[Forum Game]World in Revolution Alternate History 1640

[alexander23]

It has been bloody years for the commonwealth but we still persevered. Now the Tsarist Russia that gave us a bloody nose some time ago, is no more!. We have freed the Russians from the Tyranny of the Tsar! They have been integrated in the great commonwealth, the truly paradise of freedom in Europe.


To all the commontwealth citizens,I wish to remind you that in the commonwealth you are free to practice any religion, be it Catholic, Protestant, orthodox or even islam, this is a right not many have in the rest of Europe so treasure it and fight to defend it!.


To Silesia: The commontwealth extend its hand to Silesia, in these turbulent times with the Holy Roman empire divided, and the northern german states being alone and disorganize, Silesia has much risk to stand alone and so we extend our hands inviting Silesia into the commonwealth. The Commonwealth is the only one that can truly protect Silesia. Our armies will defend its territory, your citizens will be free to practice with no worry at all any religion and your nobility will be accepted readily in the Sejm. Silesia has a long shared history with Poland for many centuries you have been part of the nation, though you have been away from time to time , we welcome you back with open hands if so you desire it as you are brothers and sisters to us.

signed by
King Sigismund III Vassa of the Poland, Grand Duke of Lithuania, Ruthenia, Prussia, Masovia, Samogitia, Livonia, and Moscovity

 

[Duke of Britain]

Should the Silesians choose to refuse my offer, I will suggest that they take that of the Commonwealth. Their history of tolerance is recognized and they are very well capable of ensuring the well being of the Silesians.

 

[Culise]

EDIT: Sorry, minor revisions underway, as I somehow lost a paragraph...

EDIT 2: Fixed. Somehow I lost my entire proposal for the disposition of the lands. Sorry about that; I tried to match up the lands to this historical map of post-1648 Europe.

It is with gratitude that I thank my nephew for his kind words. It has been our honour and privilege to support the lords of the Protestant faith, and not only on the battlefield. Here, we see together the free nobility of all the Germanies, those who are the true pride and soul of the now-fallen Holy Roman Empire whose powers were so sadly and so recently misused. It is our duty, as primus inter pares of the Saxon realms, of the Wettins and free cities alike, to stand in defense of our realm, and the duty of all lords of these realms to stand strong as well in defense of the rights of those beneath us, even as they follow their duties to us as well. It has been because of our keen understanding of our rights and duties that we have guaranteed the nobility of the Saxon realms, and it is with pride that we now offer this same protection to the realms around us. To the nobility of Silesia in particular, we offer our full support and protection with rights equal to those lords of Saxony. Regarding the matters of the Pommerania and the Free City of Hamburg, we watch matters in these territories with considerable interest in order to safeguard the rights of the nobility of these regions. We encourage the Free City of Hamburg to accept the offer of the Duke of Calenberg and Brunswick-Luneburg, who has guaranteed the preservation of the rights of the free city under the Lübeck Law in his offer, and wish to open discussion with Brandenburg on their offers of protection to Pommerania and Silesia ((OOC: IRC if possible, PMs otherwise)).

Furthermore, we also must bring up the issue of the ecclesiastical territories that even now remain under transitional administrations established by our joint military forces. We strongly urge that the disposition of these lands be established by the end of the year. These lands include:

• The Bishopric of Ratzeburg, centered on the city of Ratzeburg, located between Danish Pommerania and the Duchy of Brandenburg;
• The Bishopric of Wurzburg and Bishopric of Fulda, located in Franconia and Thuringia between the Duchy of Saxony, Margraviate of Bayreuth, Margraviate of Ansbach, and Archbishopric of Mainz, as well as the lands of the Teutonic order in Mergentheim and the environs;
• The Archbishopric (former Electorate) of Mainz and Bishopric of Worms, with lands within the County Palatine of the Rhine and the Eichsfeld;
• The Archbishopric of Trier and Archbishopric of Cologne, along the Rhine River, and additionally the Duchy of Westphalia under the Archbishopric of Cologne between the County of Mark and Duchy of Hesse;
• The Bishopric of Paderborn, and Bishopric of Hildesheim, near the County of Mark and Duchy of Cleves as well as the Duchy of Calenburg and Brunswick-Lüneburg, as well as those lands of the lower Bishopric of Münster not already secularized;
• and any other ecclesiastical lands presently under occupation not otherwise listed.

To this end, we propose the following disposition, as a loose framework from which negotiations may begin:

• The Bishopric of Ratzeburg will be governed by the Duchy of Brandenburg;
• The Bishoprics of Wurzburg and Fulda, and the Eichsfeld region will be governed by the Duchy of Saxony;
• The Archbishopric of Mainz, Bishopric of Worms, and those lands of the Teutonic Order in and adjoining Mergentheim will be governed by the County Palatine of the Rhine;
• The Bishopric of Paderborn and the Duchy of Westphalia as formerly held by the Archbishopric of Cologne will be governed by the Duchy of Hesse;
• The Archbishopric of Trier will be governed by the County Palatine;
• The Protestant city of Cologne will be governed as a free city;
• The Catholic environs of the Archbishopric of Cologne will be governed by the Count Palatine of Neuburg, holding the Duchies of Jülich and Berg in personal union;
• and the Bishopric of Hildesheim and remaining territories of the Lower Bishopric of Münster will be governed by the Duchy of Calenberg and Brunswick-Lüneburg.

Furthermore, we wish to ensure support of the Germanies for the secularization of those lands that have already taken place. Again, these include but are not limited to:

• The Archbishopric of Bremen and Bishopric of Hildesheim, secularized by the Duke of Calenberg and Brunswick-Luneburg;
• The Archbishopric of Magdeburg, secularized by the Duke of Brandenburg, with the exception of those territories adjoining Halle, Halberstadt, and Jüterbog, secularized by the Duchy of Saxony;
• The Bishopric of Bamburg and the upper Bishopric of Münster, secularized by the Duke of Brandenburg;
• and all ecclesiastical lands already secularized by all independent Protestant and Catholic lords of the Germanies not already listed.

- Frederick William, Duke of Saxony

 

[Ab Ovo]

The Kingdom of Provence​

Although the fall of France deeply and most severely wounds us; it is our pleasure to serve His Holiness and His Most Catholic Majesty through our ascension to the Provencal throne. We recognise our folly in dealing with the Huguenotte heretics as unbefitting of an honourable and Catholic sovereign we will work diligently to ensure the propagation of Catholicism and the One, Holy, and Apostolic Church. With the blessings of the Church and our people Provence will flourish as one of the premier nations of Europe.

In Faith,

Gaston, R., d'Orleans
King of Provence

 

[Groogy]

Words from Duke Augustus the Elder of Calenberg and Brunswick-Luneburg on the Weimar Conference​

Your Highness, Duke of Saxony! I thank you for your support in the matter of Hamburg. I also find your proposal for the ecclesiastical territories acceptable and I personally ensure you that the secularization of Bremen and Hildesheim will not be disturbed in any way.

 

[Stormbringer]

TREATY Between the Commonwealth and Tsar Bayush Razgildeyev

In order to bring peace to a turbulent region and to ensure proper and beneficial relations between the people of the Commonwealth and the people of Kazan, King Sigismund III Vasa having appointed plenipotentiaries to negotiate with Tsar Bayush Razgildeyev and having arrived at a mutual understanding, the parties agree to the following Articles:

I. King Sigismund III Vasa recognizes Tsar Bayush Razgildeyev as Tsar of Kazan and his right to rule over the Russian, Tatar, and other people of the lower Volga watershed. To this end Commonwealth forts downstream from Saratov will either be dismantled or handed over to the the Tsar. Tsar Bayush Razgildeyev agrees to pay for the work that is required and to provide compensation to King Sigismund III Vasa for the lost forts.

II. Tsar Bayush Razgildeyev recognizes King Sigismund III Vasa as Grand Duke of Moscow and will henceforth renounce any and all claims to such title or any of its variants.

III. King Sigismund III Vasa and Tsar Bayush Razgildeyev affirm their mutual friendship and promise to aid each other in wars and other matters that may threaten their livelihoods, prosperity, and friendship.

IV. In the spirit of friendship King Sigismund III Vasa and Tsar Bayush Razgildeyev agree to allow merchants and traders from the Commonwealth and from Kazan to trade in their respective territories and possessions and to not levy against these merchants and traders any exorbitant fees, fines, or taxes.

V. Those subjects of King Sigismund III Vasa permitted by him to do so will have the right to navigate the Volga river between its tributary at Kama and the Caspian Sea without objections or prohibitions on the part of Tsar Bayush Razgildeyev.

Agreed to at Kazan, in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Six Hundred and Forty and signed by

[] for the Commonwealth
[X] Tsar Bayush Razgildeyev

 

[Afaslizo]

Addition of Portugal and French states with updated map
http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/4161/z71d.png

Portugal

Spoiler

Ruler: Ricardo93 as João de Portugal, King of Portugal and the Algarves

Centralization: balanced

Population: 4 530 000

Treasury: 600

Income: 1074 Tax: 453 Trade: 621

Infrastructure: medium

Literacy: 8 %

Army Organization: professional

Standing Army: 7 600

Reserves: 12 000

Army Quality: medium

Naval Organization: merchant marine

Big ships: 43
Medium ships: 68
Small ships: 41

Naval quality: good

France

Spoiler

Ruler: etranger01 as Monsieur le Directeur Général

Centralization: federalized

Population: 21 730 000

Treasury: 5 600

Income: 2458 Tax: 1457 Trade: 1001

Infrastructure: medium

Literacy: 6 %

Army Organization: professional

Standing Army: 42 100

Reserves: 160 000

Army Quality: medium

Naval Organization: merchant marine

Big ships: 44
Medium ships: 37
Small ships: 71

Naval quality: medium

Provence

Spoiler

Ruler: Ab Ovo as Gaston I., King of Provence and pretender to the French throne

Centralization: balanced

Population: 3 512 000

Treasury: 45 600

Income: 772 Tax: 351 Trade: 421

Infrastructure: medium

Literacy: 9 %

Army Organization: professional

Standing Army: 4 400

Reserves: 13 000

Army Quality: medium

Naval Organization: merchant marine

Big ships: 13
Medium ships: 46
Small ships: 38

Naval quality: good

Britanny

Spoiler

Ruler: Noco19 as Benjamin de Rohan, King of Britanny

Centralization: federalized

Population: 2 030 000

Treasury: 1 400

Income: 501 Tax: 160 Trade: 341

Infrastructure: medium

Literacy: 6 %

Army Organization: professional

Standing Army: 3 000

Reserves: 11 000

Army Quality: medium

Naval Organization: balanced

Big ships: 14
Medium ships: 6
Small ships: 23

Naval quality: good

 

[th3freakie]

Republic of the Swiss​

Esteemed fellow representatives to this Convention, Dukes and Mayors and Princes of all the land.

In the name of the Swiss Cities and Territories, allow me to address the main issues at hand blunt and directly, for as pleasant as this fine City of Weimar and our Gracious Host, the Duke of Saxony, have made our stay, I greatly miss my family and wish to prolong this convention for no longer than necessary.

We find ourselves free from Imperial interference, but also out of Imperial protection. We find ourselves free from Rome's edicts, but also without clear rules to administer the religious life of the land. We must make choices and decisions.

The first question is - Do protestants need an Empire?
We Swiss say yes. The great Catholic powers that surround the protestant world dream of reinstating their authority back on us, and without a central figure, even union of protestantism would be in danger. This Emperor should coordinate the common defense of the German Protestants and settle territorial disputes among us.
Should we then return to the old ways? We Swiss say no. The statements by the esteemed representative of Brunswick-Luneburg prove that would not be an acceptable outcome.
We propose, then, that the Emperor be elected by the great notable lands represented in this convention, for a 10 year term, not renewable. The Emperor must be of a noble birth, raised in the protestant faith or having to it converted before the start of this convention.

The second question is - do protestants need a Pope?
We Swiss say no. But protestants do need a strong union of churches, to provide legitimacy to the establishment of new churches, recognize Bishops, and combat Catholic resurgence.
We propose, then, that a Synod of the Protestant Churches of Germany be established, with Bishops assigned by the Protestant Bishops of the lands represented in this convention and a Prime Bishop chosen among them, also for a 10 year term, not renewable.

Of the secularization of former Catholic Bishoprics we have no comment.

 

[Afaslizo]

Switzerland

Spoiler

Ruler: th3freakie as Jörg Jenatsch, High Representative of the Swiss

Centralization: federalized

Population: 1 209 000

Treasury: 1 600

Income: 313 Tax: 68 Trade: 245

Infrastructure: medium

Literacy: 13 %

Army Organization: professional

Standing Army: 2 600

Reserves: 8 000

Army Quality: good

Naval Organization:

Big ships:
Medium ships:
Small ships:

Naval quality:

Cherokee

Spoiler

played by Frymonmon

stats are not invented in native America

Corrected map(Spanish and Portugese posessions, correct Swiss historical expansion)
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/5913/dhfm.png

 

[Frymonmon]

OOC: Cherokee into greatness.

 

[ArchadianEmpire]

Republic of England​

It is with no pleasure that I, Thomax Fairfax of Cameroon, pit brother against brother as we continue to shed more and more blood with each passing day. Were it possible to put an end to this war and see our families reunited in peace, it would be done within a beat of my own heart. However, so long as the tyrant Charles continues to lead his 'royalists' in opposition of the rightful government of England, we must stand vigilant. Should we be led astray, our very freedom would be ripped from our hands by the very man who would see Parliament dissolved so that he may rule over all of England with absolute authority.

The people of England deserve better than to be subjected to the whim of a man who would see the very principles of our nation ground into dust. A man who would force his religion down the throats of us all and burn those who refused his will. We must stand together so that every man, woman, and child may grow up knowing what it is to be free. Together the people of England with throw down the forces of Charles and unite this country in the name of Parliament!

~ Lord Thomas Fairfax, 3rd Lord of Cameroon

 

[XVG]

Herzogtum Kurland, Livland und Semgallen​

I am happy to note that the strife causing much suffering for our German brothers has finally come to an end. I hope that this meeting of German princes at Weimar results in something which will guarantee peace and prosperity for our brothers.

Meanwhile the Couronian merchant marine continues to be one the finest in Europe. Our ships bring much wealth to our ports, and peaceful trade is the way for us Couronians. We hope that the Baltic will continue to prosper, and that stability is uphold on all of the seas of this world, so that our merchant activities may continue to bring much joy to all of us.

~ His Majesty, Friedrich Kettler, Duke of Courland and Livonia

 

[Sneakyflaps]

Il Granducato di Toscana​

The Grand Duchy of Tuscany brings forth this Treaty to the States of Italy, the Kingdom of Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire (Austria)

The Treaty of Arezzo​

Article I. The Kingdom of Spain shall hereby agree to a Non-Aggression Treaty with the following nations
I. The Papal States of the Holy Church of Rome
II. The Most Serene Republic of Venice
III. The Grand Duchy of Tuscany
Article III. The Holy Roman Empire (Austria) shall hereby agree to a Non-Aggression Treaty with the following nations
I. The Papal States of the Holy Church of Rome
II. The Most Serene Republic of Venice
III. The Grand Duchy of Tuscany
Article III. All of the partaking nations shall agree to a state of Status Quo in regards to the territories of the Italian Peninsula.

[x] His Highness, The Duke of Tuscany, Ferdinando II 'de Medici
[] His Serenity, Doge Francesco Errizo of Venice
[] His Holiness, The Bishop of Rome, Urban VIII
[] His Highness, The King of Spain, Philip IV
[] Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Ferdinand III

The Nation States of Italy reach out to King Philip and Emperor Ferdinand in hopes that the situation in Italy may not boil up and resolve in the deaths of many good Catholic Sons. It is in our sincere hope that his treaty may settle the sovereignty of the before mentioned nations as nations in Italy and establish peace in the region for many years to come.

~His Highness, Duke of the Granducato di Toscana, Head of the House 'de Medici, Head of the Medici Bank, Ferdinando II 'de Medici

​

While the King of Spain is not against this treaty we do not want to sign it as it stands, if the Duke of Tuscany is willing to add a time limit of 15 years (Turns) to the Non-aggression pact then we will sign it.

King Philip the Fourth, by the grace of God king of Castile, Leon, Aragon, the Two Sicilies, Jerusalem, Navarre, Granada, Toledo, Valencia, Galicia, Majorca, Minorca, Seville, Cerdagne, Cordoba, Corsica, Murcia, Jaen, the Algeciras, Gibraltar, the Canary Islands, the Eastern and Western Indies, the islands and terra firma of the Ocean, archduke of Austria, duke of Burgundy, Brabant, Milan, count of Habsburg, Flanders, Tyrol, Barcelona, lord of Biscay and Molina, etc.

 

[etranger01]

The Republic of France​

Though we have achieved victory and banished those pride-blind noblemen who once thought to control our destiny, there is much hard work to be done if the future of France is to be secured and her interests properly represented on the world stage. The Republic stands, but it does so only by the grace of God and the perseverance of honest, humble Frenchmen and their tireless efforts toward preserving our freedom from feudal slavery.

The Directorate shall serve as the sole governmental authority of France in the interim, with full command of her armies and fleets. The principal goal of the Directorate is to rebuild the French economy from the desolation of the civil war, with an emphasis on France's natural role as a hub of trade and producer of goods. However, French security and unity require the full restoration of all former French lands to the rightful representative of the French people, embodied by the Republic and the Directorate, except as otherwise acknowledged by treaty or circumstance.

Finally, the Directorate, on behalf of the people of France, wishes to make known its fraternity and goodwill toward its Protestant brethren, with whom it wishes to establish fruitful and mutually beneficial relationships of both finance and state, so that proper friendships might be established through bilateral commerce.

Strong, united, and at peace with the world, the Directorate and the people of France look toward the future with clear eyes, firm resolve, and an unyielding faith in God and His plan for us.

 

[unmerged(718634)]

​

While the King of Spain is not against this treaty we do not want to sign it as it stands, if the Duke of Tuscany is willing to add a time limit of 15 years (Turns) to the Non-aggression pact then we will sign it.

King Philip the Fourth, by the grace of God king of Castile, Leon, Aragon, the Two Sicilies, Jerusalem, Navarre, Granada, Toledo, Valencia, Galicia, Majorca, Minorca, Seville, Cerdagne, Cordoba, Corsica, Murcia, Jaen, the Algeciras, Gibraltar, the Canary Islands, the Eastern and Western Indies, the islands and terra firma of the Ocean, archduke of Austria, duke of Burgundy, Brabant, Milan, count of Habsburg, Flanders, Tyrol, Barcelona, lord of Biscay and Molina, etc.

The Duke is very much willing to amend the treaty to a period of 15 years in action.

Article IV. The Terms stated in the Treaty of Arrezo shall be annulled following a period of 15 years from its enaction.

~His Highness, Duke of the Granducato di Toscana, Head of the House 'de Medici, Head of the Medici Bank, Ferdinando II 'de Medici

 

[Sneakyflaps]

​

The Duke is very much willing to amend the treaty to a period of 15 years in action.

Article IV. The Terms stated in the Treaty of Arrezo shall be annulled following a period of 15 years from its enaction.

~His Highness, Duke of the Granducato di Toscana, Head of the House 'de Medici, Head of the Medici Bank, Ferdinando II 'de Medici

With this modification i accept.

Signed by Philip IV King of Spain.

Signed King Philip the Fourth, by the grace of God king of Castile, Leon, Aragon, the Two Sicilies, Jerusalem, Navarre, Granada, Toledo, Valencia, Galicia, Majorca, Minorca, Seville, Cerdagne, Cordoba, Corsica, Murcia, Jaen, the Algeciras, Gibraltar, the Canary Islands, the Eastern and Western Indies, the islands and terra firma of the Ocean, archduke of Austria, duke of Burgundy, Brabant, Milan, count of Habsburg, Flanders, Tyrol, Barcelona, lord of Biscay and Molina, etc.

 

[Duke of Britain]

As the terms have been agreed upon by all interested parties, I shall also affix my signature to the treaty of Arrezo.

[X] Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Ferdinand III

 

[Afaslizo]

A German Question
Or: Requiem for a dream

Going along the German Conference in Weimar spectators could barely hide their amusement. After an introduction with great pathos and unheard appelation hte major players did fall back into their known schemes of squabbling over their spoils instead of really concentrating on reform. Thus ist should not come as a wonder to anyone if the result was as unsatisfactory to everyone alike as had been the reform process in the Holy Roman Empire. Sensing that, neither Baden nor Lorraine were intrigued to join this new mess instead of the old tried one and they stayed away from it. Bavaria had yet to awnser that question even though part of the Bishopric of Würzburg were reserved for it if they would join.

Nevertheless the princes did accomplish a throughout cleaning of ecclestial lands and succeeded reducing the number of German principalities to a mere two hundred sixty eight which could of course only be a major improvement. For the presumed overlords that resulted in such ridicously long titles that "etc. pp." become the new fashion in style. The compromises became so foolish everyone thought themselves fooled by all the others around.

Brandenburg-Prussia did not receive Silesia, which would effectively trippled their incomes, but got Pommerania, frustrating Denmark in turn which would walk out of Weimar getting only the rest of Mecklenburg. Hamburg joined Lüneburg, though the joke was going that rather Lüneburg should join Hamburg as the port city was twice as rich as the duchy and even the the lands won from Münster did not change much about that. With their usual modest behaviour the friendly princes mocked Augustus the Elder frequently as Lord Mayor of Hamburg. Saxony succeeded in drawing the ire of Brandenburg, the Commonwealth and Austria alike by clutching Silesia and thought the people and nobility in Silesia were glad about it so was almost no one else.

Funny enough a small minority though made up of powerful princes hoped to copy the Swiss model as a new German state while the Swiss themselves favored a monarch as an effective leader during times of war in this greater union. In the end both were snubbed by the reform commission which envisioned A German Federation with a King of Germany as the representative who merely should be a powerless figurehead in peace but unite and lead the Federation in case of war. Sensing the matter would never be dissolved if the squabbles would last another month the minor princes banded together and offered the Duke of Oldenburg as Savior of Germany the royal crown hoping that the matter would resolve itself later. Later an electorate of the most powerful princes should be established to elect the kings and lead the Court of Germany as well as the Reichstag in Weimar which should be constantly in session.

These electors should be: Switzerland, Brandenburg, Saxony, Lüneburg, Oldenburg, Palatinate, Hesse and the United Provinces (and Bavaria if they would join). Nevertheless the fould compromise, the haggling and grand partition plans were already the laughing stock throughout Europe while Viena, Warzawa and Stockholm almost assured be plotting to end this mess in a more favorable solution for themselves.

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/9342/oqm5.png

GM Note: Bavaria has to make a decision if they join or not; Orders are due Thursday the 26th

 

[nachopontmercy]

The Treaty of Arezzo

With a joyful heart We sign this Treaty that will ensure peace and stability between the Catholic nations, and We both support and encourage all signants to keep an amiable relationship to face the dark times that menace all of Us. This is truly an initiative blessed by God.


[X] His Holiness, The Bishop of Rome, Urbanus VIII

 

[Afaslizo]

The Grand Sultan of Timbuktu

Declaration of War​

Brethren, Children of the Prophet, true believers,

for far too long the heathens have polluted the costs of Africa and tyrannized the faithful. As the Lord and Protector of the faithful and of Africa we call upon you to awnser our call and join us against our rightful jihad against the so-called Portugese in Guinea. The time to liberate our brothers has come. Arise my children. Together we will cleanse the heretics and sinners away!

Muhammad II. of Timbuktu, the Light of the Lord on Earth, Protector of the faithful