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I mean, it was TOTALLY related to the chapter, right? besides, the pun was too perfect to not use it...
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Chapter 16 – Thou Shall Be Saved.
Amedeo had the means, the message, and the missionaries. What he lacked was time. The claims inherited from his father were soon to expire. By his estimates, he had 5-10 years before they started to fade.
To put his plans in motion, the duke target first his neighbor Switzerland, relatively large protestant with some heretic friends in the heart of the Empire. However, besides the other princes, France stood ready to defend them. Facing them directly would be madness. Therefore, Amedeo dragged France into a separate conflict, a northern campaign against the Bishop of Verden and his allies in Holland and Brittany. With his partner distracted, the duke struck the Swiss.
When the province of Avignon converted, Amedeo saw another possible source to maintain the fervor in the duchy and his diplomatic focus active by upgrading the project there. Even though it would take some time to provide results, he decided to start the process anyway.
Soon afterwards, word arrived from the east: a Malipiero had once again ascended to the Polish-Lithuanian throne. Amedeo saw this not merely as prestigious, but as a legitimate legacy fulfilled. Plus the resources provided were more than welcomed.
Danzig, Lorraine, Konstanz, Holland, Brittany... all saw the light of the new creed. For those combatants that were already Reformed a simple white peace was granted. Those who resisted were humbled to bend the knee. After all, the duke was doing the Lord’s work.
Even Mainz, another imperial elector like The Palatinate, embraced the Reformed faith. The color of the Empire's diplomatic and religious map was shifting rapidly, and Amedeo knew that every converted prince was a nail in the coffin of the old order. But with his soldiers also succumbing in battles and to attrition, the duke ordered barracks to be built in the most populous provinces, aiming to replenish the ranks as soon and fast as possible.
While the religious wars continued, the duke did not forget the diplomacy. He attempted another dynastic fishing trip in Hesse, which turned into the possibility of a future personal union and more fighting.
At the same time, across the ocean, Firenze’s first colonial nation was founded. The assigned name of “Brazil” could had confused the ordinary man, with two other nations called similarly already on the map. But by leaving the Florentine part out of the name, Amedeo showed his intent of uniting all those territories into one banner, his.
In the scientific community the advances were continuously profitable for the realm.
But sadly, one of Firenze’s favorites and greatest sons departed this world.
In a second wave of illumination for the empire, Nuremberg, Rothenburg, Ansbach, Regensburg, Munich, Tirol, and finally Switzerland all joined the Reformed chorus. Even the Bishop of Verden, defiant to the end, surrendered after the fall of his capital and accepted conversion.
The first cycle of religious wars had ended with a clear victory for the duke. Many countries were now on the right path. However, not without cost. The duchy was drained, its manpower crippled, and its armies stretched. A small price for salvation in the eyes of Amedeo.
Amedeo had the means, the message, and the missionaries. What he lacked was time. The claims inherited from his father were soon to expire. By his estimates, he had 5-10 years before they started to fade.
To put his plans in motion, the duke target first his neighbor Switzerland, relatively large protestant with some heretic friends in the heart of the Empire. However, besides the other princes, France stood ready to defend them. Facing them directly would be madness. Therefore, Amedeo dragged France into a separate conflict, a northern campaign against the Bishop of Verden and his allies in Holland and Brittany. With his partner distracted, the duke struck the Swiss.
When the province of Avignon converted, Amedeo saw another possible source to maintain the fervor in the duchy and his diplomatic focus active by upgrading the project there. Even though it would take some time to provide results, he decided to start the process anyway.
Soon afterwards, word arrived from the east: a Malipiero had once again ascended to the Polish-Lithuanian throne. Amedeo saw this not merely as prestigious, but as a legitimate legacy fulfilled. Plus the resources provided were more than welcomed.
Danzig, Lorraine, Konstanz, Holland, Brittany... all saw the light of the new creed. For those combatants that were already Reformed a simple white peace was granted. Those who resisted were humbled to bend the knee. After all, the duke was doing the Lord’s work.
Even Mainz, another imperial elector like The Palatinate, embraced the Reformed faith. The color of the Empire's diplomatic and religious map was shifting rapidly, and Amedeo knew that every converted prince was a nail in the coffin of the old order. But with his soldiers also succumbing in battles and to attrition, the duke ordered barracks to be built in the most populous provinces, aiming to replenish the ranks as soon and fast as possible.
While the religious wars continued, the duke did not forget the diplomacy. He attempted another dynastic fishing trip in Hesse, which turned into the possibility of a future personal union and more fighting.
At the same time, across the ocean, Firenze’s first colonial nation was founded. The assigned name of “Brazil” could had confused the ordinary man, with two other nations called similarly already on the map. But by leaving the Florentine part out of the name, Amedeo showed his intent of uniting all those territories into one banner, his.
In the scientific community the advances were continuously profitable for the realm.
But sadly, one of Firenze’s favorites and greatest sons departed this world.
In a second wave of illumination for the empire, Nuremberg, Rothenburg, Ansbach, Regensburg, Munich, Tirol, and finally Switzerland all joined the Reformed chorus. Even the Bishop of Verden, defiant to the end, surrendered after the fall of his capital and accepted conversion.
The first cycle of religious wars had ended with a clear victory for the duke. Many countries were now on the right path. However, not without cost. The duchy was drained, its manpower crippled, and its armies stretched. A small price for salvation in the eyes of Amedeo.
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I'm guessing Firenze is going to apply this to every colonial nation it will create?
Thou shalt not kill...unless they're a heretic.
Has Amadeo just made a major mistake? How many must die until he's satisfied?
catch & release, let the colonizers do the job, grab 5 provinces, core, bam! florentine nation. rinse and repeat
Fanatics know no limits
Chapter 17 – Better relations through war.
The duke took a deep breath to analyze the internal situation and maps after the first series of religious wars. Per his last count, 41 countries followed the faith, almost the same number of Catholics who were at 50, and largely passed the Protestants at 15. He favoured to let the ranks recover for some time and let his but mainly his vassals’ war exhaustion to decrease. Amedeo took notice that while at peace, the fervor of the realm could maintain full time the diplomatic focus, which was important for the fishing strategy with two countries on the hook at that time. After a while he would consider options.
Unfortunately for his plans, the inexperienced French king had the brilliant idea (not really) to called him to a war against the one province minor Savoy, which already was on the list to convert, along her allies. Saying “no” to the request would represent lower prestige, diplomatic reputation and losing the alliance with France, all of which was intolerable. Reluctantly, Amedeo accepted. And since an outsider had attacked a member of the HRE, the new emperor and powerful Bohemia was in the war.
The duke was able to pass the final influential idea, finally allowing to start gathering resources afterwards to resume as soon as possible the diplomatic integration of vassals, with Tripoli as the next candidate. The Government capacity increased as the final Florentine Idea was fulfilled as well, with the added bonus of increasing the goods produced in every province, completing Manfredo’s ambition.
A new policy to aid beyond the nation’s frontiers was implemented as well, increasing the duke’s reputation and relieving the Foreign Affairs office.
In an effort to improve the relationship between Firenze and her neighbors, Amedeo let pass a diplomatic insult from Bar, and sought to ease the tensions with the fellow believer nation.
Brazil and Morocco were converted, and lands of the latter developed to keep them loyal. In the meantime, the duke was using every diplomatic at his disposal to increase the relations with other princes during the war. And with the armies coming and going throughout the HRE provinces, Amedeo’s forces focused on the capitals, with the Savoyard being the first to fall. But the duke didn’t transfer the occupation to France.
Even the relations with the corrupt Pope improved thanks to trade with the 3 disconnected provinces across central Italy.
The Saxon capital fell shortly after, and the army proceeded to fully occupy the country. So did the capital of Mainz. But when the duke saw that he couldn’t convert those princes since he was a secondary participant, he thought about signing a separate treaty with Savoy, asking only for their acceptance of the Reformed faith, letting the French to pursuit war against the empire on their own. The lost trust would be recovered with favors. However, since the war hadn’t lasted more that a year, there was a very high prestige penalty. Amedeo decided to wait.
The fishing strategy was (finally) successful in Hesse, who became a Personal Union under Firenze. The Thuringians chose wisely to not contest it. The Hessians turned rapidly to the true faith after the duke asked nicely for them to do so.
Not interested in the French war, and without the prestige penalty, Amedeo signed peace with Savoy for their conversion only. Freed to attack princes again, he adopted his new PU’s claims to his advantage.
War was declared in March 1524 over Nassau, allied to the elector Trier, Liege and Osnabruck. At the same time, Tripoli started her integration into Firenze. The first serpentine claim from Alessio’s map, one in Switzerland, fade away, made Amedeo remember that those were not permanent, but at the same time relieved that he acted on time. Internally in the council, troubles were steering against a favorite of the duke. He sacrified legitimacy to keep his stateman around.
For what had become a tradition, a Malipiero was elected once again for the Polish throne, and the customary gift of resources filled the Florentine coffers. Sadly, the fishing trip in Brandeburg didn’t went as expected when they introduced an heir, and the marriage dissolved into dust. (Here the pipeline may had worked, dammit)
It was not surprising that even before the first war concluded, Amedeo declared another, this time in Thuringia and allies, including the shameful Elector Brandenburg, who was named co-belligerent, as was Styria. The conversion wars persisted.
Once their capitals fell, in succession every combatant in the Nassau war signed treaties of remorse, penance, and solemn swearing to adhere the Reformed faith. Trier was the third elector to do so. A new tier was achieved.
In another personal tragedy for Amedeo, the duchess consort died.
This loss was partially balanced when Tripoli completed annexation, and the lands were given to a trade company as the rest of northern Africa. The miraculous heir Antonino reached adulthood and discovered his fascination with ships, which was symbolically fitting to his discovery in the waters.
In a late response to states slipping through his hands, the Pope made a weak attempt to remediate problems, with practically null results. England failed in his own endeavour as well and repentantly returned to the Catholic pen.
Meanwhile, more and more nations accepted Amedeo’s plea to surrender and hear the Word. After Berlin fell, the Brandenburgian regent opened his ears and heart and accepted salvation signing the peace treaty, the 4th Elector.
The war continued until the rest of the combatants’ capitals were in ruins. Bosnia, Styria, Saxe-Lauenburg, Magdeburg, and finally Thuringia finally submitted to the Lord’s and the duke’s will.
Further claims from the serpent map crumbled into history, something that made Amedeo sighed resignedly. He had seized opportunities, succeeded in a handful and lost a few others. It hadn’t been perfect. He had made his best effort. The faith had grown, from Brazil to Anatolia, among Moroccans and Burgundians, and throughout the HRE. There were more Reformed countries than Catholic.
Some wars could still be fought, and Amedeo would have to fight them smartly. Luckily for him, Firenze was richer than ever. Many fellow creed nations admired and even loved him as a prophet. He knew he had responded to the call. And had improved the relations with countries thanks to, despite, and during, conflicts. He thought it was a paradox aimed for philosophers, not a simple fervent believer. But he humbly accepted and would kept encouraging it. For as long as needed.
The duke took a deep breath to analyze the internal situation and maps after the first series of religious wars. Per his last count, 41 countries followed the faith, almost the same number of Catholics who were at 50, and largely passed the Protestants at 15. He favoured to let the ranks recover for some time and let his but mainly his vassals’ war exhaustion to decrease. Amedeo took notice that while at peace, the fervor of the realm could maintain full time the diplomatic focus, which was important for the fishing strategy with two countries on the hook at that time. After a while he would consider options.
Unfortunately for his plans, the inexperienced French king had the brilliant idea (not really) to called him to a war against the one province minor Savoy, which already was on the list to convert, along her allies. Saying “no” to the request would represent lower prestige, diplomatic reputation and losing the alliance with France, all of which was intolerable. Reluctantly, Amedeo accepted. And since an outsider had attacked a member of the HRE, the new emperor and powerful Bohemia was in the war.
The duke was able to pass the final influential idea, finally allowing to start gathering resources afterwards to resume as soon as possible the diplomatic integration of vassals, with Tripoli as the next candidate. The Government capacity increased as the final Florentine Idea was fulfilled as well, with the added bonus of increasing the goods produced in every province, completing Manfredo’s ambition.
A new policy to aid beyond the nation’s frontiers was implemented as well, increasing the duke’s reputation and relieving the Foreign Affairs office.
In an effort to improve the relationship between Firenze and her neighbors, Amedeo let pass a diplomatic insult from Bar, and sought to ease the tensions with the fellow believer nation.
Brazil and Morocco were converted, and lands of the latter developed to keep them loyal. In the meantime, the duke was using every diplomatic at his disposal to increase the relations with other princes during the war. And with the armies coming and going throughout the HRE provinces, Amedeo’s forces focused on the capitals, with the Savoyard being the first to fall. But the duke didn’t transfer the occupation to France.
Even the relations with the corrupt Pope improved thanks to trade with the 3 disconnected provinces across central Italy.
The Saxon capital fell shortly after, and the army proceeded to fully occupy the country. So did the capital of Mainz. But when the duke saw that he couldn’t convert those princes since he was a secondary participant, he thought about signing a separate treaty with Savoy, asking only for their acceptance of the Reformed faith, letting the French to pursuit war against the empire on their own. The lost trust would be recovered with favors. However, since the war hadn’t lasted more that a year, there was a very high prestige penalty. Amedeo decided to wait.
The fishing strategy was (finally) successful in Hesse, who became a Personal Union under Firenze. The Thuringians chose wisely to not contest it. The Hessians turned rapidly to the true faith after the duke asked nicely for them to do so.
Not interested in the French war, and without the prestige penalty, Amedeo signed peace with Savoy for their conversion only. Freed to attack princes again, he adopted his new PU’s claims to his advantage.
War was declared in March 1524 over Nassau, allied to the elector Trier, Liege and Osnabruck. At the same time, Tripoli started her integration into Firenze. The first serpentine claim from Alessio’s map, one in Switzerland, fade away, made Amedeo remember that those were not permanent, but at the same time relieved that he acted on time. Internally in the council, troubles were steering against a favorite of the duke. He sacrified legitimacy to keep his stateman around.
For what had become a tradition, a Malipiero was elected once again for the Polish throne, and the customary gift of resources filled the Florentine coffers. Sadly, the fishing trip in Brandeburg didn’t went as expected when they introduced an heir, and the marriage dissolved into dust. (Here the pipeline may had worked, dammit)
It was not surprising that even before the first war concluded, Amedeo declared another, this time in Thuringia and allies, including the shameful Elector Brandenburg, who was named co-belligerent, as was Styria. The conversion wars persisted.
Once their capitals fell, in succession every combatant in the Nassau war signed treaties of remorse, penance, and solemn swearing to adhere the Reformed faith. Trier was the third elector to do so. A new tier was achieved.
In another personal tragedy for Amedeo, the duchess consort died.
This loss was partially balanced when Tripoli completed annexation, and the lands were given to a trade company as the rest of northern Africa. The miraculous heir Antonino reached adulthood and discovered his fascination with ships, which was symbolically fitting to his discovery in the waters.
In a late response to states slipping through his hands, the Pope made a weak attempt to remediate problems, with practically null results. England failed in his own endeavour as well and repentantly returned to the Catholic pen.
Meanwhile, more and more nations accepted Amedeo’s plea to surrender and hear the Word. After Berlin fell, the Brandenburgian regent opened his ears and heart and accepted salvation signing the peace treaty, the 4th Elector.
The war continued until the rest of the combatants’ capitals were in ruins. Bosnia, Styria, Saxe-Lauenburg, Magdeburg, and finally Thuringia finally submitted to the Lord’s and the duke’s will.
Further claims from the serpent map crumbled into history, something that made Amedeo sighed resignedly. He had seized opportunities, succeeded in a handful and lost a few others. It hadn’t been perfect. He had made his best effort. The faith had grown, from Brazil to Anatolia, among Moroccans and Burgundians, and throughout the HRE. There were more Reformed countries than Catholic.
Some wars could still be fought, and Amedeo would have to fight them smartly. Luckily for him, Firenze was richer than ever. Many fellow creed nations admired and even loved him as a prophet. He knew he had responded to the call. And had improved the relations with countries thanks to, despite, and during, conflicts. He thought it was a paradox aimed for philosophers, not a simple fervent believer. But he humbly accepted and would kept encouraging it. For as long as needed.
Finally, a fish has been caught! Hopefully more are to come!The fishing strategy was (finally) successful in Hesse, who became a Personal Union under Firenze. The Thuringians chose wisely to not contest it. The Hessians turned rapidly to the true faith after the duke asked nicely for them to do so.
You can proselytise with a pen, but when the pen is backed by many swords you can proselytise so much more
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Small one, but after many fishing trips, beggars can't be choosers
Rebels enforced, after popping up in devastated lands, and with the army in the new world....
Like his grandpa that got Holstein
Sharpen objects can be very convincingYou can proselytise with a pen, but when the pen is backed by many swords you can proselytise so much more
Chapter 18 – Hollowed Be Thy Claim.
Amedeo looked on his father serpentine map to review claims available to use for the third series of conversion wars. Donauworth and her allies all followed the faith, not needed. Ansbach and hers, the same. Wurzburg were reformed, as 4 of her 6 allies, Frankfurt -catholic free city- and Wurttemberg -protestant- the exceptions. Coburg was Catholic but allied to Bohemia and others. Munster was a target, but with his PU Hesse claim, he didn´t worried.
The duke’s main interest was bringing the other 2 electors -besides the emperor- to the true faith. He had a claim in Saxony but was blocked by a truce and they were allied to the Bohemians. However, it was as simple as declaring on her ally Brunswick, which happened in March 1527. And a quick fishing trip to Croatia was executed.
However, once again the fishing strategy failed when the Croatian king had an heir at his 77 years. Amedeo cancelled the marriage. And when a comet was sighted and the masses panicked, the duke ordered to use the surplus in resources to regain the stability willing to pay the high cost.
In quick succession the combatants signed peace treaties accepting the faith: Lippe, Luneburg, the Elector Saxony and Brunswick. Friesland was spared since they already were Reformed. And a Reformed Moroccan consort entered the scene.
But before continuing his crusade to save the souls of the HRE, Amedeo took a detour and attacked the English after the truce with them expired. Their ally, a Catholic Brabant, didn’t liked to fight the duke. But Amedeo wanted them in, so he sent a scornful insult and changed his attitude to hostile. Now willing to join, the Brabantians were named co-belligerent and consequently called Austria into the fray. Which was exactly what the duke desired.
The French war against the empire ended in a simple revocation of Savoyard cores on France. Meanwhile, the stress and pressure due to his divine mission had taken a toll in Amedeo’s body, making him less likely to produce another heir if something were to happen to Antonino. Trying to avoid something similar in the French line with the Malipiero heir being older than the Valois king, the duke curried favors again in their court as a backup.
After occupation of their capitals and a few battles, Frankfurt, Croatia, Austria-Hungary (with the latter disloyal) and Brabant, all turned to profess the Reformed creed.
The great project on Ma’an had not been forgotten. Amedeo only needed the missionary strength to convert the province and be able to convert the local culture into an accepted one and Syrian was the chosen one. After stating the area, passing some decisions and a theologian in the council, the process was finally commenced.
Once the rest of the alliance was simply left alone with signed white peace treaties as followers of the faith, England crawled to the negotiation table. Amedeo was interested in land in the new world, but their only colonial nation -located in someplace called Canada- had only their capital, the rest lost in wars with the natives. “Pathetic” thought the duke. Therefore, Scottish claims were demanded, all their treasury and war reparations, in the hope of a better yield in the future for Firenze.
The rest of the claims in Alessio’s map in the shape of a snake faded forever, these war justifications had become hollow. But there was peace in Amedeo’s mind. His father’s cunning plan had granted some opportunities. Now, he had more at grasp, thanks to his personal union. And he was ready to use them to convert the final elector: Cologne.
Amedeo looked on his father serpentine map to review claims available to use for the third series of conversion wars. Donauworth and her allies all followed the faith, not needed. Ansbach and hers, the same. Wurzburg were reformed, as 4 of her 6 allies, Frankfurt -catholic free city- and Wurttemberg -protestant- the exceptions. Coburg was Catholic but allied to Bohemia and others. Munster was a target, but with his PU Hesse claim, he didn´t worried.
The duke’s main interest was bringing the other 2 electors -besides the emperor- to the true faith. He had a claim in Saxony but was blocked by a truce and they were allied to the Bohemians. However, it was as simple as declaring on her ally Brunswick, which happened in March 1527. And a quick fishing trip to Croatia was executed.
However, once again the fishing strategy failed when the Croatian king had an heir at his 77 years. Amedeo cancelled the marriage. And when a comet was sighted and the masses panicked, the duke ordered to use the surplus in resources to regain the stability willing to pay the high cost.
In quick succession the combatants signed peace treaties accepting the faith: Lippe, Luneburg, the Elector Saxony and Brunswick. Friesland was spared since they already were Reformed. And a Reformed Moroccan consort entered the scene.
But before continuing his crusade to save the souls of the HRE, Amedeo took a detour and attacked the English after the truce with them expired. Their ally, a Catholic Brabant, didn’t liked to fight the duke. But Amedeo wanted them in, so he sent a scornful insult and changed his attitude to hostile. Now willing to join, the Brabantians were named co-belligerent and consequently called Austria into the fray. Which was exactly what the duke desired.
The French war against the empire ended in a simple revocation of Savoyard cores on France. Meanwhile, the stress and pressure due to his divine mission had taken a toll in Amedeo’s body, making him less likely to produce another heir if something were to happen to Antonino. Trying to avoid something similar in the French line with the Malipiero heir being older than the Valois king, the duke curried favors again in their court as a backup.
After occupation of their capitals and a few battles, Frankfurt, Croatia, Austria-Hungary (with the latter disloyal) and Brabant, all turned to profess the Reformed creed.
The great project on Ma’an had not been forgotten. Amedeo only needed the missionary strength to convert the province and be able to convert the local culture into an accepted one and Syrian was the chosen one. After stating the area, passing some decisions and a theologian in the council, the process was finally commenced.
Once the rest of the alliance was simply left alone with signed white peace treaties as followers of the faith, England crawled to the negotiation table. Amedeo was interested in land in the new world, but their only colonial nation -located in someplace called Canada- had only their capital, the rest lost in wars with the natives. “Pathetic” thought the duke. Therefore, Scottish claims were demanded, all their treasury and war reparations, in the hope of a better yield in the future for Firenze.
The rest of the claims in Alessio’s map in the shape of a snake faded forever, these war justifications had become hollow. But there was peace in Amedeo’s mind. His father’s cunning plan had granted some opportunities. Now, he had more at grasp, thanks to his personal union. And he was ready to use them to convert the final elector: Cologne.
With this king and the duke of Landshut at 76 one has to wonder if a blue pill was discovered early in this timeline
Thank the Lord's might! Let's toast tonight
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Chapter 19 – Holier than you.
The next war of conversion started in January 1530 on Cologne and allies. Among them, only Mulhouse remained loyal in Catholic faith, while Mainz, Liege, and Luxembourg had already accepted the Reformed creed.
To fund his ambitions, Amedeo sold noble titles, a controversial move that brought immediate wealth but risked alienating the aristocracy. Yet, for Amedeo, the mission outweighed the price. This influx of money funded the construction of workshops and manufactories in Firenze.
Freethinkers, inspired by their ideas, risked deterioration in the unity of the Reformed faith. Suppressing them outright would clash with Firenze's humanist ideals. The duke let them be but recognized the roots of heresy were difficult to eradicate in house.
Meanwhile, the flourishing economy not only financed ambitious artistic endeavors but also cultivated new intellectuals. Almeria in south Iberia became a thriving center during this period.
The combatants fell one by one when their capitals were occupied. Liege signed a peace treaty surrendering money and war reparations. Mainz and Luxemburg followed the same path. Another incident happened inside the HRE, when the peasants made dangerous demands.
Finally, the heretic country of Mulhouse saw the err in her ways and accepted conversion. Followed in January 1532 by Cologne, who became the 6th Elector recognizing the right faith. The emperor Bohemia was the only one clinching to old beliefs. The Reformed faith had triumphed over the Catholics.
After a couple months of tidying issues internally, like lowering autonomy in provinces and positioning the armies, a war for the Turkish cores on Mamlukian hands commenced.
The diplomatic influence from the duke knew no boundaries, reaching as far as the Persian Gulf where the nation of Fars bent the knee to Amedeo. They accepted their overlord’s creed and dynasty in the next few months and as reward, they lands were developed.
The emperor, cornered with the demands of change, made the choice of granting concessions to the masses, which only served in weakening the aristocracy. It was another failure from the Bohemians.
With their provinces under heavy occupation, the Egyptians surrendered and agreed to return every Ottoman province and relinquished all their money. Also, they gave away another strip of land and forts, from Ma’an to Yanbu next to Mecca, from where the old nation of Medina was resurrected as a vassal. But the jewel of the crown was the holy city of Jerusalem, that was back in Christian -and more importantly, the duke’s- hands. Reformed was victorious over the Muslims.
With 64 out of the remaining 73 members of the HRE professing a different religion that the Emperor’s, Amedeo know that the wars of religion were almost over internally. But he had reasons to believe that they could be used to propagate the one true faith beyond the borders. Starting with the only nation left with a Protestant center of reformation: Denmark.
The next war of conversion started in January 1530 on Cologne and allies. Among them, only Mulhouse remained loyal in Catholic faith, while Mainz, Liege, and Luxembourg had already accepted the Reformed creed.
To fund his ambitions, Amedeo sold noble titles, a controversial move that brought immediate wealth but risked alienating the aristocracy. Yet, for Amedeo, the mission outweighed the price. This influx of money funded the construction of workshops and manufactories in Firenze.
Freethinkers, inspired by their ideas, risked deterioration in the unity of the Reformed faith. Suppressing them outright would clash with Firenze's humanist ideals. The duke let them be but recognized the roots of heresy were difficult to eradicate in house.
Meanwhile, the flourishing economy not only financed ambitious artistic endeavors but also cultivated new intellectuals. Almeria in south Iberia became a thriving center during this period.
The combatants fell one by one when their capitals were occupied. Liege signed a peace treaty surrendering money and war reparations. Mainz and Luxemburg followed the same path. Another incident happened inside the HRE, when the peasants made dangerous demands.
Finally, the heretic country of Mulhouse saw the err in her ways and accepted conversion. Followed in January 1532 by Cologne, who became the 6th Elector recognizing the right faith. The emperor Bohemia was the only one clinching to old beliefs. The Reformed faith had triumphed over the Catholics.
After a couple months of tidying issues internally, like lowering autonomy in provinces and positioning the armies, a war for the Turkish cores on Mamlukian hands commenced.
The diplomatic influence from the duke knew no boundaries, reaching as far as the Persian Gulf where the nation of Fars bent the knee to Amedeo. They accepted their overlord’s creed and dynasty in the next few months and as reward, they lands were developed.
The emperor, cornered with the demands of change, made the choice of granting concessions to the masses, which only served in weakening the aristocracy. It was another failure from the Bohemians.
With their provinces under heavy occupation, the Egyptians surrendered and agreed to return every Ottoman province and relinquished all their money. Also, they gave away another strip of land and forts, from Ma’an to Yanbu next to Mecca, from where the old nation of Medina was resurrected as a vassal. But the jewel of the crown was the holy city of Jerusalem, that was back in Christian -and more importantly, the duke’s- hands. Reformed was victorious over the Muslims.
With 64 out of the remaining 73 members of the HRE professing a different religion that the Emperor’s, Amedeo know that the wars of religion were almost over internally. But he had reasons to believe that they could be used to propagate the one true faith beyond the borders. Starting with the only nation left with a Protestant center of reformation: Denmark.
Political
Diplomatic
Religious
Diplomatic
Religious
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Reformed shall soon be the sole faith of the Empire! (or at least of the Emperor)
Amedeo pretending to be nice.
Amedeo pretending to be mean.
Very wiley this Amadeo is.
I like how you used the insult to bring in an enemy. Good tip to remember.
I did not have a Reformed Moroccan queen consort on my bingo card. I wonder what court life in Firenze looked like with Queen Khnata there.