AAR Burgundy 1419-1494
In 1419 Burgundy was a rich country. Most of the rich Dutch cities were under our most gracious duke's control. Furthermore three rich french provinces swore him fealty.
Diplomatically things was also looking good. Friendly relations had been created with most european nations, and an alliance was already formed with the most powerfull kingdom in Europe, England. The only thing disturbing the peace, was the ongoing war against the rebellious french, who couldn't accept the true king of France, Henry of England.
Also a new minister has risen in the burgundian government, Chancellor HUP.
The first thing was to bring the war against France to a succesfull end. To do this HUP got an agreement of military access out of Luxemburg, making it possible to unite the armies of Flanders and Bourgogne in Champagne, along with 7000 newly recruited cavalry. After sieging Champagne, and making sure that our British allies had crushed the main army of France, Lyonnais, Picardie and Nivernaise was sieged. A pleasant surprise then came, when England accepted a peace giving us all four provinces, England taking only three
After this war, our glorious nation was forced into numerous wars against german and dutch minors, expanding our borders, and vassalizing vast areas of land. A special thanks to England, who gave us valued help against our enemies. After this, a decade of peace and prosperity followed, where we sponsored both Poland and OE with large undisclosed amounts of cash.
After some time we discovered that England had conquered all of France proper, with the exception of Isle de France, which we promptly annexed.
This brought up protests from Austria, who was also threatening the wise ruler of Poland and demanding his withdrawal from certain north german provinces, and claiming lands held by our vassals. An inquiry to the king of England, proved that England would not look kindly upon a preemptive strike against the belligerent nation of Austria. After some diplomatic work, it came to my notice, that if I asked for England to honor its alliance with Burgundy, England would dishonor, and imidiately declare war upon its former ally - does the english king have no honor?
Even more depressing news hit me, as both OE and Poland declined an invitation for an attack to stop the expansion of the Austrian wolf, and Castille had apparently made an alliance with Austria for the partitioning of Italy; but, as my disloyal ally England had accidently revealed, alliances are made to be broken, and I succeded in making an unofficial alliance with Castille, for the ruin of Austria.
As the host of Burgundy attacked over the Rhine, and into Austrian heartland, a message came from Castille, telling me that they apparently had some problems with the nobles, and therefore could not fullfill promises made to enter the war
On the bright side, England apparently lacked the preparations for war, for besides leaving my alliance, no moves were made
The war quickly turned my way, as my superior cavalry armies crushed every austrian army fielded. Sieges were made, and negotiations begun. After one year of war, more than half of the austrian realm was in our control, and the stabhitting began. Also Castille had attacked England, who were now busy defending itself, and after this last hope of relief was quenched, Austria capitulated, accepting our most reasonable demands of Baden and Wurttemberg - only one day later, England declared that it was ready to send a relief force of 100k cavalry to help Austria, who says timing is not of the essence
Having dealt with our business with Austria, forces was sent to help our defeated enemies cope with several rebbelions. Just as I was beginning to get restless,a messenger arrived from Castille, begging the mighty chancellors help. Looking at his map of Europe, the chancellor saw that a great many of Castille's fortresses were flying the english flag, and remembering earlier betrayals, the chancellor boldly jumped to the rescue.
150k of cavalry swarmed over the english possessions in France, and given the offensive doctrines of the burgundians, the English losses were vast. After the bloody battle of Orleans, 70k english troops lay dead, and after another english force consisting of 60k was hunted to death, and with the english leaders stuck in the iberian peninsula, and all of France besieged, England accepted peace, for Caux and Calais, and a promise of giving back all conquered territory to Castille.
Some ministers in the Burgundian government had argued for more harsh peace treaties after the victories over the nations of Austria and England. The chancellor, however, was not interested in creating an unforgiving Austria and England, being pinned between those mighty empires, and hope that all further disagreements can be handled diplomatically.
Also Burgundy have created a great navy of more than 150 ships, only surpassed by the English navy, and four refineries where build.
Map of Burgundy 1494, with thanks to BurningEgo:
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Map of Europe 1494:
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