The Rise of Bavaria and the Wittlesbach Dynasty

[Scott1964]

The Rise of Bavaria and the Wittelsbach Dynasty

Prolouge

The early 1300's saw the formation of an independent state of Bavaria from the Holy Roman Empire. Duke Otto III became the King of Hungary in 1305 as Bela V. He set about to create Bavaria for the good of her people and for the Wittlesbach family.

The rain was pouring down on a nondescript day in January of 1397. The two gentleman were huddled under the eve of the Castle Schoenberg near the town of München. William III, Duke of Bavaria and Ernst had said nothing to each other for the past hour. "What is taking so long." said William.
"Probably still reading the will." laughed Ernst. "Wish mother would make up her mind." stated William. "I know mother is doing her best, but father is not well. " said Ernst. Suddenly the door opened and a priest stepped forward and said "Duke John II has died." William and Ernst then went inside to mourn the loss of their father and to consoul Katharina, their mother.

John's Study
Katharina was seated behind the mahogany desk that John had made many important decisions. She looked up and addressed both men. "Evening Ernst, William, please be seated." She wiped a tear from her eye and began. "I know both of you were close to your father. Even more closer than myself. I feel I must be the one to give you the news." Both me then sat straighter on their chairs in anticipation of the news. Who will be the leader of Bavaria? Katharina then continued to read the last will and statement of John II. "I hereby proclaim..........co rulers of Bavaria between my sons Ernst and William.....until one dies.......or one is not fit to rule...." Katharina stopped and looked at both men. "May the better man rule Bavaria to greatness." Both men stood as well as Katharina and came forth to hug her. "I have only one rule in my house. See to it that Stephen III, John's brother, is finished here in Bavaria." "Agreed." stated both men.

Castle Heisenberg
After a brief altercation, Stephen stepped back from his target. "You shall not work in my Duchy gain, you are hereby banished." The peasant bowed his head in shame and then was off to any place by where he was at." William and Ernst saw the altercation and moved forward after the conclusion. "I see you are still harassing the peasants." said Ernst. "Bah,they are worthless scum that do not know anything." replied Stephen. "How is Bavaria going to rise into greatness if you are beating up the peasants and taking all they money?" asked William. "Mind your own business." quipped Stephen back to William. "Easy now, Stephen." Our father has passed away and he has bequeathed myself and William to rule Bavaria. You are hereby banished from our land of Bavaria. You are also hereby stripped of any privileges and title from this day forward." "If we see you on our land you will be arrested and tried as a spy." replied William.

München
"Ernst, I know father liked you the best. Not because you are older than myself or smarter. You have the natural ability to lead people.'
"What are you saying Brother William?"
"My request is for you to rule Bavaria. I feel I would be in your way. go forth and lead Bavaria to greatness.

 

[Throne]

Es Lebe Bayern! Good Luck!

 

[Scott1964]

Chapter One

Oct 1397

Trausnitz Castle Landshut

Ernst was busy working in his private study when the door opened and his private guard ushered in a noticeably built man of good stature strode into the room. "I am Christoph Hafenbradel. I come to offer my services to you Ernst of Bavaria. Here are my credentials." Ernst opens the paper and reads. "Interesting.What do you have to offer?" I am highly trained in the land warfare and will train your armies to fight better. All for mere ducats a month." Very well,when can you start?" Right away, Herr Ernst."

The cabinet was meeting in Alte Dürnitz when Ernst introduced the cabinet to his new advisor. "Gentleman, my I introduce Herr Hafenbradel. He will advise me with out land and army interests." "Welcome." said Helmut Strudel. "I am the minister of Affairs." A small pudgy man saluted Christoph. "I am Hans Beckerstein, and I am the treasurer for Herr Ernst." "Guten Tag Herr Hafenbradel, May I introduce myself. I am Claus von Higgledorff. I command the army. We will be working very close." Ernst interrupted the introductions to say. "Gentleman, the first order of business." "Yes." replied Strudel. We need to drive the Hohenzollern out of your territory." said Ernst. "They are currently residing in Ansbach." said von Higgledorff. "Ansbach will be our first conquest. This must be peaceful as to not rock the boat and piss off Austria or any other powerhouse in our area." proclaimed Ernst.

Feb 1400

The farm house looks like any other in the area, run down and livable. The two men met under the fading sunset in Western Hungary. "So you want an alliance with Bavaria?" Yes." "Do not drag us into any unwanted wars." "Very well."


July 1401 Trausnitz Castle Landshut

"Introduction, Herr Ernst for Helmut Weinrich."
"What can you do for my people Herr Weinrich?"
"I am an artist. I can keep your cozy little domain stable."
"Your the only one around. You can stay as long as you meet my peoples' needs."

April 1404 Trausnitz Castle Landshut

Ernst is rousted from his deep sleep by his personal guard. "Herr Ernst, out country is in turmoil." 'What are you saying Herr Simon?" "The people found out that we dishonored our alliance with Hungary in their war with Ragusa." What alliance? exclaimed Ernst. "Well the alliance is gone and you did not know?" "Ja, some one will pay."


Sept 1404 Trausnitz Castle Landshut

"Your fired."
"Welcome, Werner Blies. Hope you will do a better job of keeping Bavaria together."

Dec 1407 Trausnitz Castle Landshut

Ernst was meeting with his cabinet when the door to his private study opened. "Herr Ernst, we have a situation on our hands." exclaimed Blies. The peasants are demanding you accept a petition for redress." What are our options?" "We can take a stability hit and accept their remand or risk a revolt." "Hmmm let us give in. I have a plan to help Bavaria to cute technology costs in the long run." replied Hafenbradel.

 

[Scott1964]

Chapter Two

Major Technological Advancements:
Dec 1409 Land Tech 4
Oct 1412 First National Idea... Bureaucracy
Aug 1415 Production Tech 4
Nov 1420 Land Tech 5

August 1410 Trausnitz Castle

"Herr Ernst."
"Ja."
"We must increase our army. To be able to do this we must increase our land force limits."
"What is your proposal?"
"May I introduce, Georg von Helbrunger."
The smartly dressed man of around 28 smartly saluted Ernst. "I am at your service."
"What expertise do you have.?"
"I can increase your force limits to 2 percent of normal ways through the development of a special recruiting procedure."
"Very well precede."

April 1413 Trausnitz Castle

"Herr Ernst, we have found a better artist to manage our country. His name is Carlo Lamoral."
"And Herr Blies?"
"Told to hit the road."

Sept 1416 The Frontier

"Herr Ernst, we have word that Hungary has declared war on Ragusa."
"Let us see how our army can perform." said Hafenbradel.
A rider was seen riding hard to the group of men under the trees.
"Herr Ernst, Holland requests our help in their war with Flanders."
"So be it."

November 1416 Rome

"I hereby proclaim Ernst, Ruler of Bavaria, the next Papal Controller."
"My first act as the new Papal Controller is to end the Excommunication of the ruler of Hesse."
"Ernst, Ernst, Ernst." shouted the crowd. Ernst held up his hand to silence the crowd."My next act is to call a crusade against the Mamluks."

July 1418 Budapest

"Sign here, here, and here." Ragusa agrees to be annexed by Hungary.
"Our troops performed very well."

August 1418 Zeeland

"Flanders is no more"
"We did not have an opportunity to test our troops."

Oct 1420 Trausnitz Castle

"We can do without our land force adviser."
"We can employee another recruitment adviser."
"His name is Otto Chlingenperg."
"Our advisers have good news. We are in the midst of an Agricultural Revolution."
"More taxes." said Ernst.

 

[Scott1964]

Chapter Three

Major Developments 1420 to 1429
Land Tech 6 in Jan 1429
Production Tech 5 in Aug 4128
Carlo Lamoral dies and is replaced by Jozef Boleslav in July 4124.

The gypsy was old and weary. She came into the field tent and set her magic crystal ball on the old chest. "What is it you request?" "Gypsy I want you to look deeply into you magic crystal ball and tell me the fate of our great nation." asked Ernst. The gypsy stated. "There will be great turmoil. There will be many great wars and conquests. Be prepared to do to the unexpected, unpopular and dangerous." "Very well." The gypsy shuffled out laughing as she left.

"Those crazy Danish are at it again."
"Send them our standard letter of warning."
"The one to stop picking on their inferior or lesser neighbors?"
"Ja."

"Herr Ernst, I am Borst Venlemesser. I represent the nation of Gotland."
"What is it I can do for you?"
"We require assistance for the good of our country. We are on the short end of the stick."
"At this time we can not help you."

Several years later in July 1426
"Herr Ernst."
"Ja."
"The Teutonic Order has requested our help with the Denmark, Sweden, Norway Alliance."
"Why us?" asked Helmut Strudel.
"Our warning to Denmark has those nations coming out of the woodwork."
"Should we partake?"
"Ja.'
"Send our troops and see how they fight."

Vyborg late 1426
"Enemy on the horizon."
"Attack"
The long way back was very demoralizing. The Bavaria Army had taken a beating at the hands of the Swedish. 1st Army was annihilated and the 2nd army had not been too successful in the field. Orders were given out to build a bigger and better army. Sweden must be taught a lesson.

Sept 1427
"The time is right."
"Proceed with the negotiations."
"This will be one step in the right direction."
"Ansbach will one day be incorporated into our great nation."
"The minister from Ansbach has left their answer."
Ernst opens the envelop and takes out the folder paper to read. A smile then crosses his face. Anbach has agreed to vassalage.