Authors : Bulldozer, Cobjor, Dr Bob, Elio Vasa, Fnuco, Jamala, Konrad, Nabuko (alphabetical order). thanks to them and also thanks to the rest of the crew, we had a great game.
Compiled by : Balinus
This is only for pleasure.....Most of this is taken from the AAR thread of Newbie game. Of course, a lot of info is missing due to poor memory and time constraint.
Early wars in the HRE :
The Swabian War
The Reich once the most glorious of christian kingdoms was not in a good state. Roads were not safe and only fortified cities presented sufficient protection against looting gangs and robber barons. The italian Lords and
Republics openly defied Imperial Rule. In Germany the people enserfed and poor were rising in great numbers. In this situation the Emperor Maximilian I. came back to his hometown and capital Vienna to counsel with his retainers.
At this moment a messager arrived with a letter to the Emperor. „St. Gallen has been occupied by the Swiss and it’s major askes for help to retake the city.“ explained the Emperor „so God has shown us what to do next. Melchior
contact our vassals and Georg gather the imperial troops in Swabia.“
Von Frundsberg marched quickly into Württemberg and forced the surrender of the Swabian League but the Swiss forces assisted by Graubünden were too strong and well trained to assault with his force alone. Meanwhile from all over the Empire loyal troops came on the Emperors request. Bavaria and Bohemia send the strongest forces and even the King of Hungary came with a sizable army to assist his christian ally and Franz von Sickingen had gathered many loyal Knights in the Palatinate. And so the Swiss were defeated by the royal forces and peace restored in the Southern Kingdom of Germany.
1493:
On this map can be seen the final stage of the Swabian war before the decisive intervention of the Knights under von Sickingen. Note also the Venetian expansion into Italy.
The Emperor makes his might felt in the North In the South erupts a final time the great struggle between Emperor and Pope
The Imperial Diet summoned to a meeting in the city of Freiburg discussed the consequences of the Swabian War. Here Melchior questioned Maximilian on the further course of the Empire. „Not much response on your call for Christian unity it seems.“ „Yes, admitted the Emperor with a sad face, „ it seems the King of Hungary and the Roman Emperor stand alone against Ottoman conquest of Europe. Gone are the times of our ancestors when the
Christian realms were standing together to face the Arabian Heretics.“ „You’re sure you want to grant this Knight von Sickingen Switzerland as a fief? You know what Georg has said about him: a relict of the past, more bold than skillful.“ „Well he still fought valiantly and haven’t the Knights always been loyal to the German King?“ answered the Emperor and Melchior seeing that he couldn’t revise his opinion changed the subject „Well but let’s talk about
other important matters. I bring news from the war in the North!“ „Has there been battle with the Duke of Brandenburg?“ „No, but after Georg cut his supplies his army of mercenaries just faded away. The threatend Hanseatic
Cities have made consessions for our help and Duke Johann has surrendered! I think noone will object you stripping him of some territory if you leave him his status as elector. What fiefs are planned for this territory?“ The Emperor just laughed „None at all. It’s been a long time since the Emperor was felt there. These places will serve as a foot in the door of the North. Now as fast as Georg is back we will cross the Alpes to finally stop Venice! I heard they are already at war with our Hungarian allies!“ „Venice is not to be feared but a mightier force is backing them.“ „The Pope, Melchior?“ „Yes the Pope has invited the Venetians to assist him in Italy. The situation of the Italian Republics is desperate.“ „Then atleast we don’t have to fear their objections when we join this struggle. My predecessors dethroned many Popes. Maybe it’s time to revive an old tradition.“
And so an Imperial Force joined the Hungarians in their attack against the Venetian strongholds along the Adrian coastline, a small army under Georg von Frundsberg took Venice in a surprise attack and the Imperial main army under the Emperor’s Brother Ferdinand rushed down the Italian mainland easily taking one fortified city after another often with help from within. The Pope realising his forces were beaten and no help was coming from foreign nations
accepted the Emperors souveranity over Italy. In a last moment of imperial glory the Emperor ahead of his vassals entered the Holy City to be ceremonial affirmed through a coronation by the Pope.
1494:
Movements of the Imperial force which took the Duchy of Brandenburg while it‘s army is busy sieging Lübeck, head of the Hanseatic League
Jan 1507:
The opportunistic Ottomans took control, under the nose of the western power, of the rich region of Tuscany. Doing so, they also took control of most of the trade in the Mediterranean in the early 1500's. The King of Spain was most upset by this event. Ottomans kept this uphand on trade for almost 30 yrs. Spain succeeded in taking this COt in a war, along with Persia.
Jan 1527:
Feb 1527:
April 1534:
Battle with the Spanish, they were slaughtered here, none of them returned home. Right after this battle, Spain peaced out.
March 1537
After English treachery their navy controlled Sund, it allowed Austrians to march into heart of Sweden's empire. After this battle (lost) Austrian hordes flooded Scandinavia.
July 1538:
This is after France entered war on Sweden's side, English navy had to go back and defend a channel, Sweden managed to assemble a new army and started to free up my land
Sept 1538:
This is a battle were English famous leader, Henrys VIII bastard was killed with his whole army in the mountains of Ostlandet.
March 1539:
The reconquista continues.
After the war England said that they were the winners, but at the end my troops recaptured all taken provinces and succesfully besieged Mecklenburg and Bremen also have a look at the stats and the losses, you will see who the real winner was
Oct 1542: And England takes advantage of the Austrian-English defeat to steal a province from the HRE, or as the King put it "Save North Germany from the only army remaining in austria of the King of Holstein" the province was
eventually sold for a rather nice sum back to the Austrians although it took over 100 years and a well constructed ad campaign
http://tourist-information.de/?dynmenue=no&size=small
Jan 1545:
May 1562:
July 1582:
Europe was in flames, the Swedes were fighting the Portuguese and their Spanish allies, France had declared war upon Austria and Spain was issuing ultimatums for France to make peace. And even as Spain joined Austria to fight France the heathen Turk dragged himself away from his harems to declare war on Spain. But England kept herself out of it, we had not the army to fight an offensive war yet and we were involved in a delicate situation on the other side of the world.
France and Austria and Spain agreed to a white peace as superior Austrian numbers and training had pushed the French back to their homeland and destroyed the early gains made by France. The ottomans and Spain also agreed to a white peace soon after, the English spies were unable to find out how this war was progressing but it looked like a stalemate at the time of the Armistice.
Excerpt :
Still, heavy fighting was seen in northern Italy, as the French tried to get Spain out of the war. Spain suffered some losses there, but Gascogne was heavily besieged by our forces. Seeing that war on two fronts was impossible against the mighty Habsburgs, France agreed to a white peace, happy to mantain teritorial integrity. Farnese shattered the infidels in the south, and the Sultan offered a white peace. Spain, to show the clemence of its most powerful king, accepted."
Sweden however were forced to accept the loss of many developed colonies to Portugal as thet suffered a string of defeats across the world to Portugeuese-Spanish forces.
Excerpt from the notebook of a Portugeese captain :
"We didn’t meet much resistance in this early stage of the war and all african provinces controlled by Sweden fell. Indonesia was next and our fleet shiped a big army over the Ocean to be able to siege the main Swedish outpost in Indonesia. But the swedes weren’t beaten yet and a great fleet was soon sigthed outside Lisbon, the spanish fleet in the area was beaten and had to retreat to the harbour of Lisbon.
And for the second time in history a great swedish army of nearly 75 thousand men embarked on our mainland and started sieging our capital. This was what we had feared would happen but this time we weren’t alone. As soon as the Spanish ruler heard of our situation he sent his greatest general Farness with a great army to liberate Lisbon."
This has forced Sweden to look back into Europe and may have been one of the causes for the Swedish blitzkreig into Russia soon after, the war was over in a couple of years, the Russian hordes did not moblise swiftly enough and many key provinces were lost to assualts from the superb Swedish troops. Russia had to accept the loss of Ingermaland and Kexholm to the Swedes. Sweden now had almost total control of the Baltic apart from the freeport of Holstein.
Excerpt found in an old church in Africa :
"A colony was established near the cape of good hope, to ensure an exploration of the indian coast and further to indonesia and the philippines. In Ethiopia our brave colonists were brutaly murdered by the pagan africans. They will be avenged."
Jan 1601:
Old paper found in the royal archive of Spanish court :
"War on the French! The Habsburgs will no longer stand to see the Bourbons claiming to be an important ruling family in Europe. By mere luck and thanks to the work of petty clerks who made up a glorious past their obscure origins, they managed to rise to the throne of France. The insolence of these small Navarran nobles to call themselves our equals!"
Of course Spain and Austria thought fit to reduce them to the rank they deserve. Also, by a bulla, the Pope (NDLR : controlled by the Spanish at this time) granted Felipe the rank of king of all Italians. Spain was asking for our rights in Lombardia and Liguria, while Austria demanded the dutch province of Flandern.
In march 1605 war was declared by Austria and Spain quickly joined our brothers. France could not resist the massive attacks in the north, where hundreds of thousands of austrian solders invaded Flandern, Picardie, Champagne, Lorraine and from the west, especially in Schyz and Franche-Comte.
The other European powers were obviously worried about the Habsburgs' growing power and what it might become after silencing France. The cursed trukish dogs declared war upon Spain in the autumn of the same year, followed shortly by the half-pagan barbarians from the north, the Swedes.
The war went on for years...
Excerpt :
"Peace had to be signed. The people demanded it. Spanish lands passed to the infidel scum! The Baleares and Malta were lost! But peace was signed on the Southern front, and all our wrath fell on the French."
Province after province, the French lands passed to the Alliance. The French king himself came to the Austrian Emperor and kneeled before him asking for peace. Flandern became Austrian and Italy was re-united for the first time
after the Roman Empire.
Jan 1612:
April 1628: And England's religious policy changed drastically throughout the game with their freedom of worship policy being in vogue here
Feb 1631:
Feb 1631:
Strange note found in a Orthodox Church of Crimea :
"Barbarians! The Emperor greets you all! The flower of all civilizations, China, has decided to end your isolation! You may therefore send your envoys to the mighty Emperor and seek his wisdom! The Emperor especially iinvites his most trusted friends - the Great Sultan of the Ottoman Empire and the Magnicifent Shah of Persia - to visit him. May they, even if they are barbarians, although good ones, rule forever!
Barbarians, listen! Any interference within Chinas sphere of interest, without the Emperors approval, will not be tolerated!
Lastly, the Emperor mourns the death of the Great barbarian king Abbas. Abbas, who helped China when some misguided individuals wrongly tried to overthrow the Emperor, will be remembered! Praise his name - and let Abbas forever be known as the Most Friendly Barbarian - or in chinese - Conan, the Barbarian!"
1631 anno domini - the Spanish Empire is the richest and largest country, with the largest army and fleet in the world.
The Spanish Empire was in another era of happiness and prosperity. Internal affairs were as organized as they get, colonists were sailing from andalusia and gibraltar to the Americas. The new rich lands greatly improved the
Empire's wealth and prestige throughout the world.
In the rest of the world no agressions were shown as lands were rebuilt and economies recovered. But after after many years of peace wars were declared and it became clear that the old european grudges only had been resting in shadow.
Nov 1631:
March 1661:
This strange transcript was found in an little box of unknown material. Some scientist claim that it is made from paladium, a component we can find on Jupiter :
"[Deep voice: And now over to our commentators for next session – mr D. Evil and mr D. Emon – yours truly, our most hated – Damien & Damien!]
[Audience cheers]
D.Evil: Welcome to Hell-tv!
D.Emon: Tonight we will follow the next episode of the battle of humans [*spits on the floor*] on planet Z14OK3.
D.Evil: As you might remember, a bunch of “humies”…
[Audience: Boooooooooooooooooooo!]
D.Evil: …fights for the title of “Newbee of the year”.
D.Emon: We now have about six or seven sessions left of the battle. And the tension is building up.
D.Evil: Looks promising.
D.Emon: Right you are, Damien.
D.Evil: What did you think of the last session?
D.Emon: Last sessions were a little bit boring.
D.Evil: I agree. Some nice wars, but the same old standard alliances.
D.Emon: Still, a lot of blood!
[Audience chants: Blood, blood, blood!!!]
D.Evil: Tell us more about the wars!
D.Emon: Well, first we had a war between Persia and Portugal vs England. Rather good one.
D.Evil: But not that many casualties.
D.Emon: Yeah, not enough. But then there was a war between Ottoman Empire and France vs. Persia, Austria and Spain.
D.Evil: Good one Damien?
D.Emon: Yes. Lots of causualties.
D.Evil: Yummie.
D.Emon: And it was three against two! Which is not so fair.
D.Evil: And for those who not follow us – that is what we like!
D.Emon & D.Evil: Muhahahahahahah….
[Audience cheers]
D.Emon: And there was a small hint of a betrayal in that war……
[Deep voice whispering: Betrayal……..]
[Audience, excited: Ohhhhhhhhh…..]
D.Emon [with voice of small schoolgirl]: But betrayal is not so nice, can you really do that?
[D.Emon, D.Evil, Audience: Muhahahahahaha….]
D.Evil: This game would really need some more betrayals, double-betrayals and backstabs.
D.Emon: Sure. That whould be so goooood…
D.Evil: Damien, you mean baaaaad - this is after all – Hell-tv!
[Audience laughts..…]
D.Emon: Right you are. So what is going to happen this session?
D.Evil: Hard to tell. We’re hoping to get some nasty wars!
D.Emon: Tell us more!
D.Evil: My guess is that Sweden and Russia will have a war.
D.Emon: Yeah, they usually have one every now and then. What else?
D.Evil: Well, if I am not wrong, Persia is still after the whole of India. That means war with England.
D.Emon: And most likely will Portugal join.
D.Evil: Perfect, Damien.
D.Emon: Absolutely.
D.Evil: What do you think of Persia’s expansion in India?
D.Emon: A little bit greedy?
D.Evil: And we like greed, greed is so baaaaaad.
[Audiens: Muhahahahaha]
D.Emon: What more?
D.Evil: The question is, have Persia and the Ottoman Empire settled their differences?
D.Emon: Let us hope not so!
D.Evil: Exactly.
D.Emon: And maybe Spain and France will start fighting!
D.Evil: We sure would like that. Who knows. Anything else?
D.Emon: Well, I have heard some rumors about extortion….
[Audience: Ohhhhhhhh….]
D.Evil: That is so baaaaaad!
D.Emon: Right, Damien, and don´t we just looovv…., I mean, hate extortion?
[Audience cheers]
D.Evil: Yes we do. But tell me, who is going to do that?
D.Emon: Well, you could never guess – it is China!
D.Evil: China? Are you kidding, Damien?
D.Emon: I can see why you’re surprised, since they haven´t been involved in any wars so far……
[Audience: Boooooooooo!!!!]
D.Emon:… which is [*spits on the floor*] so peaceful.
D.Evil: You mean disgusting.
D.Emon: Right, Damien, absolutely disgusting.
[Deep voice: This is, after all, Hell-tv. We will be back shortly, after the commercials….]"
Jan 1701:
once again, from the same strange source :
[Deep voice: They are back, even more vicious – our most hated commentators – mr D. Evil and mr D. Emon, Damien &
Damien!]
[Audience roar]
D.Evil: All demons and devils, hope you still are watching us!
D.Emon: Yep, another episode on planet Z14OK3 coming up. What happened last session, Damien?
D.Evil: A lot. Some evil things, some bad things – but no world war.
D.Emon: Yep, we now badly needs a world war. Even if there are a few skirmishers here and there, nothing is as bad
as a big world war!
D.Evil: Except napalm, some torches and a squadron of small schoolgirls running around naked……
D.Emon: …..together with an old lady with a fire distinguisher that doesn’t work!
[D.Emon, D.Evil, Audience: Muhahahahahaha….]
D.Evil: Well, nothing beats that! Oh, that brings up some bad old memories…
D.Emon: Back to business. What did you think of the last session?
D.Emon: Last sessions were…. quite funny.
D.Evil: I agree. Lots of casualties. And let us not forget, a war that almost lasted the whole session! And it is not over yet!
D.Emon: That’s a lot of blood flowing there!
[Audience chants: Blood, blood, blood!!!]
D.Evil: Will Russia and Sweden ever be friends?
D.Emon: Let us not hope so!
D.Evil: Right you are!
D.Emon: And then there was two wars between Ottoman Empire and Austria.
D.Evil: Good move by Austria, especially in the second war.
D.Emon: Yes, Austria caught the Ottoman Empire completely off guard. It was even a fight!
D.Evil: Austria – we salute you! That was evil!
D.Emon: A beauty. Other nice wars?
D.Evil: Well, some small ones, but no real wars.
D.Emon: Pathetic. Fake wars are so boring.
D.Evil: I said it before, and say it again. This game would really need some more betrayals, double-betrayals and backstabs.
D.Emon: Sure. That would be so baaaaad!
D.Evil. Right.
D.Emon: Anything other of interest last session?
D.Evil: An embargo here, a fake “duel” there. The true enjoyment was the wars.
D.Emon: But didn’t we have some fraud?
D.Evil: Yes, a little one. Not that good, but still – fraud is fraud!
D.Emon: Not as good as a war, but better then nothing!
D.Evil: The big disappointment still is China.
D.Emon: Yep. No real wars, a-b-s-o-l-u-t-e-l-y p-a-t-h-e-t-i-c.
D.Evil: Could not have said it better myself.
D.Emon: Do we have something else more worth mentioning?
D.Evil: Don’t think so.
D.Emon: Still five minutes left until next session.
[Pause…. Nothing happens for a few seconds]
D.Evil: Well, anything *spits on the floor* good happen?
[Audience mumbles…..]
D.Emon *looks stern at D.Evil*: Not that king of language here!
D.Evil: Shut up!
D.Emon: What?
D.Evil: You heard me!
D.Emon: Do you know who you are talking to?
D.Evil: Some puny thing who doesn’t have a tail!
[Audience: ohhhhhhhhh *looks exited*]
D.Emon: You will eat that – your little good-hearted priest!
[Audience chants “fight, fight, fight”]
D.Evil: Good-hearted? Now, that is……
*D.Emon and D.Evil starts fighting*
[Deep voice: This is, after all, Hell-tv. If we can´t bring you some more wars, at least we show you a fight. Back after the commercials….]"
Jan 1734:
In a crucial mistake during the king's absence (sub) the Spanish Cortes chose Bourbon kings instead of Habsburg ones. With deep regrets, the current Imperial premier apologizes to the Habsburg Imperial court, but wishes to
inform that the king will not have any decision power in the future state affairs. And so far, this policy proved quite successful.
Jan 1734:
Jan 1734:
Between 1734 and 1762, most of the maps and excerpt have been destroyed in the sack on Vienna of 1769. Memories recall that Austria managed to win victory of the 5th first Balkanite wars. Ottomans were diplomatically isolated
and Austria saw a lot of good general birth on this battlefield. However, Destiny choosed otherwise in respect of the fate of the Balkans. Combined Chineese and Ottomans forces stopped this strong tide. Slowly, Austria was
putted back to their former frontiers, with the help of general Hung Li.
What follow is some sketches of the wars, when China entered in Europe and began to mess with western power.
Nov 1762:
After Hung Li had liberated the Buddist in the Far East, he was sent to Europa. In 1762, he landed in Egypt and in january 1763 he crushed the Austrian troops in Delta (note that the Chinese troops still fights without riffles....)
Jan 1763:
After Egypt was liberated, Hung Li contiuned his long march to the Balkan lands. And in november 1764, Chinese troops crossed the border to Austrian lands.
Nov 1764:
A year after that, the first big battle with Austrian troops toke place in mountians around Ragusa. Notice here the different tactics, China uses infantry, Austria cavarly. China and the Ottoman Empire won the battle.
Nov 1765:
April 1766:
May 1766:
Soon Dalmatia was in Chinas control. Together with Ottoman troops, a trap was set in Croatia.
June (12) 1766:
In August 1766, Hung Li´s army was almost destroy in the second battle of Dalmatia. But Chinese superior morale let them win the battle. After this battle, Hung Li withdraw to reinforce with new troops.
August 1766:
In 1767, the brave Austrian had once again pushed back the Chinese and Ottoman troops (Dalmatia is once again in Austrian control). In june, a battle took place in Bosnia. The Austrian army was almost destroyed.
June 1767:
July 1767:
August 1768:
During 1768, a lot of battles took place. In 1769, Chinese and Ottoman armies had regrouped and during february a new attack on Austria was made.
Feb (3) 1769:
Feb (22) 1769:
Signs of the Russian attack on Austria could now be seen on the Balkan front as the Austrians seemed out of reinforces. In the west, Spain and England had won thier war against France. Rumours says that English troops, using a clever tactic, destroyed a hugh France army by surprice and that the English flag now flows over Calais. Spainish troops now hurried to the Balkan front. The race for Vienna was on (notice that China now controls Bosnia, Dalamatia, Odenburg and soon Croatia, and that the chinese troops have started to siege Vienna).
June 1769:
July 1769:
In november 1769, Hung Li reached Vienna and the assualt could begun.
Nov 1769:
Austrian and Spanish troops tried to stopp the assult, but they failed and was, after this painting was made, beaten.
Dec 1769:
After the fall of Vienna, Austria was ready for peace. The Emperor gained two loyal vassals in Europe.
In 1776, the arch-enemy, the sultan, found himself once again facing the might of the Spanish armies, as war has been declared to help our Austrian brothers in the HRE. Ventura Caro, one of our generals, boarded the ships in Rousilon heading for Genoa, from where he went to Veneto, linking with the new army of recruits. The 70 thousand new men army had also 120 cannons, so Caro charged to liberate the Austrian province of Dalmatia from the evil yellow-faced demons of China. But, as history taught us, haste is not a good war tactic. The supply lines traced through istria could not allow food and ammunition to be shipped in large quantities to the army. Five thousand people died of hunger and attrition in our own teritory! The public opinion was appaled, Ventura Caro was called the worst general since Francisco de Melo, who lost Bearn and Rousillon to the French
Jan 1776:
April 1776:
During the second war between the Ottoman Empire and China vs. Spain and Austria, Hung Li - now together with his young apprentice, D.Emon - once again showed Chinas enemies the skill and fighting spirit of the chinese warriors. Soon after this painting was made, the Spannish army was annihilated
Nov (11) 1776:
Nov (21) 1776:
July 1777:
June (23) 1778:
July 1778:
Hung Li, now rather old of age, gets help from D.Emon.
Nov 1779:
D.Emon, just like his teacher Hung Li, lead the Chinese and the Ottoman Empire troops in an attack on Vienna.
Feb (5) 1780:
Feb (18) 1780:
Feb (27) 1780:
A D.Emon in Vienna.
May 1780 :
The result of the war was not what the allies had hope for... Due to some mistake by a Chinese diplomat - may he rest in peace - the maps of the Balkans was once more a little bit complicated..
August 1780:
Feb 1781:
April 1781:
April 1786:
Those sketches now lead us to the final showdown of modern history.
(To be continued...)
Compiled by : Balinus
This is only for pleasure.....Most of this is taken from the AAR thread of Newbie game. Of course, a lot of info is missing due to poor memory and time constraint.
Early wars in the HRE :
The Swabian War
The Reich once the most glorious of christian kingdoms was not in a good state. Roads were not safe and only fortified cities presented sufficient protection against looting gangs and robber barons. The italian Lords and
Republics openly defied Imperial Rule. In Germany the people enserfed and poor were rising in great numbers. In this situation the Emperor Maximilian I. came back to his hometown and capital Vienna to counsel with his retainers.
At this moment a messager arrived with a letter to the Emperor. „St. Gallen has been occupied by the Swiss and it’s major askes for help to retake the city.“ explained the Emperor „so God has shown us what to do next. Melchior
contact our vassals and Georg gather the imperial troops in Swabia.“
Von Frundsberg marched quickly into Württemberg and forced the surrender of the Swabian League but the Swiss forces assisted by Graubünden were too strong and well trained to assault with his force alone. Meanwhile from all over the Empire loyal troops came on the Emperors request. Bavaria and Bohemia send the strongest forces and even the King of Hungary came with a sizable army to assist his christian ally and Franz von Sickingen had gathered many loyal Knights in the Palatinate. And so the Swiss were defeated by the royal forces and peace restored in the Southern Kingdom of Germany.
1493:
On this map can be seen the final stage of the Swabian war before the decisive intervention of the Knights under von Sickingen. Note also the Venetian expansion into Italy.
The Emperor makes his might felt in the North In the South erupts a final time the great struggle between Emperor and Pope
The Imperial Diet summoned to a meeting in the city of Freiburg discussed the consequences of the Swabian War. Here Melchior questioned Maximilian on the further course of the Empire. „Not much response on your call for Christian unity it seems.“ „Yes, admitted the Emperor with a sad face, „ it seems the King of Hungary and the Roman Emperor stand alone against Ottoman conquest of Europe. Gone are the times of our ancestors when the
Christian realms were standing together to face the Arabian Heretics.“ „You’re sure you want to grant this Knight von Sickingen Switzerland as a fief? You know what Georg has said about him: a relict of the past, more bold than skillful.“ „Well he still fought valiantly and haven’t the Knights always been loyal to the German King?“ answered the Emperor and Melchior seeing that he couldn’t revise his opinion changed the subject „Well but let’s talk about
other important matters. I bring news from the war in the North!“ „Has there been battle with the Duke of Brandenburg?“ „No, but after Georg cut his supplies his army of mercenaries just faded away. The threatend Hanseatic
Cities have made consessions for our help and Duke Johann has surrendered! I think noone will object you stripping him of some territory if you leave him his status as elector. What fiefs are planned for this territory?“ The Emperor just laughed „None at all. It’s been a long time since the Emperor was felt there. These places will serve as a foot in the door of the North. Now as fast as Georg is back we will cross the Alpes to finally stop Venice! I heard they are already at war with our Hungarian allies!“ „Venice is not to be feared but a mightier force is backing them.“ „The Pope, Melchior?“ „Yes the Pope has invited the Venetians to assist him in Italy. The situation of the Italian Republics is desperate.“ „Then atleast we don’t have to fear their objections when we join this struggle. My predecessors dethroned many Popes. Maybe it’s time to revive an old tradition.“
And so an Imperial Force joined the Hungarians in their attack against the Venetian strongholds along the Adrian coastline, a small army under Georg von Frundsberg took Venice in a surprise attack and the Imperial main army under the Emperor’s Brother Ferdinand rushed down the Italian mainland easily taking one fortified city after another often with help from within. The Pope realising his forces were beaten and no help was coming from foreign nations
accepted the Emperors souveranity over Italy. In a last moment of imperial glory the Emperor ahead of his vassals entered the Holy City to be ceremonial affirmed through a coronation by the Pope.
1494:
Movements of the Imperial force which took the Duchy of Brandenburg while it‘s army is busy sieging Lübeck, head of the Hanseatic League
Jan 1507:
The opportunistic Ottomans took control, under the nose of the western power, of the rich region of Tuscany. Doing so, they also took control of most of the trade in the Mediterranean in the early 1500's. The King of Spain was most upset by this event. Ottomans kept this uphand on trade for almost 30 yrs. Spain succeeded in taking this COt in a war, along with Persia.
Jan 1527:
Feb 1527:
April 1534:
Battle with the Spanish, they were slaughtered here, none of them returned home. Right after this battle, Spain peaced out.
March 1537
After English treachery their navy controlled Sund, it allowed Austrians to march into heart of Sweden's empire. After this battle (lost) Austrian hordes flooded Scandinavia.
July 1538:
This is after France entered war on Sweden's side, English navy had to go back and defend a channel, Sweden managed to assemble a new army and started to free up my land
Sept 1538:
This is a battle were English famous leader, Henrys VIII bastard was killed with his whole army in the mountains of Ostlandet.
March 1539:
The reconquista continues.
After the war England said that they were the winners, but at the end my troops recaptured all taken provinces and succesfully besieged Mecklenburg and Bremen also have a look at the stats and the losses, you will see who the real winner was
Oct 1542: And England takes advantage of the Austrian-English defeat to steal a province from the HRE, or as the King put it "Save North Germany from the only army remaining in austria of the King of Holstein" the province was
eventually sold for a rather nice sum back to the Austrians although it took over 100 years and a well constructed ad campaign
http://tourist-information.de/?dynmenue=no&size=small
Jan 1545:
May 1562:
July 1582:
Europe was in flames, the Swedes were fighting the Portuguese and their Spanish allies, France had declared war upon Austria and Spain was issuing ultimatums for France to make peace. And even as Spain joined Austria to fight France the heathen Turk dragged himself away from his harems to declare war on Spain. But England kept herself out of it, we had not the army to fight an offensive war yet and we were involved in a delicate situation on the other side of the world.
France and Austria and Spain agreed to a white peace as superior Austrian numbers and training had pushed the French back to their homeland and destroyed the early gains made by France. The ottomans and Spain also agreed to a white peace soon after, the English spies were unable to find out how this war was progressing but it looked like a stalemate at the time of the Armistice.
Excerpt :
Still, heavy fighting was seen in northern Italy, as the French tried to get Spain out of the war. Spain suffered some losses there, but Gascogne was heavily besieged by our forces. Seeing that war on two fronts was impossible against the mighty Habsburgs, France agreed to a white peace, happy to mantain teritorial integrity. Farnese shattered the infidels in the south, and the Sultan offered a white peace. Spain, to show the clemence of its most powerful king, accepted."
Sweden however were forced to accept the loss of many developed colonies to Portugal as thet suffered a string of defeats across the world to Portugeuese-Spanish forces.
Excerpt from the notebook of a Portugeese captain :
"We didn’t meet much resistance in this early stage of the war and all african provinces controlled by Sweden fell. Indonesia was next and our fleet shiped a big army over the Ocean to be able to siege the main Swedish outpost in Indonesia. But the swedes weren’t beaten yet and a great fleet was soon sigthed outside Lisbon, the spanish fleet in the area was beaten and had to retreat to the harbour of Lisbon.
And for the second time in history a great swedish army of nearly 75 thousand men embarked on our mainland and started sieging our capital. This was what we had feared would happen but this time we weren’t alone. As soon as the Spanish ruler heard of our situation he sent his greatest general Farness with a great army to liberate Lisbon."
This has forced Sweden to look back into Europe and may have been one of the causes for the Swedish blitzkreig into Russia soon after, the war was over in a couple of years, the Russian hordes did not moblise swiftly enough and many key provinces were lost to assualts from the superb Swedish troops. Russia had to accept the loss of Ingermaland and Kexholm to the Swedes. Sweden now had almost total control of the Baltic apart from the freeport of Holstein.
Excerpt found in an old church in Africa :
"A colony was established near the cape of good hope, to ensure an exploration of the indian coast and further to indonesia and the philippines. In Ethiopia our brave colonists were brutaly murdered by the pagan africans. They will be avenged."
Jan 1601:
Old paper found in the royal archive of Spanish court :
"War on the French! The Habsburgs will no longer stand to see the Bourbons claiming to be an important ruling family in Europe. By mere luck and thanks to the work of petty clerks who made up a glorious past their obscure origins, they managed to rise to the throne of France. The insolence of these small Navarran nobles to call themselves our equals!"
Of course Spain and Austria thought fit to reduce them to the rank they deserve. Also, by a bulla, the Pope (NDLR : controlled by the Spanish at this time) granted Felipe the rank of king of all Italians. Spain was asking for our rights in Lombardia and Liguria, while Austria demanded the dutch province of Flandern.
In march 1605 war was declared by Austria and Spain quickly joined our brothers. France could not resist the massive attacks in the north, where hundreds of thousands of austrian solders invaded Flandern, Picardie, Champagne, Lorraine and from the west, especially in Schyz and Franche-Comte.
The other European powers were obviously worried about the Habsburgs' growing power and what it might become after silencing France. The cursed trukish dogs declared war upon Spain in the autumn of the same year, followed shortly by the half-pagan barbarians from the north, the Swedes.
The war went on for years...
Excerpt :
"Peace had to be signed. The people demanded it. Spanish lands passed to the infidel scum! The Baleares and Malta were lost! But peace was signed on the Southern front, and all our wrath fell on the French."
Province after province, the French lands passed to the Alliance. The French king himself came to the Austrian Emperor and kneeled before him asking for peace. Flandern became Austrian and Italy was re-united for the first time
after the Roman Empire.
Jan 1612:
April 1628: And England's religious policy changed drastically throughout the game with their freedom of worship policy being in vogue here
Feb 1631:
Feb 1631:
Strange note found in a Orthodox Church of Crimea :
"Barbarians! The Emperor greets you all! The flower of all civilizations, China, has decided to end your isolation! You may therefore send your envoys to the mighty Emperor and seek his wisdom! The Emperor especially iinvites his most trusted friends - the Great Sultan of the Ottoman Empire and the Magnicifent Shah of Persia - to visit him. May they, even if they are barbarians, although good ones, rule forever!
Barbarians, listen! Any interference within Chinas sphere of interest, without the Emperors approval, will not be tolerated!
Lastly, the Emperor mourns the death of the Great barbarian king Abbas. Abbas, who helped China when some misguided individuals wrongly tried to overthrow the Emperor, will be remembered! Praise his name - and let Abbas forever be known as the Most Friendly Barbarian - or in chinese - Conan, the Barbarian!"
1631 anno domini - the Spanish Empire is the richest and largest country, with the largest army and fleet in the world.
The Spanish Empire was in another era of happiness and prosperity. Internal affairs were as organized as they get, colonists were sailing from andalusia and gibraltar to the Americas. The new rich lands greatly improved the
Empire's wealth and prestige throughout the world.
In the rest of the world no agressions were shown as lands were rebuilt and economies recovered. But after after many years of peace wars were declared and it became clear that the old european grudges only had been resting in shadow.
Nov 1631:
March 1661:
This strange transcript was found in an little box of unknown material. Some scientist claim that it is made from paladium, a component we can find on Jupiter :
"[Deep voice: And now over to our commentators for next session – mr D. Evil and mr D. Emon – yours truly, our most hated – Damien & Damien!]
[Audience cheers]
D.Evil: Welcome to Hell-tv!
D.Emon: Tonight we will follow the next episode of the battle of humans [*spits on the floor*] on planet Z14OK3.
D.Evil: As you might remember, a bunch of “humies”…
[Audience: Boooooooooooooooooooo!]
D.Evil: …fights for the title of “Newbee of the year”.
D.Emon: We now have about six or seven sessions left of the battle. And the tension is building up.
D.Evil: Looks promising.
D.Emon: Right you are, Damien.
D.Evil: What did you think of the last session?
D.Emon: Last sessions were a little bit boring.
D.Evil: I agree. Some nice wars, but the same old standard alliances.
D.Emon: Still, a lot of blood!
[Audience chants: Blood, blood, blood!!!]
D.Evil: Tell us more about the wars!
D.Emon: Well, first we had a war between Persia and Portugal vs England. Rather good one.
D.Evil: But not that many casualties.
D.Emon: Yeah, not enough. But then there was a war between Ottoman Empire and France vs. Persia, Austria and Spain.
D.Evil: Good one Damien?
D.Emon: Yes. Lots of causualties.
D.Evil: Yummie.
D.Emon: And it was three against two! Which is not so fair.
D.Evil: And for those who not follow us – that is what we like!
D.Emon & D.Evil: Muhahahahahahah….
[Audience cheers]
D.Emon: And there was a small hint of a betrayal in that war……
[Deep voice whispering: Betrayal……..]
[Audience, excited: Ohhhhhhhhh…..]
D.Emon [with voice of small schoolgirl]: But betrayal is not so nice, can you really do that?
[D.Emon, D.Evil, Audience: Muhahahahahaha….]
D.Evil: This game would really need some more betrayals, double-betrayals and backstabs.
D.Emon: Sure. That whould be so goooood…
D.Evil: Damien, you mean baaaaad - this is after all – Hell-tv!
[Audience laughts..…]
D.Emon: Right you are. So what is going to happen this session?
D.Evil: Hard to tell. We’re hoping to get some nasty wars!
D.Emon: Tell us more!
D.Evil: My guess is that Sweden and Russia will have a war.
D.Emon: Yeah, they usually have one every now and then. What else?
D.Evil: Well, if I am not wrong, Persia is still after the whole of India. That means war with England.
D.Emon: And most likely will Portugal join.
D.Evil: Perfect, Damien.
D.Emon: Absolutely.
D.Evil: What do you think of Persia’s expansion in India?
D.Emon: A little bit greedy?
D.Evil: And we like greed, greed is so baaaaaad.
[Audiens: Muhahahahaha]
D.Emon: What more?
D.Evil: The question is, have Persia and the Ottoman Empire settled their differences?
D.Emon: Let us hope not so!
D.Evil: Exactly.
D.Emon: And maybe Spain and France will start fighting!
D.Evil: We sure would like that. Who knows. Anything else?
D.Emon: Well, I have heard some rumors about extortion….
[Audience: Ohhhhhhhh….]
D.Evil: That is so baaaaaad!
D.Emon: Right, Damien, and don´t we just looovv…., I mean, hate extortion?
[Audience cheers]
D.Evil: Yes we do. But tell me, who is going to do that?
D.Emon: Well, you could never guess – it is China!
D.Evil: China? Are you kidding, Damien?
D.Emon: I can see why you’re surprised, since they haven´t been involved in any wars so far……
[Audience: Boooooooooo!!!!]
D.Emon:… which is [*spits on the floor*] so peaceful.
D.Evil: You mean disgusting.
D.Emon: Right, Damien, absolutely disgusting.
[Deep voice: This is, after all, Hell-tv. We will be back shortly, after the commercials….]"
Jan 1701:
once again, from the same strange source :
[Deep voice: They are back, even more vicious – our most hated commentators – mr D. Evil and mr D. Emon, Damien &
Damien!]
[Audience roar]
D.Evil: All demons and devils, hope you still are watching us!
D.Emon: Yep, another episode on planet Z14OK3 coming up. What happened last session, Damien?
D.Evil: A lot. Some evil things, some bad things – but no world war.
D.Emon: Yep, we now badly needs a world war. Even if there are a few skirmishers here and there, nothing is as bad
as a big world war!
D.Evil: Except napalm, some torches and a squadron of small schoolgirls running around naked……
D.Emon: …..together with an old lady with a fire distinguisher that doesn’t work!
[D.Emon, D.Evil, Audience: Muhahahahahaha….]
D.Evil: Well, nothing beats that! Oh, that brings up some bad old memories…
D.Emon: Back to business. What did you think of the last session?
D.Emon: Last sessions were…. quite funny.
D.Evil: I agree. Lots of casualties. And let us not forget, a war that almost lasted the whole session! And it is not over yet!
D.Emon: That’s a lot of blood flowing there!
[Audience chants: Blood, blood, blood!!!]
D.Evil: Will Russia and Sweden ever be friends?
D.Emon: Let us not hope so!
D.Evil: Right you are!
D.Emon: And then there was two wars between Ottoman Empire and Austria.
D.Evil: Good move by Austria, especially in the second war.
D.Emon: Yes, Austria caught the Ottoman Empire completely off guard. It was even a fight!
D.Evil: Austria – we salute you! That was evil!
D.Emon: A beauty. Other nice wars?
D.Evil: Well, some small ones, but no real wars.
D.Emon: Pathetic. Fake wars are so boring.
D.Evil: I said it before, and say it again. This game would really need some more betrayals, double-betrayals and backstabs.
D.Emon: Sure. That would be so baaaaad!
D.Evil. Right.
D.Emon: Anything other of interest last session?
D.Evil: An embargo here, a fake “duel” there. The true enjoyment was the wars.
D.Emon: But didn’t we have some fraud?
D.Evil: Yes, a little one. Not that good, but still – fraud is fraud!
D.Emon: Not as good as a war, but better then nothing!
D.Evil: The big disappointment still is China.
D.Emon: Yep. No real wars, a-b-s-o-l-u-t-e-l-y p-a-t-h-e-t-i-c.
D.Evil: Could not have said it better myself.
D.Emon: Do we have something else more worth mentioning?
D.Evil: Don’t think so.
D.Emon: Still five minutes left until next session.
[Pause…. Nothing happens for a few seconds]
D.Evil: Well, anything *spits on the floor* good happen?
[Audience mumbles…..]
D.Emon *looks stern at D.Evil*: Not that king of language here!
D.Evil: Shut up!
D.Emon: What?
D.Evil: You heard me!
D.Emon: Do you know who you are talking to?
D.Evil: Some puny thing who doesn’t have a tail!
[Audience: ohhhhhhhhh *looks exited*]
D.Emon: You will eat that – your little good-hearted priest!
[Audience chants “fight, fight, fight”]
D.Evil: Good-hearted? Now, that is……
*D.Emon and D.Evil starts fighting*
[Deep voice: This is, after all, Hell-tv. If we can´t bring you some more wars, at least we show you a fight. Back after the commercials….]"
Jan 1734:
In a crucial mistake during the king's absence (sub) the Spanish Cortes chose Bourbon kings instead of Habsburg ones. With deep regrets, the current Imperial premier apologizes to the Habsburg Imperial court, but wishes to
inform that the king will not have any decision power in the future state affairs. And so far, this policy proved quite successful.
Jan 1734:
Jan 1734:
Between 1734 and 1762, most of the maps and excerpt have been destroyed in the sack on Vienna of 1769. Memories recall that Austria managed to win victory of the 5th first Balkanite wars. Ottomans were diplomatically isolated
and Austria saw a lot of good general birth on this battlefield. However, Destiny choosed otherwise in respect of the fate of the Balkans. Combined Chineese and Ottomans forces stopped this strong tide. Slowly, Austria was
putted back to their former frontiers, with the help of general Hung Li.
What follow is some sketches of the wars, when China entered in Europe and began to mess with western power.
Nov 1762:
After Hung Li had liberated the Buddist in the Far East, he was sent to Europa. In 1762, he landed in Egypt and in january 1763 he crushed the Austrian troops in Delta (note that the Chinese troops still fights without riffles....)
Jan 1763:
After Egypt was liberated, Hung Li contiuned his long march to the Balkan lands. And in november 1764, Chinese troops crossed the border to Austrian lands.
Nov 1764:
A year after that, the first big battle with Austrian troops toke place in mountians around Ragusa. Notice here the different tactics, China uses infantry, Austria cavarly. China and the Ottoman Empire won the battle.
Nov 1765:
April 1766:
May 1766:
Soon Dalmatia was in Chinas control. Together with Ottoman troops, a trap was set in Croatia.
June (12) 1766:
In August 1766, Hung Li´s army was almost destroy in the second battle of Dalmatia. But Chinese superior morale let them win the battle. After this battle, Hung Li withdraw to reinforce with new troops.
August 1766:
In 1767, the brave Austrian had once again pushed back the Chinese and Ottoman troops (Dalmatia is once again in Austrian control). In june, a battle took place in Bosnia. The Austrian army was almost destroyed.
June 1767:
July 1767:
August 1768:
During 1768, a lot of battles took place. In 1769, Chinese and Ottoman armies had regrouped and during february a new attack on Austria was made.
Feb (3) 1769:
Feb (22) 1769:
Signs of the Russian attack on Austria could now be seen on the Balkan front as the Austrians seemed out of reinforces. In the west, Spain and England had won thier war against France. Rumours says that English troops, using a clever tactic, destroyed a hugh France army by surprice and that the English flag now flows over Calais. Spainish troops now hurried to the Balkan front. The race for Vienna was on (notice that China now controls Bosnia, Dalamatia, Odenburg and soon Croatia, and that the chinese troops have started to siege Vienna).
June 1769:
July 1769:
In november 1769, Hung Li reached Vienna and the assualt could begun.
Nov 1769:
Austrian and Spanish troops tried to stopp the assult, but they failed and was, after this painting was made, beaten.
Dec 1769:
After the fall of Vienna, Austria was ready for peace. The Emperor gained two loyal vassals in Europe.
In 1776, the arch-enemy, the sultan, found himself once again facing the might of the Spanish armies, as war has been declared to help our Austrian brothers in the HRE. Ventura Caro, one of our generals, boarded the ships in Rousilon heading for Genoa, from where he went to Veneto, linking with the new army of recruits. The 70 thousand new men army had also 120 cannons, so Caro charged to liberate the Austrian province of Dalmatia from the evil yellow-faced demons of China. But, as history taught us, haste is not a good war tactic. The supply lines traced through istria could not allow food and ammunition to be shipped in large quantities to the army. Five thousand people died of hunger and attrition in our own teritory! The public opinion was appaled, Ventura Caro was called the worst general since Francisco de Melo, who lost Bearn and Rousillon to the French
Jan 1776:
April 1776:
During the second war between the Ottoman Empire and China vs. Spain and Austria, Hung Li - now together with his young apprentice, D.Emon - once again showed Chinas enemies the skill and fighting spirit of the chinese warriors. Soon after this painting was made, the Spannish army was annihilated
Nov (11) 1776:
Nov (21) 1776:
July 1777:
June (23) 1778:
July 1778:
Hung Li, now rather old of age, gets help from D.Emon.
Nov 1779:
D.Emon, just like his teacher Hung Li, lead the Chinese and the Ottoman Empire troops in an attack on Vienna.
Feb (5) 1780:
Feb (18) 1780:
Feb (27) 1780:
A D.Emon in Vienna.
May 1780 :
The result of the war was not what the allies had hope for... Due to some mistake by a Chinese diplomat - may he rest in peace - the maps of the Balkans was once more a little bit complicated..
August 1780:
Feb 1781:
April 1781:
April 1786:
Those sketches now lead us to the final showdown of modern history.
(To be continued...)