In Anno Domini 1492 I was graced with a position in the Royal Government of France. Forsaking my family's small positions in Burgundy I hastened to the capitol to seize - I mean - assume control of the civil & diplomatic corps. Although a large power France at that time was plagued by a weak goverment and economy. I resolved to address both issues.
I began by surveying the bordering nations. The alliance with the Papal States and Savoy did not seem quite large enough. I managed to entice Baden, Wurtemburg, and Helvatia into the alliance. North eastern frotniers though a problem arose that gave me pause. While originally I had intended to guide France into a new age of peace and hramony the small nation of Alcace Lorraine was coming uncomfortably close to leaguing with the hated Spanish.
Before such a vile union could come about I threw the full might of France at the little nation, swallowing it up in mere months. Spain, concentrating upon the Recondista, was remarkably quiet on this, in fact entering into a RM with our esteemed monarch.
The next few decades were spent in economic development. The frontiers were fortifed, but otherwise all money went into the building of tax collectors and new techniques. The Alliance was maintained, though eventually the Papal States broke from us, prefering instead to become a Spanish laptog. Peace was the order of the day in Western Europe, and everybody profited from it.
The Road to Empire
I said before that I had wished to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, and I meant it. But when our Fair Sovereign became ill, his doctors suggested a desert climate might maintain his health. Tunisia, with an excellent location and port facilities was the ideal target. Its not my fault that the army misunderstood some orders and drove into Tripoli as well.
Strengthening Ties
The Grand Alliance that I had spent so much time and money building was beginning to fray. Jealous of France's power relations with Savoy, Helvatia and Baden began to deteriorate. Wurtenburg bolted altogether. This forced me to abandon some of the building programs in favor of massive infusions of gold to these fickle nations. They eventually came around, so long as the gold flowed of course.
Breaking down the barriers
Times were good. I enjoyed watching my erstwhile allies go from partners in the Great Game to junior partners eventually becoming mere satellites orbiting the French sun. Their will softened by gold all three were vassalized. And it came not a moment too late. Foul heretics were preaching against the Holy Church, spreading sedition and strife throughout Europe.
The Blow Against Apostacy
Germany, torn by religious wars and political discent. With Baden and Helvatia mie in all but name I decided to strike against the foul Protestants. Thuringen was the nearest and least protected target. The heathens were crushed utterly. Looking at a map I fancied that province as a spear, thrust into Germany and the heart of Protestantism in Europe.
Consolidatition
During the holy crusade in Thuringen a Protestant army slipped through and ransacked Baden and Helvatia. Even laying seige to Geneva itself. This I could not allow. If my vassals were unable to protect their own borders how then could I rely upon them to screen my eastern marches? Next time it could be French provinces sackedd!
One of the relief columns to the Thuringen occupation made a brief stop over in Baden and it was strongly "suggested" to the prince that relations with France should be made slightly more permament. He accepted and was given a nice plot of land in the Saharra. Similar messages were sent to Helvatia, and eventually Savoy. Thus my desire to avoid bloodshed led to the peaceful annexation of my old allies.
Midpoint
It has now been some decades since those bloodless coups. Exploration overseas, sporatic at first continues. A handful of of trading posts and colonies are now maintained. While relations with the other Great Powers are very strained, a few nasty wars demonstrated the folly of attacking France. If my cities are burning wrecks then at least I sent England's navy to the bottom, trashed Iberia, and gave the moslem North Africans a terrible pounding.
I began by surveying the bordering nations. The alliance with the Papal States and Savoy did not seem quite large enough. I managed to entice Baden, Wurtemburg, and Helvatia into the alliance. North eastern frotniers though a problem arose that gave me pause. While originally I had intended to guide France into a new age of peace and hramony the small nation of Alcace Lorraine was coming uncomfortably close to leaguing with the hated Spanish.
Before such a vile union could come about I threw the full might of France at the little nation, swallowing it up in mere months. Spain, concentrating upon the Recondista, was remarkably quiet on this, in fact entering into a RM with our esteemed monarch.
The next few decades were spent in economic development. The frontiers were fortifed, but otherwise all money went into the building of tax collectors and new techniques. The Alliance was maintained, though eventually the Papal States broke from us, prefering instead to become a Spanish laptog. Peace was the order of the day in Western Europe, and everybody profited from it.
The Road to Empire
I said before that I had wished to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, and I meant it. But when our Fair Sovereign became ill, his doctors suggested a desert climate might maintain his health. Tunisia, with an excellent location and port facilities was the ideal target. Its not my fault that the army misunderstood some orders and drove into Tripoli as well.
Strengthening Ties
The Grand Alliance that I had spent so much time and money building was beginning to fray. Jealous of France's power relations with Savoy, Helvatia and Baden began to deteriorate. Wurtenburg bolted altogether. This forced me to abandon some of the building programs in favor of massive infusions of gold to these fickle nations. They eventually came around, so long as the gold flowed of course.
Breaking down the barriers
Times were good. I enjoyed watching my erstwhile allies go from partners in the Great Game to junior partners eventually becoming mere satellites orbiting the French sun. Their will softened by gold all three were vassalized. And it came not a moment too late. Foul heretics were preaching against the Holy Church, spreading sedition and strife throughout Europe.
The Blow Against Apostacy
Germany, torn by religious wars and political discent. With Baden and Helvatia mie in all but name I decided to strike against the foul Protestants. Thuringen was the nearest and least protected target. The heathens were crushed utterly. Looking at a map I fancied that province as a spear, thrust into Germany and the heart of Protestantism in Europe.
Consolidatition
During the holy crusade in Thuringen a Protestant army slipped through and ransacked Baden and Helvatia. Even laying seige to Geneva itself. This I could not allow. If my vassals were unable to protect their own borders how then could I rely upon them to screen my eastern marches? Next time it could be French provinces sackedd!
One of the relief columns to the Thuringen occupation made a brief stop over in Baden and it was strongly "suggested" to the prince that relations with France should be made slightly more permament. He accepted and was given a nice plot of land in the Saharra. Similar messages were sent to Helvatia, and eventually Savoy. Thus my desire to avoid bloodshed led to the peaceful annexation of my old allies.
Midpoint
It has now been some decades since those bloodless coups. Exploration overseas, sporatic at first continues. A handful of of trading posts and colonies are now maintained. While relations with the other Great Powers are very strained, a few nasty wars demonstrated the folly of attacking France. If my cities are burning wrecks then at least I sent England's navy to the bottom, trashed Iberia, and gave the moslem North Africans a terrible pounding.
Interesting approach, how far into it are you? And do you have screenshots? Good job so far!
