IGC 109c
hard/aggressive, random & historical events, lots of scotch.
Since most AARs appear to involve rapid expansion and world conquest (of course there's nothing wrong with a little world conquest) I thought I would try something a bit different. Instead of being proactive I decided to play reactive. Taking advantage of other nations wars has its advantages and keeps the old BB rating hovering around zero. I wanted to see how well I could do as a minor playing among the big guys without (hopefully) getting stomped. Since this was my first real attempt at a full ICG I figured there would be a real-life learning curve, not to mention some hard lessons along the way.
Addendum: Somewhere along the way an element of role-play was introduced into the storyline. If you like what you read, feel free to join in.
However, if you are a little daunted by its size and length, here is my Guide to the Perplexed:
A good point to jump in is Barkdreg's Wedding.
DISCLAIMER:
If you are the queasy type, you might want to skip Barkdreg's wedding. Just
a thought.
Rebirth: 1492 - 1503
Jan 1492
Treasury: 72d. Giovanni Battista Cibo, Pope Innocent VIII, was corrupt. He sold secular favours and pardoned murderers. He even acknowledged a son, who was no less a thief than his father. How did I know? I was tasked with recording the events of our Pope's 'illustrious' career. I was a scholar, well versed in languages, both oral and written, which allowed me to view the approved and forbidden texts, and allowed me to go places and question people that would have normally gained suspicion. But even with this freedom I was in fear, for like many merchants I knew, I kept two histories. There was the history which all had access to, and there was the secret history, the one you read now, which viewed the world as my humble eyes saw it. This was how the story began:
The Papal States had a standing army of 10000 (9000/1000/0) under Field Chief Judge d'Este, a fleet of 10 warships under Commodore Tiepolo and an alliance with France, Savoy and Brittany. Papal territories consisted of Rome, Romagna and Emilia. The Pope?s diplomatic efforts gave the Papacy allies like Spain and Austria, though closer to home were unsavory competitors like Venice.
On February 14 Russia (Crimea, Ryazan and Pskov) declared war on Kazan, while February 26-27 saw Spain take Grenada from the Infidel and annex that territory once and for all. After centuries of occupation the heathen was no longer on Christian soil.
On March 22 France (Savoy, Brittany) declared war on England. Milan came to England's aid, but Spain declined to attend. France asked the Pope to honour her treaty and after short consultation Pope Innocent VIII agreed. Milan was on the northern border and the Pope saw profit in that. A loan of 200d was secured and 7000 infantry in Emilia and 4000 cavalry in Romagna were commissioned. The field army was dispatched to Emilia.
April found a further 2000 infantry assembled in Rome when word broke the Milanese army was on the move. The Army of the Holy Cross reached Emilia and continued its march to Milan.
In order to help secure the northwest border Pope Innocent VIII arranged a RM with Genoa. Rumor reached here that Savoy had defeated the Milanese army in combat around May 4. Field Chief Judge d'Este, though outwardly enraged at being unable to partake in the battle, was inwardly relieved that his forces had not been tested. The Pope was not a man to displease. That relief was short lived however. On May 8 scouts informed d?Este the Milanese army under Sforza (though with the turmoil that family had suffered over the past couple of decades I was not sure 'which' Sforza was leading) had crossed into Emilia, perhaps thinking the Papacy would be easier pickings than the Savoyards. d'Estes caught up with them and defeated the invaders 3 days later, killing approximately 2000 while suffering 600 casualties. He continued with the advance into Milan on order of the Pope, though remnants of the Milanese army would remain at large. On a totally different matter the Pope arranged a RM with Portugal on May 26.
June 4 found the army entrenched in Milan but undermanned, forcing d'Estes to wait for reinforcements. On a side note the Pope proclaimed that a merchant had established business in Venice. The middle of June saw a newly created army in Emilia hunt down Sfroza's ragtag collection and inflict another defeat on them, killing 1300 while suffering 350 casualties. Reinforcements from France under General Di Filace arrived from the west and the siege of Milan began. Newly appointed Col. Ticino pursued and engaged General Sforza's army in Romagna inflicting 540 casualties without losing a man, or so he claimed. He continued to pursue the enemy in Italy while the siege of Milan continued.
On July 21 Col.Ticino destroyed the Milanese army in Romagna, inflicting 3000 casualties while sustaining 3360 casualties of his own. The Pope, while pleased, found the looting and burning of Emilia and Romagna most disturbing. It probably distressed him more that it cut into profits. None of it was to matter, for on July 28 'glorious' Pope Innocent VIII died. While his legacy was one of corruption and anarchy, he would pale in comparison to his successor, Rodrigo de Borgia, who took the title Pope Alexander VI.
August saw Russia (Crimea, Ryazan and Pskov) accept Venice into their alliance, while Russia and Kazan made peace, with Kazan paying 98d and ceding Lipetsk to Russia as payment.
October 12 was a glorious day for the newly consecrated Pope. Milan fell to the combined forces of France and the Army of the Holy Cross. Shrewdly Pope Alexander VI arranged a RM with France, passing off some member of his extended family, I presume. He saw great worth in that alliance, more so that Spain was France's mortal enemy, and Naples to the south was a vassal of Spain.
Jan 1493
Treasury: 52d. The first quarter of the year was quiet, with only two events of any note. Given the absurdities of politics of the day, Naples, a Spanish vassal, entered an alliance with her protectorate. Secondly, advances in the construction of field artillery were implemented. (LT 3)
On March 4 the Pope signed a peace treaty with Milan, as the siege was diverting resources which Pope Alexander VI wished to use elsewhere. The terms were very good, though, for the Milanese paid Pope Alexander VI 250d to cover expenses. The money was used to commission (1000/1000/0) troops in Emilia and a further (1000/0/10) in Romagna.
A Brother informed me that Turkey had declared war on the Mameluks March 20th. We crossed ourselves and prayed they would wipe each other and their heathen cities from the face of the earth. How un-Christian, but they were just barbarians, after all. I quickly amended my prayer asking to leave their libraries intact.
The balance of the year saw the Pope arrange RM's with Spain and Austria meaning two more hapless Borgia's sent abroad. On December 11 France annexed Milan. Outwardly the Pope congratulated their close ally, but secretly he ranted and kicked things. He had wanted that prize for himself.
Jan 1494
Treasury: 137d. As the Pope solidified his hold on the Papacy both internally and externally I must bring attention to the rumours of death to anyone who opposed this man, his family and friends. As God is my witness they were true. There was a silent reign of terror as opponents and critics, no matter how insignificant (including us scholars) were found dead, usually by poison, but often by out and out murder. This was not a fun time.
January saw Persia enter an alliance with Poland-Lithuania and Moldavia, while February had Spain (Naples, Lorraine) invite Helvetia, The Palatinat and Scotland to their group. Finally England entered an alliance with The Teutonic Order and Prussia. Peace overtures to England were rebuffed since The Pope was still at war with the island nation. After taking out his anger on an unfortunate monk, The Pope decided that a policy of doing nothing would bring an end to the conflict, reasoning that England was so far away even the English wouldn't be daft enough to prosecute such a war over extended distances.
On April 27 the Mameluks and Turkey made peace, with Turkey receiving Judea, Lebanon and 44d. In May the advanced rudder (NT-1) was adapted to the Papal fleet. On the diplomatic front Denmark joined the Russian (Crimea, Ryazan, Pskov, Venice) Coaltion; Portugal and Brandenburg joined the Hanseatic (Pommerania, Holstein) Alliance and Hannover allied with Saxony. Relations with Venice, having improved over time, allowed the Pope to arrange a RM between the two states.
On May 23 a combined force from France, Brittany and Savoy captured Calais from the English.
In August Cologne joined the Spanish (Naples, Lorraine, Helvetia, The Palatinat, Scotland) Alliance, while
Poland-Lithuania (Moldavia, Persia) declared war on The Teutonic Order (Prussia, England). England now fought two separate wars, including the one against Rome.
The end of the year saw the Pope arrange a RM with Hungary. Some wondered when he would run out of family to give away.
Jan 1495
Treasury: 155d.
In March spies informed the Pope that at least 8 English ships had been spotted along the Barbery Coast. In disbelief the Pope ordered the army to mobilise, muttering something about crazy Englishmen. By July the English fleet had been sighted in the Adriatic Sea. The Pope decided not to meet them with the navy, stating it was a resource he had no desire to waste. He rightly believed his army could handle a small expeditionary force and on August 9 word reached the English had landed in Emilia. Field Chief Judge d'Este immediately marched to intercept this reckless band of hooligans.
After initial skirmishing and maneuvers, d'Estes' force (12625/3689/10) totally surprised the English army (7672/1935/0) on the dawn of September 18 and inflicted massive casualties, killing 4580 souls without a single loss, though, like Col. Ticino's report from June of '92, I found that part extremely hard to believe. Nevertheless Field Chief Judge d'Este would spend the better part of 4 weeks hounding the rogue English army, bringing them to several battles in Romanga and inflicting some 3116 casualties while suffering 435 in return. The English army, desperately on the run, would be intercepted near Rome by a newly raised force of (1000/0/0) under Col.Toscinini. Sadly the unseasoned Colonel would see his force annihilated by the desperate English. Pope Alexander VI, in a rage, would order d'Estes to finish this once in for all, while the hapless Col.Toscinini would never be heard from again.
Jan 1496
Treasury: 327d. The merchants and traders, ever eager to curry favour, gifted the Pope with 200d for his efforts in opening up the Venetian trade market. (Special Event: 200d) Alexander VI used the windfall and ordered troops to be raised in Emilia (1000/0/0) and Rome (1000/0/0). In a move to make tax collection more efficient he promoted a Bailiff in Romagna. The people, as expected, were not amused.
On January 6 Poland-Lithuania made peace with The Teutonic Order, paying 210d and ceding Lithuania to the venerable Knightly order. In February d'Estes finally cornered and destroyed the remainder of the English invasion force in Emilia. The rest of the year passed without incident.
Jan 1497
Treasury: 275d. The year began darkly. Juan de Borgia, Duke of Gandia, and overall commander of the Papal armies for the past year was most foully murdered. His older brother Cesare Borgia arrived at court as new commander of the Papal Army. It should be mentioned these two were sons of Rodrigo de Borgia, the Pope. Cesare had been appointed a Cardinal in 1493 and became a close advisor to his father, and it was said he became extremely jealous of his younger brother. Suffice to say the more malicious rumors linked Cesare to the death of Juan. It was certainly not spoken of openly if you valued your tongue. I thought my tongue looked fine right where it was.
January 20 saw England and France end their war, with Calais passing to French rule. Domestically the Pope's tax reforms continued with the promotion of another Bailiff in Emilia along with a commission to build a further 1000 infantry in that province. In February the monies procured for the war effort were paid back with interest (loan repaid).
On August 2 Venice declared war on Ragusa. All Venetian allies except Ryazan joined in (Crimea, Pskov, Russia, Denmark). The bullies. I felt sorry for tiny Ragusa. On the same day the Pope announced the Mameluks had joined our alliance (France, Savoy, Brittany, Papal States). Strange bedfellows indeed. In September Ryazan was invited back into the Russian Coalition.
My admiration went to Ragusa and my finger to Venice. Over the course of November and December they managed to defeat 2 Venetian armies which had invaded their borders, chasing the remnants away with an unholy glee.
Jan 1498
Treasury: 44d.
On February 8 Poland-Lithuania (Moldavia, Persia) declared war on Turkey (Hafsid Empire). At home 1000 infantry was commissioned in Emilia and in March another 3000 infantry was authorised in Romagna.
The year came to a close with Algiers entering the Turkish Union (Hafsid Empire). Of greater importance to the Papal navy was the announcement that shipwrights had been retained with the skill to construct Caravels (NT-2).
Jan 1499
Treasury: 193d. 10 artillery pieces were commissioned in Emilia, while England finally came to their senses declaring a White Peace with the Pope.
In January Austria (Bohemia, Hungary, Wurtemburg) accepted Bavaria into their alliance and in August Moldavia and Turkey made peace, with Moldavia paying 250d in war reparations. In November Poland-Lithuania and Turkey made peace with Poland-Lithuania receiving Dobrudga as compensation.
Jan 1500
Treasury: 151d. Stories abound about Cesare's debaucheries. He surrounded himself with gold, women and fine clothes, and had successfully isolated his father the Pope from any close friend or advisor by means of murder and poison. It struck your humble servant that Cesare meant to claim power for himself, even at the expense of his father. Wine, women, fine clothes. The lucky bas...
In January the Golden Horde (Astrakhan) declared war on Kazan. Countries to the east that merited little attention from this writer. In February the Pope arranged RMs with Bavaria and Savoy, though Wurtemberg and Baden declined. Obviously Wurtemberg and Baden were offered the dregs off the family tree. I've seen some of them, I'd decline too. Regardless, the northern borders appeared to be quite secure with the exception of Venice. In March Navarra joined the French Alliance (Savoy, Brittany, Papal States, Mameluks).
Jan 1501
Treasury: 180d. In February an explorer named Carrere volunteered to carry out explorations in the name of the Pope. The Pope, though bemused, did not wish to expend resources on such ventures at that time. On February 21, in what had been an extremely short war, Kazan paid 59d to the Golden Horde for peace.
In August the Teutonic Order (Prussia, England) declared war on Poland-Lithuania (Moldavia, Persia). Cesare apparently went on a tirade about being surrounded by war with no opportunity for glory. I am surprised his father didn't box him about the ears for a few hours.
On December 10 Ragusa and Denmark made peace, with Ragusa paying 250d in war indemnities. I must have missed the part where Denmark managed to get a force all the way around Europe to threaten tiny Ragusa. Still, for the past four years Ragusa had managed to remain independent, much to her credit. The Papal moneylenders were not giving them very good long-term odds, though.
Jan 1502
Treasury: 208d. Though an uneventful year as far as news was concerned, I must mention two particular people I had the fortune to meet. Over the past few months Cesare Borgia had managed to recruit the best officers and soldiers from Italy into his army, which no doubt explained way he was so desperate to try it out in battle. The man appointed as Chief Engineer went by the name of Leonardo Da Vinci, known to me by reputation as an artist and thinker. Indeed, I had the privilege to view some of his sketches and I confess they were beyond me. In fact, some of his ideas were downright outrageous. Imagaine a winged machine!Every idiot knew that man would never fly... The other person was a Florentine ambassador attached to Cesare's staff called Niccolò Machiavelli. An interesting man and a scholar much like myself?. Like myself. Right! Who was I kidding. This man was famous, surrounded by fawning admirers, while I sat in a dark candle lit cubbyhole writing this crap? I bet he even had his own publisher. But I digress.
On January 18 Denmark annexed Holstein and on December 3 Poland-Lithuania accepted peace with the Teutonic Order, giving up Polotsk and paying 190d in war reparations.
Jan 1503
Treasury: 237d. 1000 infantry were commissioned in Romagna while new advances in artillery were implemented (LT-4). In June final loan repayments were made to the moneylenders (200d).
It was August 18 and the church bells rang a mournful dirge, though for many it would be a time of great joy, even drink. Yes, lots of drink. Pope Alexander VI had died. His cause of death was controversial, but I had it on good authority that he accidentally poisoned himself. Forgive me for gloating, but God's will was done. By a strange twist of fate, his son took ill at the same time. Coincidence? I think not...
The man to succeed Alexander VI was Francesco Todeschini Piccolomini, who took the name of Pope Pius III. He was no friend of the Borgias and I could see that particular power base swing swiftly like a pendulum. As a side note, Giuliano della Rovere, a man who had been living in exile for ten years because of the Borgias, quietly returned to court, but more on him shortly.
In September France annexed Brittany.
In October the church bells, which had just stopped chiming for Alexander VI, rang anew as the recently ordained Pope Pius III passed away, apparently of natural causes, as the man was some 63 years of age. It was surely a record in Papal longevity. His successor was the aforementioned Giuliano della Rovere, who came to be known as Pope Julius II - the Warrior Pope.
hard/aggressive, random & historical events, lots of scotch.
Since most AARs appear to involve rapid expansion and world conquest (of course there's nothing wrong with a little world conquest) I thought I would try something a bit different. Instead of being proactive I decided to play reactive. Taking advantage of other nations wars has its advantages and keeps the old BB rating hovering around zero. I wanted to see how well I could do as a minor playing among the big guys without (hopefully) getting stomped. Since this was my first real attempt at a full ICG I figured there would be a real-life learning curve, not to mention some hard lessons along the way.
Addendum: Somewhere along the way an element of role-play was introduced into the storyline. If you like what you read, feel free to join in.
However, if you are a little daunted by its size and length, here is my Guide to the Perplexed:
A good point to jump in is Barkdreg's Wedding.
DISCLAIMER:
If you are the queasy type, you might want to skip Barkdreg's wedding. Just
a thought.
Rebirth: 1492 - 1503
Jan 1492
Treasury: 72d. Giovanni Battista Cibo, Pope Innocent VIII, was corrupt. He sold secular favours and pardoned murderers. He even acknowledged a son, who was no less a thief than his father. How did I know? I was tasked with recording the events of our Pope's 'illustrious' career. I was a scholar, well versed in languages, both oral and written, which allowed me to view the approved and forbidden texts, and allowed me to go places and question people that would have normally gained suspicion. But even with this freedom I was in fear, for like many merchants I knew, I kept two histories. There was the history which all had access to, and there was the secret history, the one you read now, which viewed the world as my humble eyes saw it. This was how the story began:
The Papal States had a standing army of 10000 (9000/1000/0) under Field Chief Judge d'Este, a fleet of 10 warships under Commodore Tiepolo and an alliance with France, Savoy and Brittany. Papal territories consisted of Rome, Romagna and Emilia. The Pope?s diplomatic efforts gave the Papacy allies like Spain and Austria, though closer to home were unsavory competitors like Venice.
On February 14 Russia (Crimea, Ryazan and Pskov) declared war on Kazan, while February 26-27 saw Spain take Grenada from the Infidel and annex that territory once and for all. After centuries of occupation the heathen was no longer on Christian soil.
On March 22 France (Savoy, Brittany) declared war on England. Milan came to England's aid, but Spain declined to attend. France asked the Pope to honour her treaty and after short consultation Pope Innocent VIII agreed. Milan was on the northern border and the Pope saw profit in that. A loan of 200d was secured and 7000 infantry in Emilia and 4000 cavalry in Romagna were commissioned. The field army was dispatched to Emilia.
April found a further 2000 infantry assembled in Rome when word broke the Milanese army was on the move. The Army of the Holy Cross reached Emilia and continued its march to Milan.
In order to help secure the northwest border Pope Innocent VIII arranged a RM with Genoa. Rumor reached here that Savoy had defeated the Milanese army in combat around May 4. Field Chief Judge d'Este, though outwardly enraged at being unable to partake in the battle, was inwardly relieved that his forces had not been tested. The Pope was not a man to displease. That relief was short lived however. On May 8 scouts informed d?Este the Milanese army under Sforza (though with the turmoil that family had suffered over the past couple of decades I was not sure 'which' Sforza was leading) had crossed into Emilia, perhaps thinking the Papacy would be easier pickings than the Savoyards. d'Estes caught up with them and defeated the invaders 3 days later, killing approximately 2000 while suffering 600 casualties. He continued with the advance into Milan on order of the Pope, though remnants of the Milanese army would remain at large. On a totally different matter the Pope arranged a RM with Portugal on May 26.
June 4 found the army entrenched in Milan but undermanned, forcing d'Estes to wait for reinforcements. On a side note the Pope proclaimed that a merchant had established business in Venice. The middle of June saw a newly created army in Emilia hunt down Sfroza's ragtag collection and inflict another defeat on them, killing 1300 while suffering 350 casualties. Reinforcements from France under General Di Filace arrived from the west and the siege of Milan began. Newly appointed Col. Ticino pursued and engaged General Sforza's army in Romagna inflicting 540 casualties without losing a man, or so he claimed. He continued to pursue the enemy in Italy while the siege of Milan continued.
On July 21 Col.Ticino destroyed the Milanese army in Romagna, inflicting 3000 casualties while sustaining 3360 casualties of his own. The Pope, while pleased, found the looting and burning of Emilia and Romagna most disturbing. It probably distressed him more that it cut into profits. None of it was to matter, for on July 28 'glorious' Pope Innocent VIII died. While his legacy was one of corruption and anarchy, he would pale in comparison to his successor, Rodrigo de Borgia, who took the title Pope Alexander VI.
August saw Russia (Crimea, Ryazan and Pskov) accept Venice into their alliance, while Russia and Kazan made peace, with Kazan paying 98d and ceding Lipetsk to Russia as payment.
October 12 was a glorious day for the newly consecrated Pope. Milan fell to the combined forces of France and the Army of the Holy Cross. Shrewdly Pope Alexander VI arranged a RM with France, passing off some member of his extended family, I presume. He saw great worth in that alliance, more so that Spain was France's mortal enemy, and Naples to the south was a vassal of Spain.
Jan 1493
Treasury: 52d. The first quarter of the year was quiet, with only two events of any note. Given the absurdities of politics of the day, Naples, a Spanish vassal, entered an alliance with her protectorate. Secondly, advances in the construction of field artillery were implemented. (LT 3)
On March 4 the Pope signed a peace treaty with Milan, as the siege was diverting resources which Pope Alexander VI wished to use elsewhere. The terms were very good, though, for the Milanese paid Pope Alexander VI 250d to cover expenses. The money was used to commission (1000/1000/0) troops in Emilia and a further (1000/0/10) in Romagna.
A Brother informed me that Turkey had declared war on the Mameluks March 20th. We crossed ourselves and prayed they would wipe each other and their heathen cities from the face of the earth. How un-Christian, but they were just barbarians, after all. I quickly amended my prayer asking to leave their libraries intact.
The balance of the year saw the Pope arrange RM's with Spain and Austria meaning two more hapless Borgia's sent abroad. On December 11 France annexed Milan. Outwardly the Pope congratulated their close ally, but secretly he ranted and kicked things. He had wanted that prize for himself.
Jan 1494
Treasury: 137d. As the Pope solidified his hold on the Papacy both internally and externally I must bring attention to the rumours of death to anyone who opposed this man, his family and friends. As God is my witness they were true. There was a silent reign of terror as opponents and critics, no matter how insignificant (including us scholars) were found dead, usually by poison, but often by out and out murder. This was not a fun time.
January saw Persia enter an alliance with Poland-Lithuania and Moldavia, while February had Spain (Naples, Lorraine) invite Helvetia, The Palatinat and Scotland to their group. Finally England entered an alliance with The Teutonic Order and Prussia. Peace overtures to England were rebuffed since The Pope was still at war with the island nation. After taking out his anger on an unfortunate monk, The Pope decided that a policy of doing nothing would bring an end to the conflict, reasoning that England was so far away even the English wouldn't be daft enough to prosecute such a war over extended distances.
On April 27 the Mameluks and Turkey made peace, with Turkey receiving Judea, Lebanon and 44d. In May the advanced rudder (NT-1) was adapted to the Papal fleet. On the diplomatic front Denmark joined the Russian (Crimea, Ryazan, Pskov, Venice) Coaltion; Portugal and Brandenburg joined the Hanseatic (Pommerania, Holstein) Alliance and Hannover allied with Saxony. Relations with Venice, having improved over time, allowed the Pope to arrange a RM between the two states.
On May 23 a combined force from France, Brittany and Savoy captured Calais from the English.
In August Cologne joined the Spanish (Naples, Lorraine, Helvetia, The Palatinat, Scotland) Alliance, while
Poland-Lithuania (Moldavia, Persia) declared war on The Teutonic Order (Prussia, England). England now fought two separate wars, including the one against Rome.
The end of the year saw the Pope arrange a RM with Hungary. Some wondered when he would run out of family to give away.
Jan 1495
Treasury: 155d.
In March spies informed the Pope that at least 8 English ships had been spotted along the Barbery Coast. In disbelief the Pope ordered the army to mobilise, muttering something about crazy Englishmen. By July the English fleet had been sighted in the Adriatic Sea. The Pope decided not to meet them with the navy, stating it was a resource he had no desire to waste. He rightly believed his army could handle a small expeditionary force and on August 9 word reached the English had landed in Emilia. Field Chief Judge d'Este immediately marched to intercept this reckless band of hooligans.
After initial skirmishing and maneuvers, d'Estes' force (12625/3689/10) totally surprised the English army (7672/1935/0) on the dawn of September 18 and inflicted massive casualties, killing 4580 souls without a single loss, though, like Col. Ticino's report from June of '92, I found that part extremely hard to believe. Nevertheless Field Chief Judge d'Este would spend the better part of 4 weeks hounding the rogue English army, bringing them to several battles in Romanga and inflicting some 3116 casualties while suffering 435 in return. The English army, desperately on the run, would be intercepted near Rome by a newly raised force of (1000/0/0) under Col.Toscinini. Sadly the unseasoned Colonel would see his force annihilated by the desperate English. Pope Alexander VI, in a rage, would order d'Estes to finish this once in for all, while the hapless Col.Toscinini would never be heard from again.
Jan 1496
Treasury: 327d. The merchants and traders, ever eager to curry favour, gifted the Pope with 200d for his efforts in opening up the Venetian trade market. (Special Event: 200d) Alexander VI used the windfall and ordered troops to be raised in Emilia (1000/0/0) and Rome (1000/0/0). In a move to make tax collection more efficient he promoted a Bailiff in Romagna. The people, as expected, were not amused.
On January 6 Poland-Lithuania made peace with The Teutonic Order, paying 210d and ceding Lithuania to the venerable Knightly order. In February d'Estes finally cornered and destroyed the remainder of the English invasion force in Emilia. The rest of the year passed without incident.
Jan 1497
Treasury: 275d. The year began darkly. Juan de Borgia, Duke of Gandia, and overall commander of the Papal armies for the past year was most foully murdered. His older brother Cesare Borgia arrived at court as new commander of the Papal Army. It should be mentioned these two were sons of Rodrigo de Borgia, the Pope. Cesare had been appointed a Cardinal in 1493 and became a close advisor to his father, and it was said he became extremely jealous of his younger brother. Suffice to say the more malicious rumors linked Cesare to the death of Juan. It was certainly not spoken of openly if you valued your tongue. I thought my tongue looked fine right where it was.
January 20 saw England and France end their war, with Calais passing to French rule. Domestically the Pope's tax reforms continued with the promotion of another Bailiff in Emilia along with a commission to build a further 1000 infantry in that province. In February the monies procured for the war effort were paid back with interest (loan repaid).
On August 2 Venice declared war on Ragusa. All Venetian allies except Ryazan joined in (Crimea, Pskov, Russia, Denmark). The bullies. I felt sorry for tiny Ragusa. On the same day the Pope announced the Mameluks had joined our alliance (France, Savoy, Brittany, Papal States). Strange bedfellows indeed. In September Ryazan was invited back into the Russian Coalition.
My admiration went to Ragusa and my finger to Venice. Over the course of November and December they managed to defeat 2 Venetian armies which had invaded their borders, chasing the remnants away with an unholy glee.
Jan 1498
Treasury: 44d.
On February 8 Poland-Lithuania (Moldavia, Persia) declared war on Turkey (Hafsid Empire). At home 1000 infantry was commissioned in Emilia and in March another 3000 infantry was authorised in Romagna.
The year came to a close with Algiers entering the Turkish Union (Hafsid Empire). Of greater importance to the Papal navy was the announcement that shipwrights had been retained with the skill to construct Caravels (NT-2).
Jan 1499
Treasury: 193d. 10 artillery pieces were commissioned in Emilia, while England finally came to their senses declaring a White Peace with the Pope.
In January Austria (Bohemia, Hungary, Wurtemburg) accepted Bavaria into their alliance and in August Moldavia and Turkey made peace, with Moldavia paying 250d in war reparations. In November Poland-Lithuania and Turkey made peace with Poland-Lithuania receiving Dobrudga as compensation.
Jan 1500
Treasury: 151d. Stories abound about Cesare's debaucheries. He surrounded himself with gold, women and fine clothes, and had successfully isolated his father the Pope from any close friend or advisor by means of murder and poison. It struck your humble servant that Cesare meant to claim power for himself, even at the expense of his father. Wine, women, fine clothes. The lucky bas...
In January the Golden Horde (Astrakhan) declared war on Kazan. Countries to the east that merited little attention from this writer. In February the Pope arranged RMs with Bavaria and Savoy, though Wurtemberg and Baden declined. Obviously Wurtemberg and Baden were offered the dregs off the family tree. I've seen some of them, I'd decline too. Regardless, the northern borders appeared to be quite secure with the exception of Venice. In March Navarra joined the French Alliance (Savoy, Brittany, Papal States, Mameluks).
Jan 1501
Treasury: 180d. In February an explorer named Carrere volunteered to carry out explorations in the name of the Pope. The Pope, though bemused, did not wish to expend resources on such ventures at that time. On February 21, in what had been an extremely short war, Kazan paid 59d to the Golden Horde for peace.
In August the Teutonic Order (Prussia, England) declared war on Poland-Lithuania (Moldavia, Persia). Cesare apparently went on a tirade about being surrounded by war with no opportunity for glory. I am surprised his father didn't box him about the ears for a few hours.
On December 10 Ragusa and Denmark made peace, with Ragusa paying 250d in war indemnities. I must have missed the part where Denmark managed to get a force all the way around Europe to threaten tiny Ragusa. Still, for the past four years Ragusa had managed to remain independent, much to her credit. The Papal moneylenders were not giving them very good long-term odds, though.
Jan 1502
Treasury: 208d. Though an uneventful year as far as news was concerned, I must mention two particular people I had the fortune to meet. Over the past few months Cesare Borgia had managed to recruit the best officers and soldiers from Italy into his army, which no doubt explained way he was so desperate to try it out in battle. The man appointed as Chief Engineer went by the name of Leonardo Da Vinci, known to me by reputation as an artist and thinker. Indeed, I had the privilege to view some of his sketches and I confess they were beyond me. In fact, some of his ideas were downright outrageous. Imagaine a winged machine!Every idiot knew that man would never fly... The other person was a Florentine ambassador attached to Cesare's staff called Niccolò Machiavelli. An interesting man and a scholar much like myself?. Like myself. Right! Who was I kidding. This man was famous, surrounded by fawning admirers, while I sat in a dark candle lit cubbyhole writing this crap? I bet he even had his own publisher. But I digress.
On January 18 Denmark annexed Holstein and on December 3 Poland-Lithuania accepted peace with the Teutonic Order, giving up Polotsk and paying 190d in war reparations.
Jan 1503
Treasury: 237d. 1000 infantry were commissioned in Romagna while new advances in artillery were implemented (LT-4). In June final loan repayments were made to the moneylenders (200d).
It was August 18 and the church bells rang a mournful dirge, though for many it would be a time of great joy, even drink. Yes, lots of drink. Pope Alexander VI had died. His cause of death was controversial, but I had it on good authority that he accidentally poisoned himself. Forgive me for gloating, but God's will was done. By a strange twist of fate, his son took ill at the same time. Coincidence? I think not...
The man to succeed Alexander VI was Francesco Todeschini Piccolomini, who took the name of Pope Pius III. He was no friend of the Borgias and I could see that particular power base swing swiftly like a pendulum. As a side note, Giuliano della Rovere, a man who had been living in exile for ten years because of the Borgias, quietly returned to court, but more on him shortly.
In September France annexed Brittany.
In October the church bells, which had just stopped chiming for Alexander VI, rang anew as the recently ordained Pope Pius III passed away, apparently of natural causes, as the man was some 63 years of age. It was surely a record in Papal longevity. His successor was the aforementioned Giuliano della Rovere, who came to be known as Pope Julius II - the Warrior Pope.
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