Home Trending Latest threads New posts Developer diaries

History of the White Eagle - Poland Megacampaign AAR

Jump to latest Follow Reply
  • We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.
I just read through this, (it's what the weekends are for) and I really enjoyed it. I particularly like the struggle with the horde, few CK AAR games live long enough to run into that behemoth, and you've handled it quite well. Looking forward to the future here.
 
JimboIX said:
I just read through this, (it's what the weekends are for) and I really enjoyed it. I particularly like the struggle with the horde, few CK AAR games live long enough to run into that behemoth, and you've handled it quite well. Looking forward to the future here.
Click to expand...
Heh, pretty much the same story as ^^^^^^^

I particularly love the maps you've been doing, and do not worry about your English. It is pretty much perfect, mate :)

Love your AAR
 
You just have to survive them. That's all you have to do.

And it's going to make the rest of this AAR very tense and full of suspence, surely a good thing.
 
bowl of soup - Well people of this forum are working on EU3-Vicki converter, and if there won`t be any, then I will manually convert from eu3 to eu2 (using scenario editor) and then to Victoria. I`m eu2 veteran/fanatic/orthodox but dynamic system of eu3 really fits, into 'messed after CK' world.

JimboIX -Thanks, I had much luck with that last war, this is very hard struggle with them :(

Saint-Germain - Cheers mate. Well, I never had english lessons in school, but I read many books in english, and lived in London(second biggest Polish city :D) for a while. I`m glad you like AAR :)

RGB, Emperor Ike - They can defeat me, really, and I won`t cheat to survive.

Ok, here is small new update, about Polsih military.

And one thing, some maths :

(My motivation to write this AAR) = (comments)x(comments)

so thank you for all those posts :D
 


HISTORY OF THE WHITE EAGLE

szczerbiecuh1.jpg


Polish Warfare in XII-XIII centuries
​




On the turn of XI and XII age, feudal system was finaly established in Poland. This marked rise of new social class - knights. Knights in exchanges for land, had duty to be present on call of his feudal master in time of war.

Basic knights unit was lance ( poczet ), which consisted of knight and squire, along with horsemen and infantry henchmen. Several dozens of lances created banner ( chorągiew ). Banner assembled knighthood from particular land, or representatives of particular knightly family .

084wojpieszyidruynnikkozc2.jpg
XII century Polish knight, with squire​

In XIII century, developed first heavy cavalry tactics. Battle, which began with frontal charge, quickly became transformed into impetous duels, where individual skills, quality of armament, and courage decided about victory. Commander only placed army before battle, he occupied place in first rank and gave signal to attack. Individualism and lack of discipline, was the main attribute of knightly army. Every knight in combat, tended to get fame, loots and captives, so they reluctantly listened to orders.

Polskirycerz-XIIIwiek.jpg
XIII century Masovian knight​

Basic equipment of knight consisted of chainmail, triangular shield also, lance, and sword, less often axe. Peasants and townsfolk fought rarely, and their only role, along with light cavalry was support of knights.

At the beginning of XIII century, crossbow appeared in Poland which slowly replaced bow. The usage of crossbow didn`t require high skills, and it`s ability of penetrating armour was very usable.

PolacypodAntiochi.jpg
Polish men at arms, and crossbowmen at Crusade of Antioch 1293​

From time of Mongol invasion in second half of XIII century, Polish kings began to hire small units of light cavalry and horse crossbowmen, to deal with lighting fast tactics of pagans. Unfortunately despite this effort, undisciplined and slow knightly army was inferior towards steppe nomads disciplined war machinery. Poles achieved splendid victories over Germans, Russians, even Arabs, however Mongols regarded knightly fixation with "honour" and glory in battle, aa absurdity. They were concerned with one thing, and one thing only: winning and conquest.

Chernigovfortress.jpg
Chernigov fortress at late XIII century​

From first kings, Poland became famous in whole Europe, of powerful castles and fortifications, as well as siege techniques. The fortresses like Chernigov and walled cities like Krakow, could survive many months of siege.

Szturm.jpg
Assault led by king Mieszko III on Magdeburg 1192​


 
Last edited:
Man, the Mongols can be a big hurt if they decide not to be immediately swallowed up the second they arrive (as they tend to do sometimes).

Of course, I imagine it wasn't too fun for Poland when they actually were invaded by the Mongols in real life...
 
thrashing mad said:
(My motivation to write this AAR) = (comments)x(comments)
Click to expand...

Remember that there are some readers that don´t post, like me (but after that, i had to post, I don´t want you to lose your motivation)

Great AAR, the last time i enjoyed so much an AAR was like 3 years ago (Civ III). You really know how to make a good story, you should start working as a storyteller, i heard they make a lot of money.

And just resist until eu2/eu3, there the mongols should be more easier to deal whit.

PD: Why does motivation is meassured in comments^2??
 
You gotta try real hard. I will be very disappointed if you don't make it.

Mongols were just so amazing in real life; you're right, they really did fight to win unlike most other nations.
 
I like the bit about the Polish army, too noble to be destroyed by steppe warriors I hope. Let's hope they slow down a bit.
 
For that Eu3 would indeed be better suited for your needs. anyway great update on the military standings. Gives some insight on how things are standing and why you would lose/win a battle.
 
Judas Maccabeus Yeah. It`s my second game of CK, and first so long to encounter mongols. And they are scary, and they don`t want to weaken, or divide their realm.

NeoT thank you, I would like to be storyteller but you know, life is harsh reality, and there are few that mix work with passion :( Oh and this comments^2 means just that I`m happy about them, after all I don`t write this AAR for myself but for readers. And comments tells me, whether it`s good or not :)

RGB just 150 years to survive :D

JimboIX Thanks. They just finshed off leftovers of russian counties, and all Finland and Russia is mongol. Now they can move southeast, south to caucassus or west into Poland

bowl of soup Cheers. Yes, medieval european armies of that time were much inferior to mongols.

Belgian Fuhrer We could soon find out :cool:

Here is new small update
 


HISTORY OF THE WHITE EAGLE

szczerbiecuh1.jpg


Zygmunt I the Pious(Pobożny)
ruled 1308 - 1349
born 1290 - 1349

Zygmuntportret.gif




Part I
​




Zygmunt took crown at age of 18 years. He was perfect knight and diplomat. God bestowed him with the virtues of initiative and energy, as well as judiciousness and wisdom. He knew, that Mongols, despite lesson gaved them by his father, were still the largest threat for a kingdom. Zygmunt was also unusually devout man. One of his first decisions was introduction of church supremacy law. Usurers and bankers became banished from country, meanwhile king payed more gold to church donations, than he received to his treasury. Earnings fell drastically, however, king could count on support of whole clergy. Zygmunt`s plan, was creation of huge Christian coalition, which would support Poland in struggle with Mongols.

jelena.gif

In year 1310, king got married with Jelena from Hungarian court. She was unusually convincing and charismatic woman. Zygmunt charged her chancellor's office. He had with her only one son - Konrad.

A.D. 1314 king undertook two expeditions, against neighboring Muslim sheikdoms of Memel and Korsun. Unfaithful didn`t stand a chance, and soon their lands enlarged royal domain.

Next six years passed in peace, however, important event had disturbed king's quiet. His wife became accused of heresy, by Holy Inquisition. Supposedly, forbidden book regarding hermetism was found in her apartments, which was miraculously saved from times of Henryk I. Zygmunt, entirely devoted to faith and church, didn`t use his power to help the queen. Long process ended with acknowledgment of Jelena as heretic. Queen cried and begged her husband for help, however, Zygmunt despite that he loved his wife, now only saw in her filthy heretic. Tortured queen was forced to pledge her crime, and then was burnt on stake.

onaspalona.gif

Year later, interesting news reached from distant Persia - Muslim coalition managed to defeat Il-Khanate. Zygmunt took new hope - if unfaithful managed to defeat Mongols, then Christians under his command will certainty win with Golden Horde.

In year 1323, king's diplomatic efforts brought return of duchy of Wielkopolska to the kingdom. Thus, last rebellious vassal that remained, was duchy of Sandomierskie. Unfortunately, duke refused to became vassal of Zygmunt, despite obvious arguments about Mongol threat. In the end, king decided to claim these lands by force. Otherwise, he would leave weak duchy for an easy prey for Golden Horde.

szturm.gif

Sandomierskie knighthood presented strong resistance, however they didn`t it stand a chance in war with vast numbers of the enemy. Thanks to Zygmunt`s leadership skills, war lasted just three months. The most impressive victory was assault on powerful walls of Sandomierz.

Thus once more, all Polish lands were under rule of Polish king. Mongol answer to aggressive policy of Zygmunt, was displacement of gigantic forces on full length of border with Poland.

mongolsonborders.gif

King was very uneasy about this. He didn`t know whether it`s preparations for new invasion, or only the demonstration of power. Lonely, Poland wouldn`t have chances in war with Horde - King had to quickly find new allies.

najazdmongolski.gif

​

In year 1324, Mongols began to conduct raids on territory of Poland, however, it wasn`t war yet. Zygmunt didn`t react, not yet. Maybe Khan tried to find out how far he can move against Zygmunt, testing his reaction.

In the latter part of this year , very good news reached king. Pope died, and Gregory VI, supported by Zygmunt, was chosen his successor. Polish king, was the closest friend and ally of the new Pope. He immediately sended emissaries to Rome, with request to announce Holy Crusade of all Christians against pagan Mongols...

papalkontroler.gif



 
Last edited:
A Holy League might be just what you need.

Too bad about the wife. I hate when that kind of stuff happens.
 
Wow, those seem to be some pretty well-fortified Mongols!

Good luck against them, although I suspect with enough countries rallied against them they won't stand too long...
 
He's done a good job consolidating, now we will see if he's gathered enough strength to survive the inevitable onslaught.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back