediately, France now had a major power on its western border. Although it made Europe smaller it added pressure to France which could only help Bavaria in the long run.
Finally, confirmation was received in Munich that the Pope had accepted the Bavarian premise for a new crusade and had used his influence in Wein to press for the action. The Hapsburgs were in no hurry but on March 1, 1516 Bavaria entered a Royal Marriage with Austria, at Weins request. It seemed that Austria had now shifted its focus from the middle empire to the South and just as Wilhelm had gambled the Hapsburgs were shoring up alliances to cover their exposed areas.
As part of the arrangement Wilhelm secured military access to Austrian provinces and Helvetia. Certainly a small concession but one that Wilhelm knew solidified his theory that the Hapsburgs needed to trust Bavaria to guard the middle empire. Bavaria had achieved a nice coup with their papal strategy, Austria had tipped their hand and Wilhelm knew he was in a position of strength and could now begin to plan for a future Bavarian expansion.
Austria had comprised a massive alliance, one that Wilhelm chose to stay out of but he did pledge to not allow any enemy of Austria access to his lands, a promise he indeed kept. On June 4, 1517 Austria,Gelre,Friesland, England,Oldenburg, Hannover and Helvetia declared war against Hungary,Naples, Spain, Eire. No one thought that the Hapsburgs would go through Hungary to get to the Ottomans.
That was the course to be taken, and it seemed that Wein was bent on consuming what was left of Hungary into the empire. The Ottomans were not fooled by the declaration and knew they were the true target, in response on June 11, 1517 the Ottoman Empire declared war upon Hungary, Naples, Spain, and Eire. It seemed the crusade as on, and Europe held its breath. In the fall on September 25, 1517 Venice declared war upon Hungary, Naples, Spain, and Eire, in an obvious attempt to secure its borders and be able to expand its holdings.
Less then 2 years later on January 14, 1519 Karl V rose to the throne in Austria. Wilhelm supported Karl and that support ensured his election to the seat of Holy Roman Emperor. On July 7, 1520 King Lajos of Hungary died and the Hungarian royal family went with Elect Ferdinand Habsburg of Austria to the throne, thus ensuring the inheritance of what was left of Hungary to the Austrians.
Every one was shocked, no one had seen this coming and now Austria was as big as France and Poland. The Ottomans pulled back and reassessed the situation. The Hapsburgs pulled back as well to consolidate and firm up their Hungarian inheritance, but everyone knew it was only a matter of time before the Ottomans and the Austrians would collide.
Despite all that happened the tension still remained, and it was on February 26, 1523 that the tension was shattered and the Catholic world was shook to its core. The Reformation began on Oct. 31, 1517, when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg, the impact had a slow effect but more and more the populace was buying into his thesis. Provinces were converting to Protestant, the people were demanding changes and every Monarch in the Empire had to deal with the deluge of heresy and unrest.
It became apparent in 1523 that this new reality was here to stay and that it was two large a movement to stamp out with the obligatory burnings and torture. No, this had to be dealt with on a political level as well, Wilhelm to his credit saw the writing on the wall and pronounced a policy of tolerance, much to the dismay of the now ailing pope. However Wilhelm declared that the official religion of state would remain Catholic, and that any member of the Royal family that strayed from the catholic path would be disowned.
The fact that Martin Luther had made his bold assertions in Bavarian lands didn't bode well for relations with the Hapsburgs or the Pope. The Saxons, now apart of Bavaria, always maintained an intellectual sovereignty and still claimed that the Whittleburg line in Munich was of Saxon blood. On September 16, 1523 Clemens VII rose to the throne in Papal States and became pope.Clemens VII was a truly religious man, worried about limiting the damages of the reformation, and Luther's claims, no matter how founded they were.
Clemens sent a curt letter to Munich stating the case that he felt that Wilhelm had instigated a Papal blessing for Austrian expansion into Hungary and toward the Ottomans and that coupled with the freedoms afforded to men like Luther from Munich had single handily undermined the Church. Wilhelm was beside himself with anger but held his tongue and wrote an eloquent letter back reminding Rome who guarded the heart of the Empire, and that Bavaria was the one nation who could swing the electorate and cause and uproar.
It was a bold letter but well written, Wilhelm made it clear he understood the situation in his Saxon lands but he also understood the Empire needed him now more then ever.
**Authors note: next post probably Friday, then a weekend session which I hope to get a new screenie from**
The world Wilhelm stepped into was a complex mix of social, political and religious fervors. The world was getting smaller and smaller and Bavaria was in the middle of it all. Wilhelm was a smart young sovereign he understood that survival was more important then dynasty for the new Bavaria and upon his ascension made it clear to the court retainers that he would consolidate and solidify Bavaria. In addition Wilhelm pledged his continued support for the Hapsburgs and let them know that Bavaria would continue to support their elections as Holy Roman Emperor.
That proclamation had its good points and its bad points. On April 27, 1508 Gelre became Vassals of Austria. Austria had quietly secured the lands of the Dutch and had been fortifying the position for years. It was hoped by many that this would be a catalyst for an invasion into France to once and for all stem the expansion of French lords. Later that year on June 19, 1508 Oldenburg became Vassals of Austria. The Hapsburgs were now using their Dutch holdings to put pressure on the North, and it was a quandary for Wilhelm on what to do.
On the one hand he needed a strong Austria to assist with France and to deal with the encroaching Ottomans. On the other hand Bavaria was in the middle of what was shaping up to be two large Austrian states, each equal in mass, population, and income to Bavaria. Wilhelm stood his ground, but a careful eye was placed on Wein, old wounds always leave a scar and Austrian humiliation over the "Battle of Wurtemburg" might serve to reinitiate hostilities.
Time went buy slowly in the beginning of the 16th century when word came that on April 22, 1509 Henry VIII rose to the throne in England. Henry's reputation had preceded his ascension, it was hoped that finally and English King would reestablish old claims on the continent. However the English still had a volatile neighbor in Eire and it seemed that the prudent course was to consolidate the isles and then turn to the Continent.
With great fanfare on January 30, 1510 Hannover became Vassals of Austria. Yet another German duchy had pledged allegiance to the Hapsburgs, Bavaria was becoming more and more isolated. With no allies and a somewhat aging Military apparatus it was clear something more brash would need to be done. Wilhelm appointed a panel of 5 of his oldest experienced commanders to oversee the refitting, reorganization and improve the military.
March 28, 1510 Friesland became Vassals of Austria, and then in May Helvetia became Vassals of Austria. It was clear the Hapsburgs were making a statement to the world that their will was to be followed and that the Empire would not simply fade into obscurity. What was on every courts mind at the time was, "what will be the next move?"
Wein was using every last drop of influence and political pressure to expand its holdings. It was clear that there was a larger strategy in the works but Wein wasn't giving any assurances to anyone. From 1510-1513 things were fairly quite, Wilhelm's military investments were beginning to bare some fruit but Bavaria had a long way to go to become a modern army.
On February 21, 1513 Leo X rose to the throne in Papal States. The new Pope had sent an emissary to Munich to gauge dispositions and to heal old wounds. Wilhelm saw this as an opportunity to excerpt what influence he could over a less the pious Pope, after all Bavaria was a large part of the Empire and Wilhelm needed to know how much influence he had. Wilhelm suggested that the Hapsburgs with their new holdings and income from the vassalations to the north should mount a crusade against the Ottomans.
Wilhelm knew that the word "Crusade" would inspire the pope, his envoy bought into the idea completely. Wilhelm made a generous donation to the envoy and the dye was cast. It was a gamble perhaps, but if it paid off Austria would move South and be exposed to Bavaria and then it would need Bavaria desperately to guard it southern empire.
Three more years passed with no movements from Austria or France. Poland was quite as well. Through out the land it seemed there was a silent rebellion going on. You could sense it in the air, when you were at market, at court it was as if something was going to happen but know one knew what it was, there were rumblings but it would be another full year before Luther challenged the Church.
Europe had been quite for to long, something had to give the tension seemed to permeate every part of life. On February 4, 1516 The Crowns of Spain united and Aragon was no more. Certainly this was a major event but it didn't equate to the aforementioned tension. In Munich Wilhelm sent salutations immediately, France now had a major power on its western border. Although it made Europe smaller it added pressure to France which could only help Bavaria in the long run.
Finally, confirmation was received in Munich that the Pope had accepted the Bavarian premise for a new crusade and had used his influence in Wein to press for the action. The Hapsburgs were in no hurry but on March 1, 1516 Bavaria entered a Royal Marriage with Austria, at Weins request. It seemed that Austria had now shifted its focus from the middle empire to the South and just as Wilhelm had gambled the Hapsburgs were shoring up alliances to cover their exposed areas.
As part of the arrangement Wilhelm secured military access to Austrian provinces and Helvetia. Certainly a small concession but one that Wilhelm knew solidified his theory that the Hapsburgs needed to trust Bavaria to guard the middle empire. Bavaria had achieved a nice coup with their papal strategy, Austria had tipped their hand and Wilhelm knew he was in a position of strength and could now begin to plan for a future Bavarian expansion.
Austria had comprised a massive alliance, one that Wilhelm chose to stay out of but he did pledge to not allow any enemy of Austria access to his lands, a promise he indeed kept. On June 4, 1517 Austria,Gelre,Friesland, England,Oldenburg, Hannover and Helvetia declared war against Hungary,Naples, Spain, Eire. No one thought that the Hapsburgs would go through Hungary to get to the Ottomans.
That was the course to be taken, and it seemed that Wein was bent on consuming what was left of Hungary into the empire. The Ottomans were not fooled by the declaration and knew they were the true target, in response on June 11, 1517 the Ottoman Empire declared war upon Hungary, Naples, Spain, and Eire. It seemed the crusade as on, and Europe held its breath. In the fall on September 25, 1517 Venice declared war upon Hungary, Naples, Spain, and Eire, in an obvious attempt to secure its borders and be able to expand its holdings.
Less then 2 years later on January 14, 1519 Karl V rose to the throne in Austria. Wilhelm supported Karl and that support ensured his election to the seat of Holy Roman Emperor. On July 7, 1520 King Lajos of Hungary died and the Hungarian royal family went with Elect Ferdinand Habsburg of Austria to the throne, thus ensuring the inheritance of what was left of Hungary to the Austrians.
Every one was shocked, no one had seen this coming and now Austria was as big as France and Poland. The Ottomans pulled back and reassessed the situation. The Hapsburgs pulled back as well to consolidate and firm up their Hungarian inheritance, but everyone knew it was only a matter of time before the Ottomans and the Austrians would collide.
Despite all that happened the tension still remained, and it was on February 26, 1523 that the tension was shattered and the Catholic world was shook to its core. The Reformation began on Oct. 31, 1517, when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg, the impact had a slow effect but more and more the populace was buying into his thesis. Provinces were converting to Protestant, the people were demanding changes and every Monarch in the Empire had to deal with the deluge of heresy and unrest.
It became apparent in 1523 that this new reality was here to stay and that it was two large a movement to stamp out with the obligatory burnings and torture. No, this had to be dealt with on a political level as well, Wilhelm to his credit saw the writing on the wall and pronounced a policy of tolerance, much to the dismay of the now ailing pope. However Wilhelm declared that the official religion of state would remain Catholic, and that any member of the Royal family that strayed from the catholic path would be disowned.
The fact that Martin Luther had made his bold assertions in Bavarian lands didn't bode well for relations with the Hapsburgs or the Pope. The Saxons, now apart of Bavaria, always maintained an intellectual sovereignty and still claimed that the Whittleburg line in Munich was of Saxon blood. On September 16, 1523 Clemens VII rose to the throne in Papal States and became pope.Clemens VII was a truly religious man, worried about limiting the damages of the reformation, and Luther's claims, no matter how founded they were.
Clemens sent a curt letter to Munich stating the case that he felt that Wilhelm had instigated a Papal blessing for Austrian expansion into Hungary and toward the Ottomans and that coupled with the freedoms afforded to men like Luther from Munich had single handily undermined the Church. Wilhelm was beside himself with anger but held his tongue and wrote an eloquent letter back reminding Rome who guarded the heart of the Empire, and that Bavaria was the one nation who could swing the electorate and cause and uproar.
It was a bold letter but well written, Wilhelm made it clear he understood the situation in his Saxon lands but he also understood the Empire needed him now more then ever.
**Authors note: next post probably Friday, then a weekend session which I hope to get a new screenie from**
I should have been paying attention to this AAR sooner. but I will definitely be paying attention from now on.
Originally posted by Judge
Ahh, Bavaria, beer and sausages. Nice work, keep it up
My honeymoon was in Bavaria, or what was Bavaria. Loved the Danube and the black forest. Vienna was a lot of fun to. Its been a slow moving AAR, wife kids and career consume so much time I get 2 or maybe 3 2 hour sessions a week to devote to play and writing.
Thanks for your comments and support Judge.
Odin
Chapter VIIII "The Politics of a Crusade"
Old alliances were dissolving, the church was in upheaval and the common man was finding his voice. Wilhelm had maintained the status quo in Munich and continued the economic development model Albrecht had left him.
Concessions had been obtained from the Hapsburgs and Pope Clemens that Bavaria would comprise the "Middle" of the Holy Roman Empire. In the edict signed by all parties Bavaria was to secure its current lands and to continue its support for the Catholic empire. Wilhelm realized that he now had two choices, alliance with Poland or attack.
The Pope had allied himself with Paris and it was now not in the realm of possibility to remove French lords from German lands. Although inconsistent with Bavarian policy Wilhelm was not arrogant enough to thwart history, he knew he had papal blessing and the Emperors blessing to do as he see fit as long as he kept Bavaria Catholic. It was determined that the best course of action was to reconcile with Poland and to attempt to initiate a political process where Poland would be divided between Bavaria and Austria.
On April 24, 1527 Poland rejected a Bavarian Royal Marriage proposal. The Poles were not dim witted, they knew that the Empire was in a state of turmoil due to the increasing influence of Luther’s movement and were in no hurry to ally. Wilhelm however took the slight personally and in private conversation with court officials decreed that "The Duchy of the Rhine my forbearers handed to down to me shall extend to the Oder river".
That proclamation meant Poland was a target and in classic methodical Bavarian fashion, a series of calculated events, and luck began to unfold to bring the empire to the point of making the proclamation a reality.
June 4, 1527 The Baden Regiment was moved to Sachsen to reinforce the border with Poland and to increase the military presence in the now Protestant province. On July 8, 1527 The Hessen regiment was reinforced as well marking a renewed effort by Munich to update its military.
In the process of refitting, Austria did not stop in its policy of expansion on August 27, 1528 Austria annexed Helvetia. Yet again the Swiss were embroiled in a political take over, Wilhelm knew it wouldn’t last the Swiss were to strong willed and as soon as Karl refocused somewhere else The Swiss would revolt.
June 14, 1529 Austria annexed Gelre, then a year later on May 1, 1530 : Austria annexed Friesland. The political conquest of the Hapsburgs seemed all but complete. Old alliances had dissolved, old wars had ended and it seemed a new era in European history was about to begin. Wilhelm continued his efforts at improving the army but sent an angry letter to Rome wondering when, or if Wein would move against the Ottomans.
Soon after, June 19, 1530 Austria declared war upon Siebenbürgen. England, Oldenburg, Hannover honored the new Austrian alliance and declared war as well. The next day the Ottoman Empire joined the war on the same side as Siebenbürgen. Finally it seemed the Hapsburgs were keeping their promise, moving thier armies south and thereby securing the Bavarian position as defender of the heart of the empire.
On July 28, 1530 : Venice entered a Military Alliance with England, Oldenburg, Hannover and Austria and declared war on Siebenbürgen and Ottoman Empire. It seemed that Papal pressure had made the Venetians cave in and now the Ottomans had a multiple front war. Plans were still being discussed about Poland and Prague sent an emissary requesting alliance with Bavaria. Wilhelm made it contingent on a Royal marriage and succession rights for Bavaria which were summarily declined and yet again the Polish situation deteriated.
The year 1532 would set Bavarian expansion plans back considerably. On January 14, 1532 Lithuania entered a Royal Marriage with Teutonic Order. Then on February 19, 1532 Poland entered a Royal Marriage with Teutonic Order. Finally in August 1532 Denmark entered a Military Alliance with Poland, Teutonic Order and Lithuania.
Wilhelm couldn’t move on Poland while Austria was committed to the South and the alliance with the Order and Lithuania made it virtual suicide to go it alone. Wilhelm would have to wait. November 17, 1532 Siebenbürgen accepted peace with Austria on the following terms : Siebenbürgen pays 18$ in indemnities. Ruthenia to Austria. Immediately after the secession of hostilities with Siebenburgen Austria annexed Hannover and Oldenburg.
Bavaria had managed to stay out of any alliance preferring to operate as a sovereign nation politically committed to no one, with the events of 1532 Wilhelm had no choice, it was time to change the policy of autonomy.
On March 6, 1533 : Sweden entered a Military Alliance with England, Austria and Venice and 22 days later Bavaria joined the alliance as well. England was the alliance leader and this political move secured Bavaria from possible consumption by Austria and at the very least made it more potent for a potential strike against Poland.
Almost a year passed and the unthinkable happened, England went with Take Command of the Church of England in The Act of Supremacy. Subsequent to that England left the Military Alliance she had with Bavaria, Austria, Venice and Sweden, and converted to Protestant.
Wilhelm knew this was an opportunity to expand Bavarian influence and offered the remaining members of the alliance a 1 year exemption from Bavarian tax on goods transported on the Danube to be elected to the leadership of the alliance. It worked, every nation signed on including the Hapsburgs which was surprising to Wilhelm.
Now Wilhelm was the head of an alliance that included the Holy Roman Emperor, and a strong contingent of Catholic states. Instantly Bavaria was the mouth piece for the premiere Catholic bloc, rivaled close by the French Papal alliance, but in shear strength of troops the Austrians made the Bavarian bloc the superior.
June 4, 1537 : Spain declared war upon France. Eire, and Portugal joined the war on the same side as Spain in their war against France. The Papal States joined the war on the same side as France in their war against Spain, Eire and Portugal. After a near decade of peace finally someone decided to deal with France. Officially Bavaria stayed out of the war along with its allies but a close eye was kept on Mainz, Lorraine, and Hiddleburg.
If they revolted Bavarian troops would sweep in and declare them free German duchies again, under Bavarian protection. The Pope knew that Munich had a long standing position of reclaiming the German lands from French lords and sent a direct request to Munich to stay out of the war. Wilhelm agreed with great reservation, but he knew he needed the Pope more then he needed those French provinces, at any moment Wein could change policy and Bavaria would be in a two front war.
Wilhelm honored the request with the stipulation that France and the Pope would stay out of any war in the middle of the empire. The pope agreed and a crucial concession was given to Bavaria, one in which Wilhelm fully planed to exploit for Bavarian gain. On December 1, 1537 Teutonic Order left the Military Alliance she had with Poland, Lithuania and Denmark, and converted to Protestant.
Immediately Wilhelm invited the order to join his alliance with Austria, Venice and Sweden. The Order was looking to recover politically from the conversion and joined. Wilhelm knew it would not be popular in Rome but the invitation was based on a tactical advantage, and now Bavarian influence touched Northern Europe.
2 days before Christmas Spain accepted peace with France on the following terms : France pays 12$ in indemnities. It was a short war, one that was symbolic mostly. The cessation of the war allowed the Catholic powers to look back at the Ottomans and the Muslim threat creeping North. On February 1, 1538 Austria declared war upon Siebenbürgen.Venice, Sweden, and the Teutonic Order followed suit, The Ottoman Empire came to the aid of Siebenbürgen.
Wilhelm waited as long as he could and finally joined the war. The next day on February 2, 1538 Papal States and France declared war upon Ottoman Empire. The Pope had miscalculated the deceptive abilities of Karl V of Austria and had declared war on the wrong party.
It was less then 6 months before Siebenbürgen accepted peace with Venice on the following terms : Full Annexation of Siebenbürgen by Venice. Which now left the Bavarian bloc at war with the Ottomans indirectly. It had worked out but Rome wasn't happy about the misunderstanding, there was a separate deal made with Wein that once the Hapsburgs declared war on the Ottomans the Pope would bring France in and legitimize the Crusade.
Politically Karl was still consolidating his Hungarian inheritance and there had been a quite ease on the border with the Ottomans. Karl technically never declared war on the Ottomans as agreed and therefore could leave the lead role to France, something that didn't receive any complaints from Munich. Rome sent an angry letter to Wilhelm demanding that the Bavarian bloc make a full and public declaration of war against the Ottomans. Wilhelm to his credit acknowledged the Popes frustration but deferred the matter to the Emperor but pledged "Per our agreement holy father, Bavaria will defend the heart of the empire".
On July 28, 1538 the Teutonic Order left the alliance and entered a Military Alliance with Poland, Lithuania and Denmark. A letter was received in Munich from the Order stating the pressure was to high from its larger neighbors and with regret had to leave. It was common knowledge that the Poles manipulated the event in attempt to slight the Bavarian bloc, Wilhelm was not amused and he sent no reply allowing the silence to speak for him.
On November 15, 1538 an emissary from the Ottoman Empire was received in Munich and through a private agreement a white peace was signed, with the stipulation that it not become public until after the resolution of what was becoming a bloody Crusade. This was perhaps Wilhelm's most dishonorable act as sovereign, he knew he should have committed fully to the Crusade but he had to protect the heart of the Empire, and he had to deal with Poland.
Five years passed and Bavaria continued to grow economically and militarily finally becoming advanced at new siege and field war techniques. On July 1 1543 Denmark invaded what was left of the Duchy of Holstein. This would prove to be yet another event of fate that would smile on Bavaria. First Poland dishonored a Military Alliance she had with Lithuania, Denmark and Teutonic Order. Then Lithuania, then the Teutonic Order. No one wanted this war, but after a long drawn out negotiation Poland rejoined the alliance and declared war on Holstein.
On August 5, 1543 Wilhelm sent a letter to the Lithuanians, along with a personal letter from Karl V that requested Lithuania join the Bavarian bloc. Lithuania accepted and now Bavaria stood at the head of the largest alliance in the world, Austria, Venice, Sweden, Bavaria, and Lithuania.
Wilhelm had indeed secured the heart of the empire there was no one who could boast such a mammoth contingent. There were only 4 other powers who could stand up to Munich now and they were: Russia, France, Poland, and the Ottomans. None of which were allied with the other.
By the end of 1546 the Ottomans had been routed and wanted to end the crusade against its European holdings. The Pope, Wilhelm as head of the Bavarian bloc alliance, and Karl V the Holy Roman emperor began the negotiations and made a settlement with the Ottomans that removed any Ottoman threat to Europe for years to come. First a White Peace was signed between Ottoman Empire and Venice. Then the Ottoman Empire accepted peace with Papal States on the following terms Cyprus to Tuscany & Napoli to Papal States.
Then it was Austria's turn, Austria accepted peace with Ottoman Empire on the following terms : Serbia to Austria, Magyar to Austria, Maros to Austria, Banat to Austria & Pest to Austria. Bavaria received no land in the deal but fulfilled its duty to the Pope and to the Hapsburgs by defending the empire, in addition Austria was extended south and couldn't hope to have a two front war against Bavaria now which was always a concern for Wilhelm, and Bavaria was now the head of an alliance that surrounded a weakened Poland.
At the start of 1547 Wilhelm convened his ministers and made a simple yet direct proclamation. "It is time to devise the means, and plans necessary to crush Poland and extend Bavarian influence to the Oder" Everyone knew it was coming, Bavaria was going to go to war.
Old alliances were dissolving, the church was in upheaval and the common man was finding his voice. Wilhelm had maintained the status quo in Munich and continued the economic development model Albrecht had left him.
Concessions had been obtained from the Hapsburgs and Pope Clemens that Bavaria would comprise the "Middle" of the Holy Roman Empire. In the edict signed by all parties Bavaria was to secure its current lands and to continue its support for the Catholic empire. Wilhelm realized that he now had two choices, alliance with Poland or attack.
The Pope had allied himself with Paris and it was now not in the realm of possibility to remove French lords from German lands. Although inconsistent with Bavarian policy Wilhelm was not arrogant enough to thwart history, he knew he had papal blessing and the Emperors blessing to do as he see fit as long as he kept Bavaria Catholic. It was determined that the best course of action was to reconcile with Poland and to attempt to initiate a political process where Poland would be divided between Bavaria and Austria.
On April 24, 1527 Poland rejected a Bavarian Royal Marriage proposal. The Poles were not dim witted, they knew that the Empire was in a state of turmoil due to the increasing influence of Luther’s movement and were in no hurry to ally. Wilhelm however took the slight personally and in private conversation with court officials decreed that "The Duchy of the Rhine my forbearers handed to down to me shall extend to the Oder river".
That proclamation meant Poland was a target and in classic methodical Bavarian fashion, a series of calculated events, and luck began to unfold to bring the empire to the point of making the proclamation a reality.
June 4, 1527 The Baden Regiment was moved to Sachsen to reinforce the border with Poland and to increase the military presence in the now Protestant province. On July 8, 1527 The Hessen regiment was reinforced as well marking a renewed effort by Munich to update its military.
In the process of refitting, Austria did not stop in its policy of expansion on August 27, 1528 Austria annexed Helvetia. Yet again the Swiss were embroiled in a political take over, Wilhelm knew it wouldn’t last the Swiss were to strong willed and as soon as Karl refocused somewhere else The Swiss would revolt.
June 14, 1529 Austria annexed Gelre, then a year later on May 1, 1530 : Austria annexed Friesland. The political conquest of the Hapsburgs seemed all but complete. Old alliances had dissolved, old wars had ended and it seemed a new era in European history was about to begin. Wilhelm continued his efforts at improving the army but sent an angry letter to Rome wondering when, or if Wein would move against the Ottomans.
Soon after, June 19, 1530 Austria declared war upon Siebenbürgen. England, Oldenburg, Hannover honored the new Austrian alliance and declared war as well. The next day the Ottoman Empire joined the war on the same side as Siebenbürgen. Finally it seemed the Hapsburgs were keeping their promise, moving thier armies south and thereby securing the Bavarian position as defender of the heart of the empire.
On July 28, 1530 : Venice entered a Military Alliance with England, Oldenburg, Hannover and Austria and declared war on Siebenbürgen and Ottoman Empire. It seemed that Papal pressure had made the Venetians cave in and now the Ottomans had a multiple front war. Plans were still being discussed about Poland and Prague sent an emissary requesting alliance with Bavaria. Wilhelm made it contingent on a Royal marriage and succession rights for Bavaria which were summarily declined and yet again the Polish situation deteriated.
The year 1532 would set Bavarian expansion plans back considerably. On January 14, 1532 Lithuania entered a Royal Marriage with Teutonic Order. Then on February 19, 1532 Poland entered a Royal Marriage with Teutonic Order. Finally in August 1532 Denmark entered a Military Alliance with Poland, Teutonic Order and Lithuania.
Wilhelm couldn’t move on Poland while Austria was committed to the South and the alliance with the Order and Lithuania made it virtual suicide to go it alone. Wilhelm would have to wait. November 17, 1532 Siebenbürgen accepted peace with Austria on the following terms : Siebenbürgen pays 18$ in indemnities. Ruthenia to Austria. Immediately after the secession of hostilities with Siebenburgen Austria annexed Hannover and Oldenburg.
Bavaria had managed to stay out of any alliance preferring to operate as a sovereign nation politically committed to no one, with the events of 1532 Wilhelm had no choice, it was time to change the policy of autonomy.
On March 6, 1533 : Sweden entered a Military Alliance with England, Austria and Venice and 22 days later Bavaria joined the alliance as well. England was the alliance leader and this political move secured Bavaria from possible consumption by Austria and at the very least made it more potent for a potential strike against Poland.
Almost a year passed and the unthinkable happened, England went with Take Command of the Church of England in The Act of Supremacy. Subsequent to that England left the Military Alliance she had with Bavaria, Austria, Venice and Sweden, and converted to Protestant.
Wilhelm knew this was an opportunity to expand Bavarian influence and offered the remaining members of the alliance a 1 year exemption from Bavarian tax on goods transported on the Danube to be elected to the leadership of the alliance. It worked, every nation signed on including the Hapsburgs which was surprising to Wilhelm.
Now Wilhelm was the head of an alliance that included the Holy Roman Emperor, and a strong contingent of Catholic states. Instantly Bavaria was the mouth piece for the premiere Catholic bloc, rivaled close by the French Papal alliance, but in shear strength of troops the Austrians made the Bavarian bloc the superior.
June 4, 1537 : Spain declared war upon France. Eire, and Portugal joined the war on the same side as Spain in their war against France. The Papal States joined the war on the same side as France in their war against Spain, Eire and Portugal. After a near decade of peace finally someone decided to deal with France. Officially Bavaria stayed out of the war along with its allies but a close eye was kept on Mainz, Lorraine, and Hiddleburg.
If they revolted Bavarian troops would sweep in and declare them free German duchies again, under Bavarian protection. The Pope knew that Munich had a long standing position of reclaiming the German lands from French lords and sent a direct request to Munich to stay out of the war. Wilhelm agreed with great reservation, but he knew he needed the Pope more then he needed those French provinces, at any moment Wein could change policy and Bavaria would be in a two front war.
Wilhelm honored the request with the stipulation that France and the Pope would stay out of any war in the middle of the empire. The pope agreed and a crucial concession was given to Bavaria, one in which Wilhelm fully planed to exploit for Bavarian gain. On December 1, 1537 Teutonic Order left the Military Alliance she had with Poland, Lithuania and Denmark, and converted to Protestant.
Immediately Wilhelm invited the order to join his alliance with Austria, Venice and Sweden. The Order was looking to recover politically from the conversion and joined. Wilhelm knew it would not be popular in Rome but the invitation was based on a tactical advantage, and now Bavarian influence touched Northern Europe.
2 days before Christmas Spain accepted peace with France on the following terms : France pays 12$ in indemnities. It was a short war, one that was symbolic mostly. The cessation of the war allowed the Catholic powers to look back at the Ottomans and the Muslim threat creeping North. On February 1, 1538 Austria declared war upon Siebenbürgen.Venice, Sweden, and the Teutonic Order followed suit, The Ottoman Empire came to the aid of Siebenbürgen.
Wilhelm waited as long as he could and finally joined the war. The next day on February 2, 1538 Papal States and France declared war upon Ottoman Empire. The Pope had miscalculated the deceptive abilities of Karl V of Austria and had declared war on the wrong party.
It was less then 6 months before Siebenbürgen accepted peace with Venice on the following terms : Full Annexation of Siebenbürgen by Venice. Which now left the Bavarian bloc at war with the Ottomans indirectly. It had worked out but Rome wasn't happy about the misunderstanding, there was a separate deal made with Wein that once the Hapsburgs declared war on the Ottomans the Pope would bring France in and legitimize the Crusade.
Politically Karl was still consolidating his Hungarian inheritance and there had been a quite ease on the border with the Ottomans. Karl technically never declared war on the Ottomans as agreed and therefore could leave the lead role to France, something that didn't receive any complaints from Munich. Rome sent an angry letter to Wilhelm demanding that the Bavarian bloc make a full and public declaration of war against the Ottomans. Wilhelm to his credit acknowledged the Popes frustration but deferred the matter to the Emperor but pledged "Per our agreement holy father, Bavaria will defend the heart of the empire".
On July 28, 1538 the Teutonic Order left the alliance and entered a Military Alliance with Poland, Lithuania and Denmark. A letter was received in Munich from the Order stating the pressure was to high from its larger neighbors and with regret had to leave. It was common knowledge that the Poles manipulated the event in attempt to slight the Bavarian bloc, Wilhelm was not amused and he sent no reply allowing the silence to speak for him.
On November 15, 1538 an emissary from the Ottoman Empire was received in Munich and through a private agreement a white peace was signed, with the stipulation that it not become public until after the resolution of what was becoming a bloody Crusade. This was perhaps Wilhelm's most dishonorable act as sovereign, he knew he should have committed fully to the Crusade but he had to protect the heart of the Empire, and he had to deal with Poland.
Five years passed and Bavaria continued to grow economically and militarily finally becoming advanced at new siege and field war techniques. On July 1 1543 Denmark invaded what was left of the Duchy of Holstein. This would prove to be yet another event of fate that would smile on Bavaria. First Poland dishonored a Military Alliance she had with Lithuania, Denmark and Teutonic Order. Then Lithuania, then the Teutonic Order. No one wanted this war, but after a long drawn out negotiation Poland rejoined the alliance and declared war on Holstein.
On August 5, 1543 Wilhelm sent a letter to the Lithuanians, along with a personal letter from Karl V that requested Lithuania join the Bavarian bloc. Lithuania accepted and now Bavaria stood at the head of the largest alliance in the world, Austria, Venice, Sweden, Bavaria, and Lithuania.
Wilhelm had indeed secured the heart of the empire there was no one who could boast such a mammoth contingent. There were only 4 other powers who could stand up to Munich now and they were: Russia, France, Poland, and the Ottomans. None of which were allied with the other.
By the end of 1546 the Ottomans had been routed and wanted to end the crusade against its European holdings. The Pope, Wilhelm as head of the Bavarian bloc alliance, and Karl V the Holy Roman emperor began the negotiations and made a settlement with the Ottomans that removed any Ottoman threat to Europe for years to come. First a White Peace was signed between Ottoman Empire and Venice. Then the Ottoman Empire accepted peace with Papal States on the following terms Cyprus to Tuscany & Napoli to Papal States.
Then it was Austria's turn, Austria accepted peace with Ottoman Empire on the following terms : Serbia to Austria, Magyar to Austria, Maros to Austria, Banat to Austria & Pest to Austria. Bavaria received no land in the deal but fulfilled its duty to the Pope and to the Hapsburgs by defending the empire, in addition Austria was extended south and couldn't hope to have a two front war against Bavaria now which was always a concern for Wilhelm, and Bavaria was now the head of an alliance that surrounded a weakened Poland.
At the start of 1547 Wilhelm convened his ministers and made a simple yet direct proclamation. "It is time to devise the means, and plans necessary to crush Poland and extend Bavarian influence to the Oder" Everyone knew it was coming, Bavaria was going to go to war.
Thanks, for those that care, next update should be around Wed, with a screenie posted to my Tripod site.
Odin
Chapter X "The battle for the Oder 1547-1550"
Wilhelm had made up his mind and ordered the immediate termination of diplomacy with Poland, in addition the Army was reorganized and renamed into 3 major army groups, each with supporting regiments. In total the Bavarian forces would surpass 85,000 men, most of which died in one of the most costly wars in Bavarian history.
On January 16, 1547 Bavaria declared war upon Poland and Denmark. Venice dishonored the alliance with the Bavarian bloc, as did Sweden. Lithuania, and Austria joined the war on the same side as Bavaria in their war against Poland and Denmark. Wilhelm anticipated that Sweden would not join, he knew they couldn’t afford the expenditure and had to keep relations with Denmark good, Venice was another matter, Wilhelm had hoped that having and Italian ally may induce the pope and France to throw support behind the war.
February 3, 1547 the former Baden regiment renamed, the Würzburg Army arrived in Brandenburg totaling 20,000 men and 300 siege cannons. Waiting were 17,000 polish regulars the battle that ensued was bloody. Polish reinforcements came from the Pommernes leaving Holstein, and Mecklenburg undefended.
Seizing the moment the new Alsace Army comprised of the former Hessen regiment, and with new men from Saxony and Kleves attacked North through Austrian principalities. On February 21, 1547 Alsace Army has arrived in Mecklemburg and found it undefended. The Alsace Army was responsible for Holstein, Mecklenburg and the Pommern provinces. Wilhelm had decreed that those four provinces in addition to Brandenburg, Erz, Sudenten, Bohemia, Silesia and Moravia were to be conquered and were to be held as part of the new Bavarian empire stretching to the Oder.
It was ambitious, know one thought that Poland would fold even facing such a massive invasion from 3 major powers. What Wilhelm never anticipated was that Lithuanian and Austrian support for the war wasn’t as strong as hoped for and they only offered a token force.
After weeks of bloody fighting on February 21, 1547 the Wurzburg Army defeated Poland in Brandenburg and initiated a siege. It cost 4000 Bavarian men, but the new siege cannons had routed the Poles sending nearly 7,000 men to their maker. On
March 1, 1547 the third phase of the assault began. The Army of Bayern arrived in Sudeten and initiated a siege. Having 15,000 men and 15,000 more in reserve the Army of Bayern was split, its primary assignment was to take Sudeten, Erz and Bohemia, then reunite and move on Morovia and Silesia.
March 6, 1547 what was left of the Polish army outside of Brandenburg launched a counter attack, with fresh recruits from Danzig. The Wurzburg Army defeated the attackers deciecively and what was left of the Polish forces moved behind the Oder and took up defensive positions.
8,000 Polish men garrisoned in Bohemia moved on Sudeten and were defeated in a muddy rainstorm. The soldiers were just garrison forces and were slaughtered by the professional Bavarian force. The tactic used was referred to as the "double door slamming" The main Bavarian force drew up a defensive line and prepared for a frontal assault. The Poles had 2500 horsemen and were confident that a single charge would break the Bavarian infantry.
What they hadn’t calculated was that the Bavarian forces were stretched out like a U, the two lines to either side of the center very thin, sparse and overstretched in apperance. Upon seeing the charge the lines quickly closed ranks, making the former U shape formation more like two doors on a hinge. Upon seeing an orange and yellow flag being raised from the commander of the center, the doors began to slam closed. The move enveloped the charging Poles and the doors were slammed shut, the Poles were surrounded on every side and slaughtered.
It was assumed in the field that the Poles would attempt to break Bavarian forces at Sudenten that would have given them a direct assault point into Bavarian lands. Once it was quelled the second half of the Army of Bayern, the Württemberg Regiment moved into Erz and laid siege unopposed. On April 20, 1547 a small contingent from Holstein attacked in Mecklemburg and were crushed by the Army of Alsace.
Denmark had no army to assist Poland and it seemed the North would fall very easily. Wilhelm in his haste had received the reports from the field and ordered that once the North was consolidated that the Army of Alsace should continue along the coast until it reached Danzig, this order would prove a crucial mistake.
October 1, 1547 The Army of Bayern captured the province of Sudeten from Poland. A few days later Mecklemburg fell. A regiment from the Wurzburg army split from the main force and began a siege of Küstrin. The Army of Wurzburg orders were to hold the crucial province of Brandenburg and if it could press further into Polish lands all the better, although Brandenburg hadn’t fallen it was ordered by commanders to assault Kustrin.
Wilhelm wasn’t pleased, but afforded his generals leeway, they knew the situation better then he, yet he was convinced that Brandenburg should fall and be consolidated first before a further investment east to Kustrin.
November 3, 1547 The Army of Bayern per their orders arrived in Bohemia and initiated a siege in Bohemia. Later that month on November 18, 1547 the Alsace Army has arrived in Vorpommern and initiated a siege. Things were going well and according to the battle plan that had been meticulously devised in Munich. The conquest was by Wilhelm’s estimation a quarter of the way completed, in only a years time. Originally it was thought that it would take at least 5 years to complete the conquest but hopes were running high now, the Northern campaign was moving faster then anyone had anticipated.
Then, one of many unforeseen circumstances arose; on January 30, 1548 Lithuania declared war on the Teutonic Order. Austria joined the war, so did Bavaria. Wilhelm needed Lithuania so Poland wouldn’t commit fully to their western front. This declaration put into question the Lithuanian commitment to the Polish campaign.
It was never a doubt that they were hesitant but the declaration confirmed that Lithuania was just along in name alone, Wilhelm pledged the same and that not one Bavarian soldier would step foot in the Orders lands.
On February 26, 1548 Mecklemburg was besieged by Poland. Wilhelm had miscalculated, the Poles had sent 30,000 men to recapture the trade center and suddenly the Northern war was now Bavaria's biggest threat. Mecklenburg was a crucial province to hold, Wilhelm needed the prestige of the trade center and the income, it seemed it was for not and would tarnish the campaign should the province fall.
Things brightened with spring, on April 28, 1548 The Wurttemberg Regiment captured the province of Erz from Poland, and immediately moved to Bohemia to assist in the siege with the main army. On May 14, 1548 the province of Küstrin was captured from Poland. A gratifying result to the deviation of the plan. The Wurtzemburg army was still invested in Brandenburg, Berlin was becoming a very difficult siege.
Given developments to the North it was now crucial to penetrate deeper East and hurt Poland as much as possible in case things become dyer and Polish forces made it to the former Saxon provinces, at the very least Wilhelm would have more leverage in a settlement.
On June 8, 1548 the Army of Alsace arrived in Hinterpommern and initiated a siege in Hinterpommern. 2 days later on June 10, 1548 Bavaria accepted peace with Denmark on the following terms: Denmark pays 7$ in indemnities. Denmark wanted out of the war and the concession couldn’t have come at a better time. Wilhelm was fearful of a Dane investment into the Northern front, it could have compromised the entire conquest, thankfully the Danes were in abysmal shape at home and couldn’t afford to raise an army much less outfit it for combat.
Finally on October 13, 1548 Brandenburg fell, then after a short siege on December 18, 1548 Vorpommern fell. On December 23, 1548 Bavaria lost control over Mecklemburg to Poland. Despite the loss the gains in the east were mounting, and slowly Bavaria was winning the war. Mecklemburg was a crucial part of the strategy, Wilhelm had prayed it would hold, but the Poles to their credit knew where to invest the bulk of their troops.
January 8, 1549 it seemed Bohemia would fall any day and per orders the Wurttemberg Regiment of the Bayern Army arrived in Silesia and engaged hostile armies. It was a rout, the Poles didn’t stand a chance, a siege began and two months later on March 11, 1549 Bavaria captured the province of Bohemia from Poland
After regrouping, on March 30, 1549 the Army of Bayern arrived in Moravia and initiated a siege. Again the Poles attacked, it was a mere 5000 men against a battle hardened 17,000 Bavarian regulars. The battle ended quickly with the Poles falling back to their capital. The peasants were fleeing, and it seemed certain that Poland would have to make a deal or be crushed.
Yet the North was still an open sore, no one knew if Krakow had received any reports or not the war was spread out over a vast distance. On April 3, 1549 Poland invaded into Moravia again and were defeated. The remaining poles fled to the capital and within the year both Moravia and Silesia were captured from Poland.
The Army of Alsace moved into Holstein and on February 4, 1550 began a siege. An additional new regiment of 10000 men to be assigned to the Army of Bayern were ordered to assault in Galizien, then reinforce in Bohemia. On February 21, 1550 a siege in Galizien was initiated and things seemed to be going well. On March 7, 1550 Wilhelm died, Albrecht V took the seat of power in Munich.
Albrecht had been fully engaged in the war with Poland, but he lacked the conviction of Wilhelm. Albrecht realized that the initial battle plan was too ambitious and would require a commitment from Lithuanian and Austria that hadn’t come. It was Bavaria against Poland and Albrecht decided against the judgment of his advisors to begin the process of peace and consolidate his gains.
On April 1, 1550 the Teutonic Order accepted Albrecht’s offer for a white peace. With the death of Wilhelm the Bavarian empire was beginning to stir with talk of rebellion. Dissention was high, some knew Albrecht didn’t have the stomach for war and the peace with the Order was symbolic of his desire to achieve peace and not commit anymore Bavarian men to war.
The Pope had sent a missive confirming his commitment to the Bavarian position of defender of the Heart of the Empire, but urged a casement of hostilities. Bavaria was in the middle of a religious revolution and the Pope thought it best for Munich to focus on domestic issues. Everyone was becoming leery of the Protestants and Albrecht was devoted to the Catholic faith and agreed his first priority should be to rebuild Bavaria after years of war and religious turmoil.
On September 5, 1550 Poland and Bavaria signed a truce that gave Bavaria ruler ship over 4 new provinces. Brandenburg, Erz, Sudenten, and Bohemia. Praque would be very hard to hold it was clearly completely a Checz culture but Albrecht had ended the war and come out of it with a sizeable addition to his empire. However many felt the war was a failure, Bavaria did not stretch to the Oder, and Mecklenburg was not captured.
Albrecht had his work cut out for him, his nation was near revolt, the peasants were pressing for reforms in the church and many of his provinces were converting to Protestant. Albrecht V was not a superior man, he had limitations but he knew he had to focus on Bavaria, rebuild it, absorb his new holdings and maintain his place in the Holy Roman Empire.
**Authors Note: this session garnished me 2 chapters, the screen shot will be posted after the next update coming soon**
Wilhelm had made up his mind and ordered the immediate termination of diplomacy with Poland, in addition the Army was reorganized and renamed into 3 major army groups, each with supporting regiments. In total the Bavarian forces would surpass 85,000 men, most of which died in one of the most costly wars in Bavarian history.
On January 16, 1547 Bavaria declared war upon Poland and Denmark. Venice dishonored the alliance with the Bavarian bloc, as did Sweden. Lithuania, and Austria joined the war on the same side as Bavaria in their war against Poland and Denmark. Wilhelm anticipated that Sweden would not join, he knew they couldn’t afford the expenditure and had to keep relations with Denmark good, Venice was another matter, Wilhelm had hoped that having and Italian ally may induce the pope and France to throw support behind the war.
February 3, 1547 the former Baden regiment renamed, the Würzburg Army arrived in Brandenburg totaling 20,000 men and 300 siege cannons. Waiting were 17,000 polish regulars the battle that ensued was bloody. Polish reinforcements came from the Pommernes leaving Holstein, and Mecklenburg undefended.
Seizing the moment the new Alsace Army comprised of the former Hessen regiment, and with new men from Saxony and Kleves attacked North through Austrian principalities. On February 21, 1547 Alsace Army has arrived in Mecklemburg and found it undefended. The Alsace Army was responsible for Holstein, Mecklenburg and the Pommern provinces. Wilhelm had decreed that those four provinces in addition to Brandenburg, Erz, Sudenten, Bohemia, Silesia and Moravia were to be conquered and were to be held as part of the new Bavarian empire stretching to the Oder.
It was ambitious, know one thought that Poland would fold even facing such a massive invasion from 3 major powers. What Wilhelm never anticipated was that Lithuanian and Austrian support for the war wasn’t as strong as hoped for and they only offered a token force.
After weeks of bloody fighting on February 21, 1547 the Wurzburg Army defeated Poland in Brandenburg and initiated a siege. It cost 4000 Bavarian men, but the new siege cannons had routed the Poles sending nearly 7,000 men to their maker. On
March 1, 1547 the third phase of the assault began. The Army of Bayern arrived in Sudeten and initiated a siege. Having 15,000 men and 15,000 more in reserve the Army of Bayern was split, its primary assignment was to take Sudeten, Erz and Bohemia, then reunite and move on Morovia and Silesia.
March 6, 1547 what was left of the Polish army outside of Brandenburg launched a counter attack, with fresh recruits from Danzig. The Wurzburg Army defeated the attackers deciecively and what was left of the Polish forces moved behind the Oder and took up defensive positions.
8,000 Polish men garrisoned in Bohemia moved on Sudeten and were defeated in a muddy rainstorm. The soldiers were just garrison forces and were slaughtered by the professional Bavarian force. The tactic used was referred to as the "double door slamming" The main Bavarian force drew up a defensive line and prepared for a frontal assault. The Poles had 2500 horsemen and were confident that a single charge would break the Bavarian infantry.
What they hadn’t calculated was that the Bavarian forces were stretched out like a U, the two lines to either side of the center very thin, sparse and overstretched in apperance. Upon seeing the charge the lines quickly closed ranks, making the former U shape formation more like two doors on a hinge. Upon seeing an orange and yellow flag being raised from the commander of the center, the doors began to slam closed. The move enveloped the charging Poles and the doors were slammed shut, the Poles were surrounded on every side and slaughtered.
It was assumed in the field that the Poles would attempt to break Bavarian forces at Sudenten that would have given them a direct assault point into Bavarian lands. Once it was quelled the second half of the Army of Bayern, the Württemberg Regiment moved into Erz and laid siege unopposed. On April 20, 1547 a small contingent from Holstein attacked in Mecklemburg and were crushed by the Army of Alsace.
Denmark had no army to assist Poland and it seemed the North would fall very easily. Wilhelm in his haste had received the reports from the field and ordered that once the North was consolidated that the Army of Alsace should continue along the coast until it reached Danzig, this order would prove a crucial mistake.
October 1, 1547 The Army of Bayern captured the province of Sudeten from Poland. A few days later Mecklemburg fell. A regiment from the Wurzburg army split from the main force and began a siege of Küstrin. The Army of Wurzburg orders were to hold the crucial province of Brandenburg and if it could press further into Polish lands all the better, although Brandenburg hadn’t fallen it was ordered by commanders to assault Kustrin.
Wilhelm wasn’t pleased, but afforded his generals leeway, they knew the situation better then he, yet he was convinced that Brandenburg should fall and be consolidated first before a further investment east to Kustrin.
November 3, 1547 The Army of Bayern per their orders arrived in Bohemia and initiated a siege in Bohemia. Later that month on November 18, 1547 the Alsace Army has arrived in Vorpommern and initiated a siege. Things were going well and according to the battle plan that had been meticulously devised in Munich. The conquest was by Wilhelm’s estimation a quarter of the way completed, in only a years time. Originally it was thought that it would take at least 5 years to complete the conquest but hopes were running high now, the Northern campaign was moving faster then anyone had anticipated.
Then, one of many unforeseen circumstances arose; on January 30, 1548 Lithuania declared war on the Teutonic Order. Austria joined the war, so did Bavaria. Wilhelm needed Lithuania so Poland wouldn’t commit fully to their western front. This declaration put into question the Lithuanian commitment to the Polish campaign.
It was never a doubt that they were hesitant but the declaration confirmed that Lithuania was just along in name alone, Wilhelm pledged the same and that not one Bavarian soldier would step foot in the Orders lands.
On February 26, 1548 Mecklemburg was besieged by Poland. Wilhelm had miscalculated, the Poles had sent 30,000 men to recapture the trade center and suddenly the Northern war was now Bavaria's biggest threat. Mecklenburg was a crucial province to hold, Wilhelm needed the prestige of the trade center and the income, it seemed it was for not and would tarnish the campaign should the province fall.
Things brightened with spring, on April 28, 1548 The Wurttemberg Regiment captured the province of Erz from Poland, and immediately moved to Bohemia to assist in the siege with the main army. On May 14, 1548 the province of Küstrin was captured from Poland. A gratifying result to the deviation of the plan. The Wurtzemburg army was still invested in Brandenburg, Berlin was becoming a very difficult siege.
Given developments to the North it was now crucial to penetrate deeper East and hurt Poland as much as possible in case things become dyer and Polish forces made it to the former Saxon provinces, at the very least Wilhelm would have more leverage in a settlement.
On June 8, 1548 the Army of Alsace arrived in Hinterpommern and initiated a siege in Hinterpommern. 2 days later on June 10, 1548 Bavaria accepted peace with Denmark on the following terms: Denmark pays 7$ in indemnities. Denmark wanted out of the war and the concession couldn’t have come at a better time. Wilhelm was fearful of a Dane investment into the Northern front, it could have compromised the entire conquest, thankfully the Danes were in abysmal shape at home and couldn’t afford to raise an army much less outfit it for combat.
Finally on October 13, 1548 Brandenburg fell, then after a short siege on December 18, 1548 Vorpommern fell. On December 23, 1548 Bavaria lost control over Mecklemburg to Poland. Despite the loss the gains in the east were mounting, and slowly Bavaria was winning the war. Mecklemburg was a crucial part of the strategy, Wilhelm had prayed it would hold, but the Poles to their credit knew where to invest the bulk of their troops.
January 8, 1549 it seemed Bohemia would fall any day and per orders the Wurttemberg Regiment of the Bayern Army arrived in Silesia and engaged hostile armies. It was a rout, the Poles didn’t stand a chance, a siege began and two months later on March 11, 1549 Bavaria captured the province of Bohemia from Poland
After regrouping, on March 30, 1549 the Army of Bayern arrived in Moravia and initiated a siege. Again the Poles attacked, it was a mere 5000 men against a battle hardened 17,000 Bavarian regulars. The battle ended quickly with the Poles falling back to their capital. The peasants were fleeing, and it seemed certain that Poland would have to make a deal or be crushed.
Yet the North was still an open sore, no one knew if Krakow had received any reports or not the war was spread out over a vast distance. On April 3, 1549 Poland invaded into Moravia again and were defeated. The remaining poles fled to the capital and within the year both Moravia and Silesia were captured from Poland.
The Army of Alsace moved into Holstein and on February 4, 1550 began a siege. An additional new regiment of 10000 men to be assigned to the Army of Bayern were ordered to assault in Galizien, then reinforce in Bohemia. On February 21, 1550 a siege in Galizien was initiated and things seemed to be going well. On March 7, 1550 Wilhelm died, Albrecht V took the seat of power in Munich.
Albrecht had been fully engaged in the war with Poland, but he lacked the conviction of Wilhelm. Albrecht realized that the initial battle plan was too ambitious and would require a commitment from Lithuanian and Austria that hadn’t come. It was Bavaria against Poland and Albrecht decided against the judgment of his advisors to begin the process of peace and consolidate his gains.
On April 1, 1550 the Teutonic Order accepted Albrecht’s offer for a white peace. With the death of Wilhelm the Bavarian empire was beginning to stir with talk of rebellion. Dissention was high, some knew Albrecht didn’t have the stomach for war and the peace with the Order was symbolic of his desire to achieve peace and not commit anymore Bavarian men to war.
The Pope had sent a missive confirming his commitment to the Bavarian position of defender of the Heart of the Empire, but urged a casement of hostilities. Bavaria was in the middle of a religious revolution and the Pope thought it best for Munich to focus on domestic issues. Everyone was becoming leery of the Protestants and Albrecht was devoted to the Catholic faith and agreed his first priority should be to rebuild Bavaria after years of war and religious turmoil.
On September 5, 1550 Poland and Bavaria signed a truce that gave Bavaria ruler ship over 4 new provinces. Brandenburg, Erz, Sudenten, and Bohemia. Praque would be very hard to hold it was clearly completely a Checz culture but Albrecht had ended the war and come out of it with a sizeable addition to his empire. However many felt the war was a failure, Bavaria did not stretch to the Oder, and Mecklenburg was not captured.
Albrecht had his work cut out for him, his nation was near revolt, the peasants were pressing for reforms in the church and many of his provinces were converting to Protestant. Albrecht V was not a superior man, he had limitations but he knew he had to focus on Bavaria, rebuild it, absorb his new holdings and maintain his place in the Holy Roman Empire.
**Authors Note: this session garnished me 2 chapters, the screen shot will be posted after the next update coming soon**
Chapter XI "Dissention in the ranks"
Settling with Poland had enraged many Bavarian's and further stoked dissent in the mounting Protestant provinces of the Heart of the Holy Roman Empire. Albrecht was nervous, there was talk of revolt everywhere, dissent was at its pique in 1550. Still the business of government had to be conducted. The month of October saw the redistribution of Bavarian forces.
Albrecht wisely chose to maintain 3 main armies for the defense of the empire. The Wurtzemburg army arrived in Brandenburg and was to garrison and rebuild Berlin. On October 27, 1550 the army of Alsace arrived in Anhalt to secure the Northern provinces and the heart of Bavaria. The main Bavarian force, the Army of Bayern arrived in Bohemia and would settle in to secure the Bavarian eastern front.
from Ernst to Wilhelm every Bavarian noble had regarded the Swiss with dignity and respect. On November 1, 1550 The people of Helvetia declared independence from Austria, and declared war upon Austria. Lithuania dishonored the Military Alliance and it was whispered that a conspiracy between the Swiss and the Lithuanians had been hatched.
Lithuania wanted out of the Bavarian bloc alliance, there was a large contingent of poles living side by side with Lithuanians and they had never supported the war. This was their chance, and Albrecht fumed, there was little he could do about it, but the Swiss had deliberately undermined a Bavarian alliance and for that Wilhelm decided to make them pay.
On November 11, 1550 Bavaria joined the war on the same side as Austria in their war against Helvetia on the condition that Bavaria be allowed to handle the matter solely. The Hapsburgs leaped at the chance, Austria was pressed elsewhere and had decided it was time to move on from the Swiss.
Albrecht enthusiastically took up the herald for the Bavarian bloc, most saw this in sharp contradiction to his prior edicts of peace with Poland, to others it was clear Albrecht would make and example out of the weak and undermanned Swiss to let every dissenting voice in the realm know, if he needed to Albrecht could wage war. .
On Christmas day, despite protests from France a new Baden regiment arrived in Schwyz and initiated a siege. The Swiss had no standing army and the 10,000 man Baden regiment had an easy go of the siege. These men were green and inexperienced, the siege was a slaughter of appalling proportions, something Albrecht had ordered himself, the Swiss were to be punished for their deceptions.
6 more months of war was all that Bavaria could take, on July 1, 1551 The peasants in Hessen revolted. July 22, 1551 the Alsace Army arrived in Hessen and crushed the revolution, businesses were damaged, towns looted and the populace was angry
On October 2, 1551 Lithuania rejoined the Bavarian bloc under a direct threat from Albrecht. He was not amused at the situation with the Swiss but everyone knew he was mainly bluster, he had no stomach for war and was simply attempting to secure his polish gains.
It worked, for now Bavaria had an ally on Poland's East and any thoughts of reclaiming polish territories from the War for the Oder would come at a price, or so Albrecht hoped. The situation in Bavaria had gone from bad to worse, dissent was at a hysterical pitch. Protests in the streets shut down businesses and reduced tax revenue, the populace were tired of war, and demanding religious freedoms.
Finally on January 25, 1552 the Baden regiment captured the province of Schwyz. A month later February 23, 1552 the Baden regiment arrived in Bern and initiated a siege. Albrecht wanted all of the Swiss lands and their subjecation seemed inevitable. After fighting valiantly for over a year, Bern fell. March 23, 1553 Helvetia accepted peace with Bavaria. Helvetia became a Bavarian Vassal, and Schwyz became a Bavarian province. Bern was robbed of all its gold and the populace was left destitute, indeed Albrecht exacted a heavy toll.
The news didn't go over well in the empire, on October 1, 1553 The peasants in Würzburg revolted and were crushed, at another crippling cost to the economy. January 1, 1554 The peasants in Hessen revolted and the insurrection was put down. Albrecht was beside himself and hunkered down for a long drawn out battle with the populace.
The "Duchy of the Rhine" had evolved into an empire he wouldn't be known as the monarch who lost it. Bavaria was lagging in every aspect of society and science to the larger nations like Austria and France, to the end that Albrecht told ministers privately that it would take a 50 year investment to rebuild Bavaria into one unified people capable of sustaning itself without Austrian support.
September 30, 1556 Austria went with Give all the possessions to Filip in The Abdication of Charles V. Half of the Austrian empire suddenly became Spanish. To say that Munich was shocked would be an understatement, the Northern provinces were now under Spanish rule, it was assumed that the Dutch would revolt in short order. Many at court begged Albrecht to seize the moment and declare war, Albrecht knew that even at court there were many who wanted to see his downfall.
A declaration of war now would be in direct conflict with the Hapsburgs and would compromise the Bavarian position. He declined, but on July 13, 1557 Austria declared war upon Siebenbürgen. Lithuania, and Bavaria joined the war and once again the Bavarian bloc was on the move. Albrecht assumed it would be a fast conquest, Wein had been having problems in all their conquered provinces and Siebenbürgen had virtually no chance alone.
Then Spain joined the war on the same side as Siebenbürgen, Portugal joined the war shortly after and the dynamic of this small consolidation by the Austrians left Albrecht perplexed. Should he have declared war on Spain and moved North? IT was a gamble that he didn't take and for years it would plaque him and damper his confidence as a ruler.
December 27, 1557 Siebenbürgen accepted a white peace with Bavaria, effectively absolving Munich of any liability in a long war with Spain. Most didn't understand, indirectly Albrecht was now at war with Spain and could move North. The man cowered he was afraid of loosing power and dissent.
Bavaria lost one of its better chances at expansion in the last 20 years. January 14, 1558 : Siebenbürgen accepted peace with Austria on the following terms : Full Annexation of Siebenbürgen. Later in the year on September 24, 1558 Austria accepted peace with Spain on the following terms : Geldre to Austria & Zeeland to Austria reclaiming some of its Dutch holdings.
Years flew by and Bavaria remained meyered in political and religious dissent, Munich was flooded constantly with diplomats, merchants, dignitaries the Empire was truly a mess. On March 1, 1564 : The people of Netherlands declared independence from Spain and declared war.
Later that year Maximilian II rose to the throne in Austria, and was elected emperor. Albrecht supported him, as was now tradition it seemed through good times and bad Bavaria and Austria would stand side by side in all matters. Albrecht was convinced that Bavaria should remain Catholic, and even harbored fantasies of one of his children being coronated emperor in Munich.
Things began to change for the worse for Albrecht, on March 4, 1567 Lithuania went with Poland inherits Lithuania in The Act of Union with Poland. Lithuania became Vassals of Poland and immediately left the Bavarian bloc. This was not completely unexpected, the last 5 years the dynamics of Eastern Europe had changed, Lithuania needed the move to secure itself against an ever expanding Russia.
During the 5 year period, the Bavarian bloc expanded to include Helvetia and the former Teutonic Order, now named for its new regents Courland. France to the West allied to the Pope, Poland and Lithuania to the east, and Bavaria and Austria in the middle, Europe was getting smaller by the day.
June 4, 1567 Netherlands became Vassals of Spain, and a new commercial empire was slowly rising. By the start of 1569 Courland had left the Bavarian bloc and had begun a war with Poland and Lithuania. Albrecht in his haste began to consider strategic alternatives and although they were in abysmal shape an invitation went to Denmark and it was accepted.
As 1569 started Denmark, Austria, Helvetia and Bavaria were a patch work alliance, one that had serious religious and political issues and one that was in serious risk of collapse constantly due to the dissent in the Bavarian heartland, and the quest of the common man to have religious freedom. Albrecht would never leave the yolk of the Holy Roman Empire but many in his lands were ready to leave it without him.
http://odin1970.tripod.com/therealmofasgard/id11.html
"The Duchy of the Rhine 1569"
Settling with Poland had enraged many Bavarian's and further stoked dissent in the mounting Protestant provinces of the Heart of the Holy Roman Empire. Albrecht was nervous, there was talk of revolt everywhere, dissent was at its pique in 1550. Still the business of government had to be conducted. The month of October saw the redistribution of Bavarian forces.
Albrecht wisely chose to maintain 3 main armies for the defense of the empire. The Wurtzemburg army arrived in Brandenburg and was to garrison and rebuild Berlin. On October 27, 1550 the army of Alsace arrived in Anhalt to secure the Northern provinces and the heart of Bavaria. The main Bavarian force, the Army of Bayern arrived in Bohemia and would settle in to secure the Bavarian eastern front.
from Ernst to Wilhelm every Bavarian noble had regarded the Swiss with dignity and respect. On November 1, 1550 The people of Helvetia declared independence from Austria, and declared war upon Austria. Lithuania dishonored the Military Alliance and it was whispered that a conspiracy between the Swiss and the Lithuanians had been hatched.
Lithuania wanted out of the Bavarian bloc alliance, there was a large contingent of poles living side by side with Lithuanians and they had never supported the war. This was their chance, and Albrecht fumed, there was little he could do about it, but the Swiss had deliberately undermined a Bavarian alliance and for that Wilhelm decided to make them pay.
On November 11, 1550 Bavaria joined the war on the same side as Austria in their war against Helvetia on the condition that Bavaria be allowed to handle the matter solely. The Hapsburgs leaped at the chance, Austria was pressed elsewhere and had decided it was time to move on from the Swiss.
Albrecht enthusiastically took up the herald for the Bavarian bloc, most saw this in sharp contradiction to his prior edicts of peace with Poland, to others it was clear Albrecht would make and example out of the weak and undermanned Swiss to let every dissenting voice in the realm know, if he needed to Albrecht could wage war. .
On Christmas day, despite protests from France a new Baden regiment arrived in Schwyz and initiated a siege. The Swiss had no standing army and the 10,000 man Baden regiment had an easy go of the siege. These men were green and inexperienced, the siege was a slaughter of appalling proportions, something Albrecht had ordered himself, the Swiss were to be punished for their deceptions.
6 more months of war was all that Bavaria could take, on July 1, 1551 The peasants in Hessen revolted. July 22, 1551 the Alsace Army arrived in Hessen and crushed the revolution, businesses were damaged, towns looted and the populace was angry
On October 2, 1551 Lithuania rejoined the Bavarian bloc under a direct threat from Albrecht. He was not amused at the situation with the Swiss but everyone knew he was mainly bluster, he had no stomach for war and was simply attempting to secure his polish gains.
It worked, for now Bavaria had an ally on Poland's East and any thoughts of reclaiming polish territories from the War for the Oder would come at a price, or so Albrecht hoped. The situation in Bavaria had gone from bad to worse, dissent was at a hysterical pitch. Protests in the streets shut down businesses and reduced tax revenue, the populace were tired of war, and demanding religious freedoms.
Finally on January 25, 1552 the Baden regiment captured the province of Schwyz. A month later February 23, 1552 the Baden regiment arrived in Bern and initiated a siege. Albrecht wanted all of the Swiss lands and their subjecation seemed inevitable. After fighting valiantly for over a year, Bern fell. March 23, 1553 Helvetia accepted peace with Bavaria. Helvetia became a Bavarian Vassal, and Schwyz became a Bavarian province. Bern was robbed of all its gold and the populace was left destitute, indeed Albrecht exacted a heavy toll.
The news didn't go over well in the empire, on October 1, 1553 The peasants in Würzburg revolted and were crushed, at another crippling cost to the economy. January 1, 1554 The peasants in Hessen revolted and the insurrection was put down. Albrecht was beside himself and hunkered down for a long drawn out battle with the populace.
The "Duchy of the Rhine" had evolved into an empire he wouldn't be known as the monarch who lost it. Bavaria was lagging in every aspect of society and science to the larger nations like Austria and France, to the end that Albrecht told ministers privately that it would take a 50 year investment to rebuild Bavaria into one unified people capable of sustaning itself without Austrian support.
September 30, 1556 Austria went with Give all the possessions to Filip in The Abdication of Charles V. Half of the Austrian empire suddenly became Spanish. To say that Munich was shocked would be an understatement, the Northern provinces were now under Spanish rule, it was assumed that the Dutch would revolt in short order. Many at court begged Albrecht to seize the moment and declare war, Albrecht knew that even at court there were many who wanted to see his downfall.
A declaration of war now would be in direct conflict with the Hapsburgs and would compromise the Bavarian position. He declined, but on July 13, 1557 Austria declared war upon Siebenbürgen. Lithuania, and Bavaria joined the war and once again the Bavarian bloc was on the move. Albrecht assumed it would be a fast conquest, Wein had been having problems in all their conquered provinces and Siebenbürgen had virtually no chance alone.
Then Spain joined the war on the same side as Siebenbürgen, Portugal joined the war shortly after and the dynamic of this small consolidation by the Austrians left Albrecht perplexed. Should he have declared war on Spain and moved North? IT was a gamble that he didn't take and for years it would plaque him and damper his confidence as a ruler.
December 27, 1557 Siebenbürgen accepted a white peace with Bavaria, effectively absolving Munich of any liability in a long war with Spain. Most didn't understand, indirectly Albrecht was now at war with Spain and could move North. The man cowered he was afraid of loosing power and dissent.
Bavaria lost one of its better chances at expansion in the last 20 years. January 14, 1558 : Siebenbürgen accepted peace with Austria on the following terms : Full Annexation of Siebenbürgen. Later in the year on September 24, 1558 Austria accepted peace with Spain on the following terms : Geldre to Austria & Zeeland to Austria reclaiming some of its Dutch holdings.
Years flew by and Bavaria remained meyered in political and religious dissent, Munich was flooded constantly with diplomats, merchants, dignitaries the Empire was truly a mess. On March 1, 1564 : The people of Netherlands declared independence from Spain and declared war.
Later that year Maximilian II rose to the throne in Austria, and was elected emperor. Albrecht supported him, as was now tradition it seemed through good times and bad Bavaria and Austria would stand side by side in all matters. Albrecht was convinced that Bavaria should remain Catholic, and even harbored fantasies of one of his children being coronated emperor in Munich.
Things began to change for the worse for Albrecht, on March 4, 1567 Lithuania went with Poland inherits Lithuania in The Act of Union with Poland. Lithuania became Vassals of Poland and immediately left the Bavarian bloc. This was not completely unexpected, the last 5 years the dynamics of Eastern Europe had changed, Lithuania needed the move to secure itself against an ever expanding Russia.
During the 5 year period, the Bavarian bloc expanded to include Helvetia and the former Teutonic Order, now named for its new regents Courland. France to the West allied to the Pope, Poland and Lithuania to the east, and Bavaria and Austria in the middle, Europe was getting smaller by the day.
June 4, 1567 Netherlands became Vassals of Spain, and a new commercial empire was slowly rising. By the start of 1569 Courland had left the Bavarian bloc and had begun a war with Poland and Lithuania. Albrecht in his haste began to consider strategic alternatives and although they were in abysmal shape an invitation went to Denmark and it was accepted.
As 1569 started Denmark, Austria, Helvetia and Bavaria were a patch work alliance, one that had serious religious and political issues and one that was in serious risk of collapse constantly due to the dissent in the Bavarian heartland, and the quest of the common man to have religious freedom. Albrecht would never leave the yolk of the Holy Roman Empire but many in his lands were ready to leave it without him.
http://odin1970.tripod.com/therealmofasgard/id11.html
"The Duchy of the Rhine 1569"
Sounds like turmoil is roiling and bubbling all along the Bavarian empire. Not good. The AAR is great, but the religious turmoil is troublesome....Well I'm sure you'll think of something to quell the issues of religion.
Ouch, nice game going so far judging from your pictures. You might consider tryign to take France down a few pegs though, she looks to be getting a bit to strong for her own good; getting driven out of Germany-proper might give the King soem time to focus upon his own people anyway Good work so far!
Good work so far!
Wow, look at those four Juggernauts - France, Austria, Bavaria, and Poland - thats a very interesting central Europe youve got there! I dont think Ive ever seen a Poland state that large! Very scary.
But I see lone little Venice down there, just begging to be taken! Does it still have the islands, or is it just the city itself?
But I see lone little Venice down there, just begging to be taken! Does it still have the islands, or is it just the city itself?
Thanks for the intrest in the AAR guys.
Amric: Half of my provinces are Protestant, I am keeping the play somewhat historic in the sense im not going to annex Austria, France all that. Right now dissent is around 3-7 percent in various provinces, I just recently get stability up to reasonable. I plan to stay Catholic and see what happens.
Daniel: France is on the hit list, but its alliance with the pope and my commitment to the defense of the Empire's center procludes me from an invasion as far as the spirit of the game goes. Tactically I missed a good shot when Austria had all those Dutch provinces they just lost in Chapter XI I had France on 2 fronts. I am hoping England decides to reclaim some of its continental holdings then I may push through and take german provinces.
Von Bek: Poland is very strong, and Russia is growing as well. the Ottomans were kicked out of europe so Lithuania and Poland are bigger for it. Venice might be a nice target, yes it has its islands. For me I am trying not to get greedy and spoil the historic flavor I have here. Not that my AAR mirors history but I havent really gone nuts and conquered everything I dont plan to either, but I will expand.
Thanks again for the support.
Odin
Amric: Half of my provinces are Protestant, I am keeping the play somewhat historic in the sense im not going to annex Austria, France all that. Right now dissent is around 3-7 percent in various provinces, I just recently get stability up to reasonable. I plan to stay Catholic and see what happens.
Daniel: France is on the hit list, but its alliance with the pope and my commitment to the defense of the Empire's center procludes me from an invasion as far as the spirit of the game goes. Tactically I missed a good shot when Austria had all those Dutch provinces they just lost in Chapter XI I had France on 2 fronts. I am hoping England decides to reclaim some of its continental holdings then I may push through and take german provinces.
Von Bek: Poland is very strong, and Russia is growing as well. the Ottomans were kicked out of europe so Lithuania and Poland are bigger for it. Venice might be a nice target, yes it has its islands. For me I am trying not to get greedy and spoil the historic flavor I have here. Not that my AAR mirors history but I havent really gone nuts and conquered everything I dont plan to either, but I will expand.
Thanks again for the support.
Odin
Chapter XII "The second & third battle for the Oder" 1575-1585
For years Albrecht did nothing but attempt to rebuild the confidence of his people, and for years something always got in the way. The Protestants were stoking dissent all over the realm and Albrecht was virtually helpless to stop it, if he persecuted more dissent, if he left them alone and tolerated more dissent. Finally things bubbled over, on December 1, 1575 the peasants in Schwyz revolted.
Albrecht was frustrated and irrational and decided that a firm hand would be needed to deal with the insurgents. On December 12, 1575 the Baden regiment won a battle against Rebel Scum in Schwyz and massacred the rebels. The message was clear, Bavaria had done its penance for 5 years it was time to establish order and for those opposed they would die for their convictions.
October 25, 1579: Wilhelm V ascended to the throne and Albrecht was no more. Wilhelm was not as enlightened as his namesake and didn’t grasp the impact of civil unrest. Wilhelm was convinced his destiny was to fulfill the claim of Bavarian rule to the Oder, something that would plaque him and Bavaria for years. Wilhelm’s first act of state was to engage the catholic rulers of Spain. January 3, 1580 Bavaria entered a Royal Marriage with Spain. It was a political move that he hoped would strengthen the Catholic nations, Austria and Rome approved and Wilhelm’s reign started with a good political maneuver.
After a year of consolidation, stability and dissent were still high in Bavaria and on January 26, 1581 the peasants in Anhalt revolted. This was a predominately Protestant uprising, the former Saxon provinces were a hotbed for heresy and Wilhelm decided that the full 20,000 man army of Alscae was needed to quell the rebellion and reinforce his rule. February 5, 1581 we won a battle against Rebel Scum in Anhalt, but the survivors were spared on condition that an additional 10 percent tax be paid by each household in Anhalt.
Unfortunately this did little to strengthen Bavarian nationalism and most considered the engagement a stalemate politically.
Then events became so volatile that even the religious zealots in the North of the empire stopped to take head. January 19, 1582: Sweden declared war upon Denmark. Poland joined the war on the same side as Sweden and immediately Denmark called upon its allies in the Bavarian bloc to support it. On January 19, 1582 the full contingent of nations in the bloc joined on, Austria, Helvetia and most importantly Bavaria joined the war on the same side as Denmark. Wilhelm looked at the situation as a chance to redeem Bavaria and take back gains made in the first battle of the Oder.
A battle plan was discussed and advisors at court pressed hard for a quick resolution to the war, at least for Bavarian involvement. The situation in the homeland was to volatile some towns were in open revolt and most agreed Bavaria needed time to recoup from the last war. Wilhelm understood the sentiment but also knew Poland was weak from the last war as well, and the Austrians were more able to press East. It didn’t take long for war to come, the Wurtemburg army stationed in Brandenburg was assaulted first. May 6, 1582 Brandenburg was attacked by hostile armies of Poland.
Clearly Poland wanted command of Berlin and the whole of the province, it was a crucial strategic point and seemingly was the focus of Polish assaults. The battles went back and forth each army not making much headway, slowly the Bavarian army was loosing strength, coupled with an unwilling population to reinforce the 20,000 man strong Wurtemburg army was reduced to 16,000 by May 18.
On June 13, 1582 Polish forces launched a two prong assault from Kurstain, and Vonpommeran, polish troops combined totaled 30,000 men. The assault was brutal and the North gate of Berlin was laid siege. The Wurttemberg army not having knowledge of the assault west from Kurstain moved north and were caught in the rear.
Poland had out maneuvered the entrenched Bavarian army and on July 9, 1582 the first battle of Berlin was lost, Brandenburg was now besieged by Poland. August 5, 1582: Württemberg Army arrived in Erz, with 9,000 men left it was no longer and offensive force. Immediately reinforcements were sent from Bayern but it would take months to reconstitute the Army that was to secure the North and Eastern fronts.
Similar to the first war for the Oder, the Army of Bayern was split and on August 13, 1582 the main body of the Army of Bayern arrived in Silesia and engaged in a siege. The Austrians had moved into Morovia unannounced to the Bavarian army. Wilhelm had not had enough time to send his battle plan to the Hapsburgs and couldn’t communicate that he wanted both Silesia and Morovia. The 2nd Army of Bayern regiment was quickly pulled back to Bohemia and ordered to prepare to reinforce in Silesia if Poland counter attacked or support the Wurttemburg army in the re conquest of Brandenburg.
Additional regiments of the Wurttemburg Army were broken off similar to the strategy in the first war and one moved north, the other East. December 14, 1582 we have engaged hostile armies in Vorpommern, 12 days later the Poles were defeated and a siege began. 3 months later on March 1, 1583 The Army of Bayern captured the province of Silesia from Poland, later that month the second Wurttemburg regiment arrived in Küstrin and initiated a siege.
Although Brandenburg looked ready to fall gains were being made into polish lands and once the Army of Wurttemburg reformed completely it had orders to retake Berlin and move north and take the center of trade in Mecklemburg.
Disaster hit for Bavaria, April 23, 1583: Denmark accepted peace with Poland on the following terms: Holstein to Denmark, Moravia to Austria & Galizien to Austria. Bavaria was given nothing in the settlement. Wilhelm had insisted that at the least Silesia be given to Bavaria and that all Polish troops be removed from Brandenburg, to no avail.
Wilhelm was livid and became irrational claiming publicly that he himself would lead the charge against Poland and then attack Denmark. The Hapsburgs tried to calm the Munich court by offering lands in Moravia, Denmark’s emissary was wrought with fear, he knew that Austria would follow Bavarian lead and that his liege had alienated his most powerful ally. Wilhelm seethed and dismissed the Dane emissary, and subsequently broke the peace treaty brokered by Denmark and declared war against Poland himself.
Stability throughout Bavaria hit bottom, the peasants were in open revolt which Wilhelm order each and every one to be crushed. It seemed as if Wilhelm had snapped and he was sparring no expense, or soul his wrath. Every internal rebellion was crushed, and its leaders burnt at the stake in their respective town squares. The Austrian emissary saw the rage and concluded it was in his nations interest not to contradict Munich’s declaration.
Immediately Austria joined the war and on April 25, 1583 sieges were reinitiated in Silesia, Kurstrin and Vorpommern. Helvetia dishonored the Military Alliance, but surprisingly Denmark joined the war on the same side as Bavaria and Austria in their war against Poland. The Danes needed to mend wounds, but it had cut deep and Bavaria would never forget the slight at the negotiating table by Denmark.
September 18, 1583 a new Saxon regiment arrived in Hinterpommern. The Baden regiment remained in Scwyz to keep order there and the Saxon regiment was comprised of mostly protestant men. A siege in Hinterpommern followed and on Christmas day 1583 Silesia fell. Less then a month later the province of Küstrin was captured from Poland. Wilhelm was not amused and the Poles sued for peace offering Silesia and money, neither was accepted Wilhelm would make every one clearly aware that Bavaria was not to be trifled with.
On February 19, 1584 one of the Wurttemburg regiments arrived in Mecklemburg. And initiated a siege, then on March 13, 1584 a siege was initiated in Poznan.
Poland was desperate they couldn’t sustain the war effort for much longer, and in a move that was hoped to move Bavaria to peace, on April 6, 1584 Poland accepted peace with Austria on the following terms: Poland pays 78$ in indemnities, Podolia to Austria. The Hapsburgs didn’t want any part of this war either, but Wilhelm knew he couldn’t trifle and threaten the Emperor so he paid no attention when a Polish emissary offered Silesia again.
October 6, 1584: Mecklemburg fell, nine months later on February 23, 1585 Bavaria captured the province of Vorpommern from Poland. Wilhelm was insatiable, most thought he had gone mad, but he was convinced this tirade would show the world once and for all that Bavaria was not to be trifled with, and that it was a major player in the dynamics of Europe, not subservient to the Emperor or the Pope.
May 13, 1585 Poznan fell, then we captured the province of Hinterpommern from Poland. The poles had had enough they knew they couldn’t win. On November 24, 1585 Poland accepted peace, Vonpommern, and Mecklemburg to Bavaria for a cessation of all hostilities and all troops removed from Bavarian lands. Wilhelm wanted more but realized that the war was costing him domestically, every month revolts had to be put down. The two additional provinces secured his Northern border to the Oder and brought him the financial center of trade he desperately needed for Bavarian legitimacy, and prosperity.
For years Albrecht did nothing but attempt to rebuild the confidence of his people, and for years something always got in the way. The Protestants were stoking dissent all over the realm and Albrecht was virtually helpless to stop it, if he persecuted more dissent, if he left them alone and tolerated more dissent. Finally things bubbled over, on December 1, 1575 the peasants in Schwyz revolted.
Albrecht was frustrated and irrational and decided that a firm hand would be needed to deal with the insurgents. On December 12, 1575 the Baden regiment won a battle against Rebel Scum in Schwyz and massacred the rebels. The message was clear, Bavaria had done its penance for 5 years it was time to establish order and for those opposed they would die for their convictions.
October 25, 1579: Wilhelm V ascended to the throne and Albrecht was no more. Wilhelm was not as enlightened as his namesake and didn’t grasp the impact of civil unrest. Wilhelm was convinced his destiny was to fulfill the claim of Bavarian rule to the Oder, something that would plaque him and Bavaria for years. Wilhelm’s first act of state was to engage the catholic rulers of Spain. January 3, 1580 Bavaria entered a Royal Marriage with Spain. It was a political move that he hoped would strengthen the Catholic nations, Austria and Rome approved and Wilhelm’s reign started with a good political maneuver.
After a year of consolidation, stability and dissent were still high in Bavaria and on January 26, 1581 the peasants in Anhalt revolted. This was a predominately Protestant uprising, the former Saxon provinces were a hotbed for heresy and Wilhelm decided that the full 20,000 man army of Alscae was needed to quell the rebellion and reinforce his rule. February 5, 1581 we won a battle against Rebel Scum in Anhalt, but the survivors were spared on condition that an additional 10 percent tax be paid by each household in Anhalt.
Unfortunately this did little to strengthen Bavarian nationalism and most considered the engagement a stalemate politically.
Then events became so volatile that even the religious zealots in the North of the empire stopped to take head. January 19, 1582: Sweden declared war upon Denmark. Poland joined the war on the same side as Sweden and immediately Denmark called upon its allies in the Bavarian bloc to support it. On January 19, 1582 the full contingent of nations in the bloc joined on, Austria, Helvetia and most importantly Bavaria joined the war on the same side as Denmark. Wilhelm looked at the situation as a chance to redeem Bavaria and take back gains made in the first battle of the Oder.
A battle plan was discussed and advisors at court pressed hard for a quick resolution to the war, at least for Bavarian involvement. The situation in the homeland was to volatile some towns were in open revolt and most agreed Bavaria needed time to recoup from the last war. Wilhelm understood the sentiment but also knew Poland was weak from the last war as well, and the Austrians were more able to press East. It didn’t take long for war to come, the Wurtemburg army stationed in Brandenburg was assaulted first. May 6, 1582 Brandenburg was attacked by hostile armies of Poland.
Clearly Poland wanted command of Berlin and the whole of the province, it was a crucial strategic point and seemingly was the focus of Polish assaults. The battles went back and forth each army not making much headway, slowly the Bavarian army was loosing strength, coupled with an unwilling population to reinforce the 20,000 man strong Wurtemburg army was reduced to 16,000 by May 18.
On June 13, 1582 Polish forces launched a two prong assault from Kurstain, and Vonpommeran, polish troops combined totaled 30,000 men. The assault was brutal and the North gate of Berlin was laid siege. The Wurttemberg army not having knowledge of the assault west from Kurstain moved north and were caught in the rear.
Poland had out maneuvered the entrenched Bavarian army and on July 9, 1582 the first battle of Berlin was lost, Brandenburg was now besieged by Poland. August 5, 1582: Württemberg Army arrived in Erz, with 9,000 men left it was no longer and offensive force. Immediately reinforcements were sent from Bayern but it would take months to reconstitute the Army that was to secure the North and Eastern fronts.
Similar to the first war for the Oder, the Army of Bayern was split and on August 13, 1582 the main body of the Army of Bayern arrived in Silesia and engaged in a siege. The Austrians had moved into Morovia unannounced to the Bavarian army. Wilhelm had not had enough time to send his battle plan to the Hapsburgs and couldn’t communicate that he wanted both Silesia and Morovia. The 2nd Army of Bayern regiment was quickly pulled back to Bohemia and ordered to prepare to reinforce in Silesia if Poland counter attacked or support the Wurttemburg army in the re conquest of Brandenburg.
Additional regiments of the Wurttemburg Army were broken off similar to the strategy in the first war and one moved north, the other East. December 14, 1582 we have engaged hostile armies in Vorpommern, 12 days later the Poles were defeated and a siege began. 3 months later on March 1, 1583 The Army of Bayern captured the province of Silesia from Poland, later that month the second Wurttemburg regiment arrived in Küstrin and initiated a siege.
Although Brandenburg looked ready to fall gains were being made into polish lands and once the Army of Wurttemburg reformed completely it had orders to retake Berlin and move north and take the center of trade in Mecklemburg.
Disaster hit for Bavaria, April 23, 1583: Denmark accepted peace with Poland on the following terms: Holstein to Denmark, Moravia to Austria & Galizien to Austria. Bavaria was given nothing in the settlement. Wilhelm had insisted that at the least Silesia be given to Bavaria and that all Polish troops be removed from Brandenburg, to no avail.
Wilhelm was livid and became irrational claiming publicly that he himself would lead the charge against Poland and then attack Denmark. The Hapsburgs tried to calm the Munich court by offering lands in Moravia, Denmark’s emissary was wrought with fear, he knew that Austria would follow Bavarian lead and that his liege had alienated his most powerful ally. Wilhelm seethed and dismissed the Dane emissary, and subsequently broke the peace treaty brokered by Denmark and declared war against Poland himself.
Stability throughout Bavaria hit bottom, the peasants were in open revolt which Wilhelm order each and every one to be crushed. It seemed as if Wilhelm had snapped and he was sparring no expense, or soul his wrath. Every internal rebellion was crushed, and its leaders burnt at the stake in their respective town squares. The Austrian emissary saw the rage and concluded it was in his nations interest not to contradict Munich’s declaration.
Immediately Austria joined the war and on April 25, 1583 sieges were reinitiated in Silesia, Kurstrin and Vorpommern. Helvetia dishonored the Military Alliance, but surprisingly Denmark joined the war on the same side as Bavaria and Austria in their war against Poland. The Danes needed to mend wounds, but it had cut deep and Bavaria would never forget the slight at the negotiating table by Denmark.
September 18, 1583 a new Saxon regiment arrived in Hinterpommern. The Baden regiment remained in Scwyz to keep order there and the Saxon regiment was comprised of mostly protestant men. A siege in Hinterpommern followed and on Christmas day 1583 Silesia fell. Less then a month later the province of Küstrin was captured from Poland. Wilhelm was not amused and the Poles sued for peace offering Silesia and money, neither was accepted Wilhelm would make every one clearly aware that Bavaria was not to be trifled with.
On February 19, 1584 one of the Wurttemburg regiments arrived in Mecklemburg. And initiated a siege, then on March 13, 1584 a siege was initiated in Poznan.
Poland was desperate they couldn’t sustain the war effort for much longer, and in a move that was hoped to move Bavaria to peace, on April 6, 1584 Poland accepted peace with Austria on the following terms: Poland pays 78$ in indemnities, Podolia to Austria. The Hapsburgs didn’t want any part of this war either, but Wilhelm knew he couldn’t trifle and threaten the Emperor so he paid no attention when a Polish emissary offered Silesia again.
October 6, 1584: Mecklemburg fell, nine months later on February 23, 1585 Bavaria captured the province of Vorpommern from Poland. Wilhelm was insatiable, most thought he had gone mad, but he was convinced this tirade would show the world once and for all that Bavaria was not to be trifled with, and that it was a major player in the dynamics of Europe, not subservient to the Emperor or the Pope.
May 13, 1585 Poznan fell, then we captured the province of Hinterpommern from Poland. The poles had had enough they knew they couldn’t win. On November 24, 1585 Poland accepted peace, Vonpommern, and Mecklemburg to Bavaria for a cessation of all hostilities and all troops removed from Bavarian lands. Wilhelm wanted more but realized that the war was costing him domestically, every month revolts had to be put down. The two additional provinces secured his Northern border to the Oder and brought him the financial center of trade he desperately needed for Bavarian legitimacy, and prosperity.
Its my fault, I Dowed Poland after Denmark signed the peace treaty, in addition I have lots of protestants in my lands and left over dissent from the last war.
My goal was to stay true to the spirit of the game I created in this AAR, I had to DOW Bavaria not getting anything in that deal as the alliance leader was unaccaptable, if I had gotten Silesia I would have ended it there. the -7 stability hit for the DOW witout a CB and during a peace treaty killed me, half the rebellions I didnt post because it would take to much time.