Interesting concept, this AAR. Yet if you wanted to play the Low Countries, why not conquer them as Gelre? You can then become the Netherlands later on.
-
We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.
You seem to have lost Champagne, now owned by Lorraine. Too bad that land connection isn't there anymore. Though, I dare say, you probably care more for the provinces in the Low Countries rather than your southern ones.
Duke of Wellington: Thank you, and I think an aggressive stance towards France is always fun! 
Nobegow: I dont think Lorraine has a chance!
Lord_D: I'm working on it! lol.
Grundius: I thought that this AAR would be more of a challange, considering that when the time for revolution comes, Spain is going to be the strongest power in Europe, which is going to make breaking away very very difficult. Also, I diddn't realize that Geldre has the option to become the Netherlands later on in the game. lol.
coz1: True that I am more concerned with the North rather than the South since I have broken all ties to the French as far was internal politics go, but it is rather nice to have all core provinces under my control. I guess it is a pride thing! lol.
Nobegow: I dont think Lorraine has a chance!
Lord_D: I'm working on it! lol.
Grundius: I thought that this AAR would be more of a challange, considering that when the time for revolution comes, Spain is going to be the strongest power in Europe, which is going to make breaking away very very difficult. Also, I diddn't realize that Geldre has the option to become the Netherlands later on in the game. lol.
coz1: True that I am more concerned with the North rather than the South since I have broken all ties to the French as far was internal politics go, but it is rather nice to have all core provinces under my control. I guess it is a pride thing! lol.
Chapter 3: The Consolodation of the Low Countries and the Beginnings of Hapsburg Rule
Mary of Burgundy, Daughter of Duke Charles I le Temeraire
March 1, 1441 saw the dukedoms of Lorraine and Burgundy at war with each other. Recently, the province of Champagne was given, by Duke Philip, to Charles VII of France as a coronation gift. However, the citizens of Champagne, having more in common with their Burgundian cousins than with the King of France, did not sit silent long. A rebellion broke out in the province and France, having no way of getting troops there, had not choice but to allow the rebellion to flurish. Not long after the rebellion the Duke of Lorraine pressed his claim on the province, and convinced the rebels to swear allegience to his dukedom. Philip could not sit idely by while the province passed to a lesser noble. And so, war was the only answer.
War with Lorraine
Immediately following the declaration of war, Burgundian troops sprung into action. The war plan was to simultaniously invade Champagne from Artois and Lorraine from Franche-Comte. This would force the armies of Lorriane to make a choice. Either defend their home or defend Champagne. Lorriane decided to protect its home, and thier armies began marching back towards their home province. However, their troops could not move as quickly as the well trained and seasoned veterans of the Burgundian army, and the Brabant regiment met the armies of Lorraine in Champagne in March of 1441. The battle that ensued was quick and decisive. The Burgundians were able to swing the Lorraine line away from Lorriane and forced them to march north into Artois. This left the Bourgogne regiment free to siege Nancy in Lorriane, the location of the Duke of Lorraine's court. Meanwhile, the Lorriane army, which had been reduced from 18000 strong to a mere 2000 soilders and cavalry, posed no real threat to the low countries, so the were left sitting in Artios while the Brabant regiment sieged Reims in Champagne. On October 21, 1441, Reims fell and the surrounded province quickly fell under Burgundian occupation. Immediately following the siege, the Brabant regiment marched north to finish off what was left of the army of Lorraine, and on November 9, 1441, they completely wiped out the army of Lorraine. Novemeber 28, 1441, provided a unique opportunity for Philip. After the successful invasion of Champagne and the war only month from victory, the Duke returned to Brussels to find an interesting proposal waiting for him at court. Luxembourg, Burgundy's neighbor to the east, had recently had a fall out of the leiniage of their royal court. Luxembourg was offering the Duke of Burgundy the opportunity to buy its realms for a small price. Philip waisted no time in accepting the offer, as the purchase of Luxembourg gave him legitimate claim to the province, as well as strengthened his hold on Artois and Holland, since the royal family of Luxembourg held claim to these lands. It was agreed that Luxembourg would pass to the Duke apon the current ruler's death.
The war with Lorraine came to a close on April 19, 1442, with the fall of Nancy to the Bourgogne regiment. Lorraine accepted a humiliating peace with Philip. Champagne was given to the Duke, as well as 100,000 ducats for "the cost of getting back what was rightfully his". Grand celebrations broke out all over the Low Countries and in Champagne itself. Reims was finally in the hands of Burgundy again, and a land connection was made between the North and South. This was especially celebrated by the Burgundian author Lord D. of Pwning, who wrote the celebrated pamphlet "The importance of maintaining a strong connection with the Southern Provinces at the expense of all else."
Europe in 1440, before the war with Lorraine
August 26, 1443, saw the death of the ruler in Luxembourg and the passing of the country into the Duke of Burgundy's hands. The next decade was spent improving the economic conditions of the Low Countires, improving the fortresses that spanned the border with France, and the regulation of the medical proffession occuring in Flanders, Holland, Zeeland, Brabant, Franche-Comte, and Luxembourg. November 8, 1453 saw the introduction of the Burgundian Navy. The first fleet of the navy set sail from Flanders to patrol the waters off the coast of Holland to ensure safe passage for traders and merchants.
Europe in 1451
The 1450's were spent improving relations with Brugundy's neighbors, and maintaining the alliance with Friesland, Geldre, and Kleves. On September 15, 1459, Oldenburg declared war on Geldre, and Burgundy, as well as all of the other allies, jumped to her defense. Oldenburg was soundly defeated and forced to pay the alliance 66,000 ducats on April 22 of 1460.
The 1460's and 1470's brought about the conflict between the French and the Burgundians. In 1460, the relations between the 2 powers were at their highest ever. One of the cousins of Philip the good married a French royal family member on December 5, 1460. With the relations between the French and Burgundians high, Philip took to the opportunity to annex both Geldre, January 7, and Friesland, August 11, in 1461. The Low countries were now under the complete control of Philip, and the economic power of his dukedom was the strongest it had ever been. However, in 1463, a general panic broke out at the Royal Court in Brussels. The news came hard and fast to the court, and there was not a nobleman or noblewoman there who diddn't feel some sort of apprehention or fear towards the furture of the kingdom. On February 14, 1463, Louis XI, King of France, was elected as the Emporer of the Holy Roman Empire. This gave Louis a great claim to Burgundy. Not only was Burgundy still considered a part of the Holy Roman Empire, but Louis also had royal ties to the family through his cousin's marriage into the royal family of Burgundy. The country was now completely surrounded by France, and it seemed like nothing could be done about it. On March 23, 1463, a political crisis broke out in Brussels when a nobleman from Flanders was demanding the Holy Roman Empire hold a new election, as the French were not officially connected to the empire. However, the Duke quickly silenced this noble, fearing that the repercussions of such a demand would be grave. For the remainder of his life, Philip le Bon spent his time organizing his state and consolidating his power. On June 16, 1467, Philip le Bon died in his sleep, and his son, Charles I le Temeraire (the bold), took control of the government in Brussels. Many of the great nobles of Burgundy saw this as a great opportunity for the state, as Charles was one of the most vocal opponents of the French. Immediately, he took steps to counter the rising power of the French. On November 4, the Dukedom of Orleans was brought into the alliance with Burgundy and Kelves, and sealed with a Royal Marriage. Power was futher expanded when, in 1469, the Treaty of St. Omer saw the integration of Baden into Burgundian lands.
Charles also saw to the strengthening of the Burgundian Army. In 1471, the Ordonnace of 1471 was passed, seeing the increase of mercenaries in the armies of Burgundy. This increase in military strength would aide the Burgundians in any future wars with France.
Europe in 1470
France, however, was also gaining ground. On June 4, 1471, after 52 years of exile, the Royal Court of France returned to the city of Pairs after the Parisian rebels finally expelled the French occupation of the city. The moveing of the court north was a sign that French politics were making a shift towards the Low Countries. It was no secret that the French Kings had long gazed upon the great trade center of Antwerp with glutenous eyes. France was making a push north, and the Burgundians were going to have to make a choice. However, in the end, it was not Charles the Bold who would make this decision, rather it was to be made by a person of the fairer sex. The decision would be made on June 12, 1476. Mary of Burgundy would have to choose between the lesser of 2 evils. Louis XI's son Charles, or Maximillian Hapsburg of Austria. Either way, the Burgundians would forever lose their independence. However, to most nobles in the Low Countries, the choice was clear. Better to be a Hapsburg partner, than a Valois slave. And so, Mary made her choice, and the most decisive battle in Burgundian history was set to take place...
Chapter 3
The Consolodation of the Low Countries and the Beginnings of Hapsburg Rule
The Consolodation of the Low Countries and the Beginnings of Hapsburg Rule
Mary of Burgundy, Daughter of Duke Charles I le Temeraire
March 1, 1441 saw the dukedoms of Lorraine and Burgundy at war with each other. Recently, the province of Champagne was given, by Duke Philip, to Charles VII of France as a coronation gift. However, the citizens of Champagne, having more in common with their Burgundian cousins than with the King of France, did not sit silent long. A rebellion broke out in the province and France, having no way of getting troops there, had not choice but to allow the rebellion to flurish. Not long after the rebellion the Duke of Lorraine pressed his claim on the province, and convinced the rebels to swear allegience to his dukedom. Philip could not sit idely by while the province passed to a lesser noble. And so, war was the only answer.
War with Lorraine
Immediately following the declaration of war, Burgundian troops sprung into action. The war plan was to simultaniously invade Champagne from Artois and Lorraine from Franche-Comte. This would force the armies of Lorriane to make a choice. Either defend their home or defend Champagne. Lorriane decided to protect its home, and thier armies began marching back towards their home province. However, their troops could not move as quickly as the well trained and seasoned veterans of the Burgundian army, and the Brabant regiment met the armies of Lorraine in Champagne in March of 1441. The battle that ensued was quick and decisive. The Burgundians were able to swing the Lorraine line away from Lorriane and forced them to march north into Artois. This left the Bourgogne regiment free to siege Nancy in Lorriane, the location of the Duke of Lorraine's court. Meanwhile, the Lorriane army, which had been reduced from 18000 strong to a mere 2000 soilders and cavalry, posed no real threat to the low countries, so the were left sitting in Artios while the Brabant regiment sieged Reims in Champagne. On October 21, 1441, Reims fell and the surrounded province quickly fell under Burgundian occupation. Immediately following the siege, the Brabant regiment marched north to finish off what was left of the army of Lorraine, and on November 9, 1441, they completely wiped out the army of Lorraine. Novemeber 28, 1441, provided a unique opportunity for Philip. After the successful invasion of Champagne and the war only month from victory, the Duke returned to Brussels to find an interesting proposal waiting for him at court. Luxembourg, Burgundy's neighbor to the east, had recently had a fall out of the leiniage of their royal court. Luxembourg was offering the Duke of Burgundy the opportunity to buy its realms for a small price. Philip waisted no time in accepting the offer, as the purchase of Luxembourg gave him legitimate claim to the province, as well as strengthened his hold on Artois and Holland, since the royal family of Luxembourg held claim to these lands. It was agreed that Luxembourg would pass to the Duke apon the current ruler's death.
The war with Lorraine came to a close on April 19, 1442, with the fall of Nancy to the Bourgogne regiment. Lorraine accepted a humiliating peace with Philip. Champagne was given to the Duke, as well as 100,000 ducats for "the cost of getting back what was rightfully his". Grand celebrations broke out all over the Low Countries and in Champagne itself. Reims was finally in the hands of Burgundy again, and a land connection was made between the North and South. This was especially celebrated by the Burgundian author Lord D. of Pwning, who wrote the celebrated pamphlet "The importance of maintaining a strong connection with the Southern Provinces at the expense of all else."
Europe in 1440, before the war with Lorraine
August 26, 1443, saw the death of the ruler in Luxembourg and the passing of the country into the Duke of Burgundy's hands. The next decade was spent improving the economic conditions of the Low Countires, improving the fortresses that spanned the border with France, and the regulation of the medical proffession occuring in Flanders, Holland, Zeeland, Brabant, Franche-Comte, and Luxembourg. November 8, 1453 saw the introduction of the Burgundian Navy. The first fleet of the navy set sail from Flanders to patrol the waters off the coast of Holland to ensure safe passage for traders and merchants.
Europe in 1451
The 1450's were spent improving relations with Brugundy's neighbors, and maintaining the alliance with Friesland, Geldre, and Kleves. On September 15, 1459, Oldenburg declared war on Geldre, and Burgundy, as well as all of the other allies, jumped to her defense. Oldenburg was soundly defeated and forced to pay the alliance 66,000 ducats on April 22 of 1460.
The 1460's and 1470's brought about the conflict between the French and the Burgundians. In 1460, the relations between the 2 powers were at their highest ever. One of the cousins of Philip the good married a French royal family member on December 5, 1460. With the relations between the French and Burgundians high, Philip took to the opportunity to annex both Geldre, January 7, and Friesland, August 11, in 1461. The Low countries were now under the complete control of Philip, and the economic power of his dukedom was the strongest it had ever been. However, in 1463, a general panic broke out at the Royal Court in Brussels. The news came hard and fast to the court, and there was not a nobleman or noblewoman there who diddn't feel some sort of apprehention or fear towards the furture of the kingdom. On February 14, 1463, Louis XI, King of France, was elected as the Emporer of the Holy Roman Empire. This gave Louis a great claim to Burgundy. Not only was Burgundy still considered a part of the Holy Roman Empire, but Louis also had royal ties to the family through his cousin's marriage into the royal family of Burgundy. The country was now completely surrounded by France, and it seemed like nothing could be done about it. On March 23, 1463, a political crisis broke out in Brussels when a nobleman from Flanders was demanding the Holy Roman Empire hold a new election, as the French were not officially connected to the empire. However, the Duke quickly silenced this noble, fearing that the repercussions of such a demand would be grave. For the remainder of his life, Philip le Bon spent his time organizing his state and consolidating his power. On June 16, 1467, Philip le Bon died in his sleep, and his son, Charles I le Temeraire (the bold), took control of the government in Brussels. Many of the great nobles of Burgundy saw this as a great opportunity for the state, as Charles was one of the most vocal opponents of the French. Immediately, he took steps to counter the rising power of the French. On November 4, the Dukedom of Orleans was brought into the alliance with Burgundy and Kelves, and sealed with a Royal Marriage. Power was futher expanded when, in 1469, the Treaty of St. Omer saw the integration of Baden into Burgundian lands.
Charles also saw to the strengthening of the Burgundian Army. In 1471, the Ordonnace of 1471 was passed, seeing the increase of mercenaries in the armies of Burgundy. This increase in military strength would aide the Burgundians in any future wars with France.
Europe in 1470
France, however, was also gaining ground. On June 4, 1471, after 52 years of exile, the Royal Court of France returned to the city of Pairs after the Parisian rebels finally expelled the French occupation of the city. The moveing of the court north was a sign that French politics were making a shift towards the Low Countries. It was no secret that the French Kings had long gazed upon the great trade center of Antwerp with glutenous eyes. France was making a push north, and the Burgundians were going to have to make a choice. However, in the end, it was not Charles the Bold who would make this decision, rather it was to be made by a person of the fairer sex. The decision would be made on June 12, 1476. Mary of Burgundy would have to choose between the lesser of 2 evils. Louis XI's son Charles, or Maximillian Hapsburg of Austria. Either way, the Burgundians would forever lose their independence. However, to most nobles in the Low Countries, the choice was clear. Better to be a Hapsburg partner, than a Valois slave. And so, Mary made her choice, and the most decisive battle in Burgundian history was set to take place...
That inheritance event is hefty. Still, there is a remote chance that you can inherit Spain and become the premier world power (very remote) and that is of course not your goal in the game. It is interesting to read a Burgundy AAR where Burgundy does not become France and the "Charles the Bold never died"-option is not chosen.
Even though I am sure I have seen it a thousand times, a map would be helpful to see Europe after the inheritance.
What I admit I have never seen is the King of France becoming HRE. Never. But it fits perfectly into the story.
What I admit I have never seen is the King of France becoming HRE. Never. But it fits perfectly into the story.
Duke of Wellington said:
Never played Burgundy Duke? You should
. The second choice is about as bad as the first. The last one is by far the best (particularly the part where you stay independent) but is "ahistorical" (not that the second choice would be historical, but that was at least an option at the time), since, well Charles the Bold died.
I've played Burgundy and they are one of the most fun nations I believe. I just can't remember that event. I took Paris early on so France never formed perhaps thats why?
Good Updates...Spanish part of AAR coming I guess
About French King becoming Emperor, I never saw this...However,once, my Louis XI also was Emperor xD
About French King becoming Emperor, I never saw this...However,once, my Louis XI also was Emperor xD
Change of pace
Well, I know this AAR was going well, at least I hope it was, but I am making a little change. I have been searching and found something new that I want to try. So, the AAR will continue, but it is starting over and this time I will only be playing as one country, Gelre. I hope everyone keeps reading. The first post should come soon...
Well, I know this AAR was going well, at least I hope it was, but I am making a little change. I have been searching and found something new that I want to try. So, the AAR will continue, but it is starting over and this time I will only be playing as one country, Gelre. I hope everyone keeps reading. The first post should come soon...
I'll keep following. Good luck with the fresh start. What was the reason for the change?
The Low Countries Will Rise 2
The past few centuries have been good for the Low Countries. Trade has flourished in the Flemish port of Antwerp, low lying lands have been claimed from the sea as the population continues to grow larger, and relative peace and stability have reigned in the region. However, this quaint environment is about to change. The Dukedom of Burgundy is gaining power in the region and is threatening the independence of the nations. Flanders has already fallen, the port of Antwerp along with it. Holland and Brabant have become slaves to the Duke of Burgundy, and the Duke is beginning to claim the entire region as rightfully his. The Northern provinces of Freisland and Gelre are all that stand between Burgundy and complete control of the Netherlands. However, Gelre is proving to be more of a problem that the other nations. Gelre has been gaining wealth and prestige through its dominance in the Antwerp port, as well as trade expeditions throughout the Baltic and North seas. It is up to Gelre to save the Netherlands from immenant distruction. And who knows...perhaps one day, Gelre itself shall become a dominant power on the European Continent, as well as the world? Only time will tell...
Note: I am going to change my style of play to controlling only the nation of Gelre. When the time to switch came b4, all hell broke loose as the computer completely screwed Spain b4 I got there. The entire continent fell apart. It was actually quite lame, to tell the truth. No fun at all. However, I feel that this one will be more fun! Im playing normal/weakling, end in 1819. I hope everyone enjoys. And I promise, 3rd time is a charm!
And so, the stage is set in 1419 for the most dynamic period in Europe's long history. Already the Hundred Years War has been dragging on for almost a century, the Muslims have almost been driven from the Iberian peninsula, and the Church is losing its grip on the masses. Gelre has been unchanged for a long time now, concentrating on trade and diplomacy, rather than conquest. Gelre is considered one of the more powerful states in the Low Countries, next to Holland and Burgundy. For many years now, a power struggle has been going on between Holland and Gelre for control of the trade at Antwerp. For the past few years, Holland has been gaining ground. However, with the dawn of 1419, and new power has risen in Gelre. One that will shape the destiny of the entire region. And so, here, at the beginning of all things, we find Gelre poised to expand it's wealth, as well as its territory.
And so, let the game begin...
Prologue
The past few centuries have been good for the Low Countries. Trade has flourished in the Flemish port of Antwerp, low lying lands have been claimed from the sea as the population continues to grow larger, and relative peace and stability have reigned in the region. However, this quaint environment is about to change. The Dukedom of Burgundy is gaining power in the region and is threatening the independence of the nations. Flanders has already fallen, the port of Antwerp along with it. Holland and Brabant have become slaves to the Duke of Burgundy, and the Duke is beginning to claim the entire region as rightfully his. The Northern provinces of Freisland and Gelre are all that stand between Burgundy and complete control of the Netherlands. However, Gelre is proving to be more of a problem that the other nations. Gelre has been gaining wealth and prestige through its dominance in the Antwerp port, as well as trade expeditions throughout the Baltic and North seas. It is up to Gelre to save the Netherlands from immenant distruction. And who knows...perhaps one day, Gelre itself shall become a dominant power on the European Continent, as well as the world? Only time will tell...
Note: I am going to change my style of play to controlling only the nation of Gelre. When the time to switch came b4, all hell broke loose as the computer completely screwed Spain b4 I got there. The entire continent fell apart. It was actually quite lame, to tell the truth. No fun at all. However, I feel that this one will be more fun! Im playing normal/weakling, end in 1819. I hope everyone enjoys. And I promise, 3rd time is a charm!
And so, the stage is set in 1419 for the most dynamic period in Europe's long history. Already the Hundred Years War has been dragging on for almost a century, the Muslims have almost been driven from the Iberian peninsula, and the Church is losing its grip on the masses. Gelre has been unchanged for a long time now, concentrating on trade and diplomacy, rather than conquest. Gelre is considered one of the more powerful states in the Low Countries, next to Holland and Burgundy. For many years now, a power struggle has been going on between Holland and Gelre for control of the trade at Antwerp. For the past few years, Holland has been gaining ground. However, with the dawn of 1419, and new power has risen in Gelre. One that will shape the destiny of the entire region. And so, here, at the beginning of all things, we find Gelre poised to expand it's wealth, as well as its territory.
(Oh yeah, here is the exciting part)
Gelre in 1419. Anything different?
Gelre in 1419. Anything different?
And so, let the game begin...
So you're playing WATK now. This should be good. I think you will be in for a tough game, even just holding Burgundy off for now.
I'm doing an Ottoman WATK offline in preparation/practice for restarting my Teutons. It's definitely DIFFERENT. Just keep in mind now you won't get most if not all of the AGCEEP events.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Another WATK map? I really need to investigate those mods.
Too bad the original start ended, but a Gelre AAR is always fun. Good luck.
Too bad the original start ended, but a Gelre AAR is always fun. Good luck.
Bad the other ended, but this 'new' will be nice I hope. I'll be following.
Good Luck there!
Good Luck there!
Chapter 1
Gelre in 1419
Reinald IV had rulled Gelre for the past 17 years with an undying love for uniformity. Little has changed in Gelre during his reign. The competition with Holland and the German Hansa for control of the Northern trade still exists. The alliance with Freisland, and the friendly relations with the Rhineland are still in place. And Gelre is still a minor country in a major world. However, 1419 can be said to be the beginning of the change in attitude, as well as practice, in Gelre. Gelre was beginning its rise towards stardom, and would face down many, foe and friends alike, in its long struggle to be a dominant power.
One of the first actions taken in 1419 was the readministration of the tax collection efforts in Gelre. Tax collectors were sent out to Zwolle, and well as other parts of Gelre, in order to better administer and collect taxes. While much of the population naturally disliked this added effort to collect their taxes, there was no open objection to this action.
This time period also saw the rise of the great merchant family, the Boerenkamers. The Boerenkamer name is traced back to, of all places, Holland, where in the late 1200's the family moved to Gelre. The family slowly rose in wealth and prominance to become the most powerful merchant family in the dukedom. The Boerenkamer family often employed merchants and sent them out to various parts of Europe to trade in their name. Antwerp and Paris were their favorite trade centers, due to their close nature. However, no center of trade in Europe was free from the Boerenkamer's reach.
The 1420's saw the building tension between Gelre and Burgundy. The Burgundians had been claiming the Low Countries for many years now, but had not been able to get a foothold in the region, until the port of Antwerp was brought into their realm. From Flanders, Burgundy was able to weild great influence throughout the region, and even gaining Brabant and Holland as allies. However, Gelre and Friesland in the North continued to resist the Burgundians, and even began to conspire against them.
Burgundy was at war with France during this period, supporting the English in the Hundred Years War. France was surviving the onslaught of the English-Burgundian-Argonesse forces. Gelre took every opportunity to diplomatically support the French forces, although never fully comming out in total support of France against her enemies. On August 18, 1422, a royal marriage was arranged between the Jülich-Hengebachs of Gelre and the Valois of France. This helped to cement a lasting relationship between the two countries, and would prove fruitful in the future.
On June 29, 1423, Reinald IV succumb to his insanity and died in his sleep. Reinald had no heirs from his own family, and so the title of Duke passed to his grandson, Arnold I of the Egmond family. Arnold continued to foster good relations with France, as well as some of the Rhineland countries in Germany. Meanwhile, the Boerenkamer family was gaining ground in European economics. They already controlled at least 20% of the trade in Flanders and the Ile de France by 1424, and had made a foot hold in the trade of Wismar in Northern Germany. This trade was bringing great wealth to the people of Gelre, and was funding great advances in the sciences.
By 1428 it was becoming apparant that Burgundy was planning on expanding in the Low Countries. And so, on June 20, 1428, Gelre proclaimed a guarantee to the country of Brabant. If Brabant was attacked, Gelre would come to her aide. While Brabant viewed this proclamation as an insult, Gelre was ensuring its own opportunity for blocking Burgundian advances on its own borders. However, if Gelre wanted to secure its own borders it was going to have to find a stronger ally. And so, in 1428, negotiations began between France and Gelre, culminating in an alliance signed on August 5, 1429. This alliance is a milestone in Gelre history, as it is the first time that Gelre was placed at the head of a powerful alliance with a major country submitting to its will. France was a supporter of the alliance, not the head of it.
Europe in 1430
The alliance would come in the brink of time, as Burgundy annexed Brabant on August 2, 1430, less than a year after the signing of the alliance. Gelre was now in a difficult position. Gelre was obligated to intervene on behalf of the people of Brabant, but Burgundy was in a strong alliance of its own with England, Aragon, and Navarre. However, Arnold was not going to allow himself to be insulted by this invader. And so, the Gelre army was increased from 6,000 to 15,000 strong in preparation for the war. Gelre had no navy, only small merchant ships that could not hope to stand against the English navy. And so, the plan was to quickly subdue as many Burgundian towns and armies in the Low Countries as possible and sue for peace before the English could be allowed to land troops. With the war strategy in place, Gelre decalred war on Burgundy on January 5, 1431. This war was going to pit Gelre, Friesland, and France against Burgundy, England, Aragon, and Navarre.
Military movements of the First Burgundian War
The Gelre army under the command of Gulder immediately marched south to Breda in January of 1431. On February 5, 1431, the province of Breda was under siege by Gulder, and on April 5, 1431, Heertognebosh, commanding the Gelre regiment, marched to Breada to aide Gulder. When Heertognebosh arrived on May 5, 1431, Gulder immediately marched towards Antwerp in Flanders and left Heertognebosh in charge of the siege in Breda. On May 27, 1431, Gulder arrived in Flanders and sieged the city of Antwerp. The next major move was on Septermber 7, 1431, when Lyden, commanding the Zwolle regiment, marched south to aide Heertognebosh. However, before Lyden could arrive, Breda fell to Heertognebosh, and he marched south to Brussels in Brabant. Lyden, recieving word of the fall of Breda, followed closely in his wake to Brabant. On November 8, 1431, Arnold decided that he had to aide Friesland, who was being besieged by the English. If Friesland were to fall, the English would have a permanent residence in the Northern Low Countries. So, Arnold hired a force of 16,500 mercenaries, who then marched north to aide Friesland. However, while marching north through Gelre, English forces landed in Gelre to attempt to block the mercenaries. The English were soundly defeated, and the force continued north. On December 9, 1431, the mercenaries met the English troops at Friesland. After a 2 week long battle, the mercenaries could no longer hold against the English troops, and they were forced to retreat back to Zwolle. Thus, 1431 closed out with the English troops sieging Friesland, and the armies of Gelre seiging the south, with nothing between England the capital at Gelre.
On January 22, 1432, Phillip le Bon, Duke of Burgundy, met the Gelre commander Gulder at Flanders. After an 8 day battle, the armies of Burgundy completely surrendered to Gulder. This was mainly due to the fact that on the 7th day of fighting, Phillip was captured after he was surrounded by knights from Gelre. Phillip would later be released back to Burgundy, but not after assuring that he would never again personally take command of an army. The enitre Burgundian force was routed, and the Burgundians suffered a major blow.
On March 13, 1432, Gelre finally faced its worst fear. The war had not progressed quickly enough, and English troops landed at Gelre. March 27th saw the fall of Antwerp to Guldern, who immediatley marched south to meet the rest of the southern army of Gelre. With the news of the caputer of Phillip and the fall of Antwerp, the nobles of Burgundy quickly sued for peace, offering Breda to Gelre. Because the capital was being sieged, and the war turning in favor of the English, Gelre accepted the offer, and the southern army, after meeting at Brabant, quickly moved north to meet the English troops at Gelre. Meanwhile, in the north, the mercenary army was running from the English in Zwolle. The mercenaries were trapped in Gelre by the armies of Bedford, and the mercenaries had no choice but to completely surrender to the English. The last army of Gelre in the north was lost, and Gulder was still months away.
The War in 1432
Finally, on June 4, 1432, Gulder met Bedford in Gelre and the final battle of the war took place. 17 days of intense fighting with no real winner led to a withdraw of Gulder, whose troops could no longer keep up with the fighting. After withdrawing to Breda, however, English forces met Gulder there and forced him to march north once again. It was a dire situation for Gelre, but luck was on their side. The English had spent considerable resources on their war with France, and were hurting for funds. Gelre quickly offered the English 150,000 ducats in order to end the war. England accepted the offer, and on July 16, 1432, the First Burgundian War ended with a victory for Gelre.
Peace of 1432
With the end of the war, celebrations broke out all over the small dukedom. No one could have forseen such a favorable outcome in the war. Most had expected some small amount of fighting, later ended with a bribe or two. However, Gelre had come out with a new province to the south, and with more prestige from her neighbors. Gelre was on the road to securing its position with the Low Countries. Trade was also flurishing. During the war, many parts of the Dukedom were destroyed by the English invasion forces. The Boerenkamer family took advantage of the situation by encouraging foreign investment in rebuilding the country. Merchants were sent out to Wismar, as well as the Baltic grain ports. Soon, trade and commerce was flowing smoothly in the country again. Peace was bringing prosperity back to the country.
Chapter 1
Gelre in 1419
Reinald IV had rulled Gelre for the past 17 years with an undying love for uniformity. Little has changed in Gelre during his reign. The competition with Holland and the German Hansa for control of the Northern trade still exists. The alliance with Freisland, and the friendly relations with the Rhineland are still in place. And Gelre is still a minor country in a major world. However, 1419 can be said to be the beginning of the change in attitude, as well as practice, in Gelre. Gelre was beginning its rise towards stardom, and would face down many, foe and friends alike, in its long struggle to be a dominant power.
One of the first actions taken in 1419 was the readministration of the tax collection efforts in Gelre. Tax collectors were sent out to Zwolle, and well as other parts of Gelre, in order to better administer and collect taxes. While much of the population naturally disliked this added effort to collect their taxes, there was no open objection to this action.
This time period also saw the rise of the great merchant family, the Boerenkamers. The Boerenkamer name is traced back to, of all places, Holland, where in the late 1200's the family moved to Gelre. The family slowly rose in wealth and prominance to become the most powerful merchant family in the dukedom. The Boerenkamer family often employed merchants and sent them out to various parts of Europe to trade in their name. Antwerp and Paris were their favorite trade centers, due to their close nature. However, no center of trade in Europe was free from the Boerenkamer's reach.
The 1420's saw the building tension between Gelre and Burgundy. The Burgundians had been claiming the Low Countries for many years now, but had not been able to get a foothold in the region, until the port of Antwerp was brought into their realm. From Flanders, Burgundy was able to weild great influence throughout the region, and even gaining Brabant and Holland as allies. However, Gelre and Friesland in the North continued to resist the Burgundians, and even began to conspire against them.
Burgundy was at war with France during this period, supporting the English in the Hundred Years War. France was surviving the onslaught of the English-Burgundian-Argonesse forces. Gelre took every opportunity to diplomatically support the French forces, although never fully comming out in total support of France against her enemies. On August 18, 1422, a royal marriage was arranged between the Jülich-Hengebachs of Gelre and the Valois of France. This helped to cement a lasting relationship between the two countries, and would prove fruitful in the future.
On June 29, 1423, Reinald IV succumb to his insanity and died in his sleep. Reinald had no heirs from his own family, and so the title of Duke passed to his grandson, Arnold I of the Egmond family. Arnold continued to foster good relations with France, as well as some of the Rhineland countries in Germany. Meanwhile, the Boerenkamer family was gaining ground in European economics. They already controlled at least 20% of the trade in Flanders and the Ile de France by 1424, and had made a foot hold in the trade of Wismar in Northern Germany. This trade was bringing great wealth to the people of Gelre, and was funding great advances in the sciences.
By 1428 it was becoming apparant that Burgundy was planning on expanding in the Low Countries. And so, on June 20, 1428, Gelre proclaimed a guarantee to the country of Brabant. If Brabant was attacked, Gelre would come to her aide. While Brabant viewed this proclamation as an insult, Gelre was ensuring its own opportunity for blocking Burgundian advances on its own borders. However, if Gelre wanted to secure its own borders it was going to have to find a stronger ally. And so, in 1428, negotiations began between France and Gelre, culminating in an alliance signed on August 5, 1429. This alliance is a milestone in Gelre history, as it is the first time that Gelre was placed at the head of a powerful alliance with a major country submitting to its will. France was a supporter of the alliance, not the head of it.
Europe in 1430
The alliance would come in the brink of time, as Burgundy annexed Brabant on August 2, 1430, less than a year after the signing of the alliance. Gelre was now in a difficult position. Gelre was obligated to intervene on behalf of the people of Brabant, but Burgundy was in a strong alliance of its own with England, Aragon, and Navarre. However, Arnold was not going to allow himself to be insulted by this invader. And so, the Gelre army was increased from 6,000 to 15,000 strong in preparation for the war. Gelre had no navy, only small merchant ships that could not hope to stand against the English navy. And so, the plan was to quickly subdue as many Burgundian towns and armies in the Low Countries as possible and sue for peace before the English could be allowed to land troops. With the war strategy in place, Gelre decalred war on Burgundy on January 5, 1431. This war was going to pit Gelre, Friesland, and France against Burgundy, England, Aragon, and Navarre.
Military movements of the First Burgundian War
The Gelre army under the command of Gulder immediately marched south to Breda in January of 1431. On February 5, 1431, the province of Breda was under siege by Gulder, and on April 5, 1431, Heertognebosh, commanding the Gelre regiment, marched to Breada to aide Gulder. When Heertognebosh arrived on May 5, 1431, Gulder immediately marched towards Antwerp in Flanders and left Heertognebosh in charge of the siege in Breda. On May 27, 1431, Gulder arrived in Flanders and sieged the city of Antwerp. The next major move was on Septermber 7, 1431, when Lyden, commanding the Zwolle regiment, marched south to aide Heertognebosh. However, before Lyden could arrive, Breda fell to Heertognebosh, and he marched south to Brussels in Brabant. Lyden, recieving word of the fall of Breda, followed closely in his wake to Brabant. On November 8, 1431, Arnold decided that he had to aide Friesland, who was being besieged by the English. If Friesland were to fall, the English would have a permanent residence in the Northern Low Countries. So, Arnold hired a force of 16,500 mercenaries, who then marched north to aide Friesland. However, while marching north through Gelre, English forces landed in Gelre to attempt to block the mercenaries. The English were soundly defeated, and the force continued north. On December 9, 1431, the mercenaries met the English troops at Friesland. After a 2 week long battle, the mercenaries could no longer hold against the English troops, and they were forced to retreat back to Zwolle. Thus, 1431 closed out with the English troops sieging Friesland, and the armies of Gelre seiging the south, with nothing between England the capital at Gelre.
On January 22, 1432, Phillip le Bon, Duke of Burgundy, met the Gelre commander Gulder at Flanders. After an 8 day battle, the armies of Burgundy completely surrendered to Gulder. This was mainly due to the fact that on the 7th day of fighting, Phillip was captured after he was surrounded by knights from Gelre. Phillip would later be released back to Burgundy, but not after assuring that he would never again personally take command of an army. The enitre Burgundian force was routed, and the Burgundians suffered a major blow.
On March 13, 1432, Gelre finally faced its worst fear. The war had not progressed quickly enough, and English troops landed at Gelre. March 27th saw the fall of Antwerp to Guldern, who immediatley marched south to meet the rest of the southern army of Gelre. With the news of the caputer of Phillip and the fall of Antwerp, the nobles of Burgundy quickly sued for peace, offering Breda to Gelre. Because the capital was being sieged, and the war turning in favor of the English, Gelre accepted the offer, and the southern army, after meeting at Brabant, quickly moved north to meet the English troops at Gelre. Meanwhile, in the north, the mercenary army was running from the English in Zwolle. The mercenaries were trapped in Gelre by the armies of Bedford, and the mercenaries had no choice but to completely surrender to the English. The last army of Gelre in the north was lost, and Gulder was still months away.
The War in 1432
Finally, on June 4, 1432, Gulder met Bedford in Gelre and the final battle of the war took place. 17 days of intense fighting with no real winner led to a withdraw of Gulder, whose troops could no longer keep up with the fighting. After withdrawing to Breda, however, English forces met Gulder there and forced him to march north once again. It was a dire situation for Gelre, but luck was on their side. The English had spent considerable resources on their war with France, and were hurting for funds. Gelre quickly offered the English 150,000 ducats in order to end the war. England accepted the offer, and on July 16, 1432, the First Burgundian War ended with a victory for Gelre.
Peace of 1432
With the end of the war, celebrations broke out all over the small dukedom. No one could have forseen such a favorable outcome in the war. Most had expected some small amount of fighting, later ended with a bribe or two. However, Gelre had come out with a new province to the south, and with more prestige from her neighbors. Gelre was on the road to securing its position with the Low Countries. Trade was also flurishing. During the war, many parts of the Dukedom were destroyed by the English invasion forces. The Boerenkamer family took advantage of the situation by encouraging foreign investment in rebuilding the country. Merchants were sent out to Wismar, as well as the Baltic grain ports. Soon, trade and commerce was flowing smoothly in the country again. Peace was bringing prosperity back to the country.
The English can be tough early on especially for such a small nation as Gelre. I'm impressed that you took them on. When you say you offered England peace for 150,000 ducats do you mean you demanded 150 ducats off of them or you paid them that much? Anyway excellent outcome to get another province.