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During the last couple of decades of the 14th century, the Scandinavian kingdoms have come under the rule of one monarch: Queen Margrethe. She intended to unite Scandinavia forever, in orded to defend it from the growing might of the Hanseatic League. She was a talented politician and administrator, and stands in good stead to bring about a new age of permanent Scandinavian unity.
Of course, from a purely gameplay-oriented perspective, forming the Empire of Scandinavia would be easy from this position. Enough land is already part of the union, so it would simply be a matter of gaining enough piety and wealth. However, officially Consolidating the Union will be possible as a decision, and, although it will have more difficult requirements, there will also be benefits to doing so.
The Kalmar Union was historically a Personal Union, which CK2 already adequately represents when you have multiple kingdoms which can pass to different heirs and claimants, which is why there is no "Kalmar Union" title at first. The Union eventually lost Sweden, but Norway became part of a "real union" with Denmark, meaning that the two kingdoms merged into one title. Consolidating the Union will thus transform the "personal" Kalmar Union into a "real" Kalmar Union- an Empire-tier title.
The requirements will be as follows (subject to change):
- High Centralisation
- Legalism VI
- Majesty VI
- All your vassals who are a de jure part of Scandinavia must have a positive opinion of you
- Primary title must be Denmark, Sweden or Norway. (Finland, Lapland and Estonia are de jure part of Scandinavia by 1400, but are part of a different traditional cultural group) OR you must be of the North Germanic culture group
- You must control the Kingdoms of Denmark, Sweden and Norway
Upon taking the option to Consolidate the Union, the following will happen (also subject to change):
- The Empire-tier Kalmar Union title is formed, replacing de jure Scandinavia
- You gain access to the unique defensive casus belli "Dismantle the Hansa", which does exactly what it says. It is very powerful and allows you to seize all their wealth, but remember whose protection they are under...
- Access to a decision to bring about a pan-Scandinavian (Germanic) culture (i.e. a more "modern" Norse culture) This decision will have a high prestige cost and perhaps other requirements.
- Potentially more, as yet unplanned
Queen Margrethe
As mentioned, Margrethe was a compotent diplomat and administrator, which her stats reflect. As the most powerful woman in Europe at the time, she has her pick of suitors despite her age- but the issue of succession remains a big problem. Her only son is dead, along with all her siblings, and she is past childbearing age. She will need to make a very specific choice when deciding on her next husband in order to be able to continue her dynasty. Or make use of some more... taboo... methods...
For this reason, while she seems like a powerful starting character, you will need to apply some advanced strategies in order to just survive as her. That said, a seasoned CK2 player will be able to get by, RNG willing.
Norwegian Networks
Within the western part of the Kalmar Union, there are many nobles with strong claims on each other's land, with a vast area under the control of the powerful Duke of Nidaros. For those looking for a more lowly position to start from, there are many counts in Norway primed for a meteoric rise to power... or a quick fall at the hands of a preemptive neighbour. Here are just a few potential starts:
At this current stage, the Union is still very fragile, and could splinter apart upon the death of the reigning monarch. A ruler who dominates Norway could determine the future of Scandinavia, either as a valuable ally of the Crown, supporting the move towards a unified state, or as the leader of the independence movement. After all, what's to stop you claiming the Kingdom of Norway for yourself? That said, the threat from Northern Germany is a very real one indeed, and it might well be in your best interest to work together to defend against this common enemy...
To sum up, Scandinavia provides an excellent opportunity for different approaches- the unifying overlord, the subversive rebel, the loyal vassal. Will Danish hegemony endure over the region, or will the Scandinavians press their claim to independence? The dev diary must come to a conclusion, but there is always something else to discuss! We will travel westwards next week, following one of the ancient Viking paths to the island of Ireland, which struggles against perfidious Albion.
UPDATE: It turns out the only way for Margrethe to be playable would be through Lucifer's Own, so I will expand her dynasty in other areas which were skipped in the vanilla game so that she has a dynastic heir!
Here are all of the dev diaries so far:
Dev Diary #000
Dev Diary #1
Dev Diary #2
Dev Diary #3
Dev Diary #4
Dev Diary #5
Dev Diary #6
Dev Diary #7
Dev Diary #8
During the last couple of decades of the 14th century, the Scandinavian kingdoms have come under the rule of one monarch: Queen Margrethe. She intended to unite Scandinavia forever, in orded to defend it from the growing might of the Hanseatic League. She was a talented politician and administrator, and stands in good stead to bring about a new age of permanent Scandinavian unity.
Of course, from a purely gameplay-oriented perspective, forming the Empire of Scandinavia would be easy from this position. Enough land is already part of the union, so it would simply be a matter of gaining enough piety and wealth. However, officially Consolidating the Union will be possible as a decision, and, although it will have more difficult requirements, there will also be benefits to doing so.
The Kalmar Union was historically a Personal Union, which CK2 already adequately represents when you have multiple kingdoms which can pass to different heirs and claimants, which is why there is no "Kalmar Union" title at first. The Union eventually lost Sweden, but Norway became part of a "real union" with Denmark, meaning that the two kingdoms merged into one title. Consolidating the Union will thus transform the "personal" Kalmar Union into a "real" Kalmar Union- an Empire-tier title.
The requirements will be as follows (subject to change):
- High Centralisation
- Legalism VI
- Majesty VI
- All your vassals who are a de jure part of Scandinavia must have a positive opinion of you
- Primary title must be Denmark, Sweden or Norway. (Finland, Lapland and Estonia are de jure part of Scandinavia by 1400, but are part of a different traditional cultural group) OR you must be of the North Germanic culture group
- You must control the Kingdoms of Denmark, Sweden and Norway
Upon taking the option to Consolidate the Union, the following will happen (also subject to change):
- The Empire-tier Kalmar Union title is formed, replacing de jure Scandinavia
- You gain access to the unique defensive casus belli "Dismantle the Hansa", which does exactly what it says. It is very powerful and allows you to seize all their wealth, but remember whose protection they are under...
- Access to a decision to bring about a pan-Scandinavian (Germanic) culture (i.e. a more "modern" Norse culture) This decision will have a high prestige cost and perhaps other requirements.
- Potentially more, as yet unplanned
Queen Margrethe
As mentioned, Margrethe was a compotent diplomat and administrator, which her stats reflect. As the most powerful woman in Europe at the time, she has her pick of suitors despite her age- but the issue of succession remains a big problem. Her only son is dead, along with all her siblings, and she is past childbearing age. She will need to make a very specific choice when deciding on her next husband in order to be able to continue her dynasty. Or make use of some more... taboo... methods...
For this reason, while she seems like a powerful starting character, you will need to apply some advanced strategies in order to just survive as her. That said, a seasoned CK2 player will be able to get by, RNG willing.
Norwegian Networks
Within the western part of the Kalmar Union, there are many nobles with strong claims on each other's land, with a vast area under the control of the powerful Duke of Nidaros. For those looking for a more lowly position to start from, there are many counts in Norway primed for a meteoric rise to power... or a quick fall at the hands of a preemptive neighbour. Here are just a few potential starts:
At this current stage, the Union is still very fragile, and could splinter apart upon the death of the reigning monarch. A ruler who dominates Norway could determine the future of Scandinavia, either as a valuable ally of the Crown, supporting the move towards a unified state, or as the leader of the independence movement. After all, what's to stop you claiming the Kingdom of Norway for yourself? That said, the threat from Northern Germany is a very real one indeed, and it might well be in your best interest to work together to defend against this common enemy...
To sum up, Scandinavia provides an excellent opportunity for different approaches- the unifying overlord, the subversive rebel, the loyal vassal. Will Danish hegemony endure over the region, or will the Scandinavians press their claim to independence? The dev diary must come to a conclusion, but there is always something else to discuss! We will travel westwards next week, following one of the ancient Viking paths to the island of Ireland, which struggles against perfidious Albion.
UPDATE: It turns out the only way for Margrethe to be playable would be through Lucifer's Own, so I will expand her dynasty in other areas which were skipped in the vanilla game so that she has a dynastic heir!
Here are all of the dev diaries so far:
Dev Diary #000
Dev Diary #1
Dev Diary #2
Dev Diary #3
Dev Diary #4
Dev Diary #5
Dev Diary #6
Dev Diary #7
Dev Diary #8
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