The Princess Diaries (AAR Contest)

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Here's my entry in Tokarev's contest. I'll be posting it in smaller, but more often, installments. The format is to be excerpts from the diary of Marie Marguerite di Renaldi, a French noblewoman whose brother is the Prime Minister of Prussia.
Sheridan

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Chapter One
Beginnings

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December 25, 1491

Dear Diary,
My name is Marie Marguerite di Renaldi, a Princess of the Kingdom of France. My Italian last name comes from my father, Carlo di Renaldi, the younger son of an important Genoese family. He was married off to my mother, one of the younger daughters of the King of France, in 1457, and I was born in 1466. As I begin this new volume, it is Christmas 1491, and I am 25 years old.

My younger brother, Christophe di Renaldi, who has inherited my deceased mother's place among the French nobility, is the Comte de Berri, a territory in the central Loire Valley region. However, his ambition is to become the prime minister of a great nation. The French king, however, already possesses a skilled prime minister and has often rejected my brother as a 22-year-old upstart. He has gone travelling in the Germanic provinces, presenting himself for similar employment there.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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January 1, 1492

Dear Diary,

Today I received a dispatch from my brother, stating that he has been taken on as Prime Minister to the King of Prussia. Apparently he arrived just as the former Prussian prime minister was being beheaded for incomptence, and the exasperated King responded to his request, "Whatever."

My brother has also indicated that he is searching for a suitable husband for me, and may send for me in the spring. His letter also mentioned that he is directing the Prussian government to improve its stability and efficiency, and that the Polish army seems to be withdrawing from the Prussian border regions.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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April 1, 1492

Dear Diary,

I received another courier from Prussia today. My brother has arranged a marriage with the second son of the heir to the Prussian throne, a young lad named Prince Rupert, and requests that I set to order our affairs in France and join him in Prussia as soon as possible. He expresses happiness that the Netherlands has joined the Prussian alliance, but is dismayed that Poland has allied with the Hansa.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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May 1, 1492

Dear Diary,

I have arrived in Berlin, capital of Prussia, and preparations for my wedding to the Prince Rupert are nearing completion. Last night, having dinner with my brother, the Prime Minister, he informed me that the initiative to increase government stability and efficiency has succeeded, and he is now directing government funding into research in the technologies of land warfare.

The Prussian Army has also been expanded by ten thousand foot soldiers; seven thousand to the Eastern army, in East Prussia, and three thousand to the Western Army here in Brandenburg province.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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May 5, 1492

What a glorious day! I was married today to Prince Rupert, in the National Cathedral in Berlin. I believe I saw my brother, the groom's man, whispering with the ambassador of the Teutonic Order of Livonian Knights, during the reception. I wonder what that might be about, as we are already allied with them.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Sept 1, 1492

Long months of secrecy were broken today, as my brother revealed that the ambassador of the Teutonic Order has invited the King's sister, Princess Eugenia, to wed their First Knight, and she has set out from Berlin today, for their capital at Riga.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Jan 1, 1493

I had dinner with my brother again today. He revealed that the King had overruled his suggestion to expand the army, and ordered that the annual census taxes be used to promote a tax collector in Magdeburg province. Christophe seems dismayed by this breach of their trust, but admits that it was his second choice of action nonetheless.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Feb 1, 1493

While I was observing the Royal Court this afternoon, an unexpected gift of 500 gold coins arrives from a group of Prussian merchants and nobility overseas. The King again overrules my brother, using the funds to promote tax collectors in the remaining provinces (Memel, East Prussia, Brandenburg and Kustrin).

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Mar 1, 1493

During dinner with the Venetian Ambassador, I learn that they have signed an alliance with Poland and the Hansa. My brother immediately rose from the table and went to inform the King. Upon his return, he pulled me aside and tole me that the King had decided to fight Venice in the halls of trade, and financed several merchants travelling to Mecklenburg.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Apr 1, 1493

The Prussian Defense Minister arrived while I was, once again, at the Royal Court, informing the King and my brother, the Prime Minister, that they were now ready to begin large scale construction of portable cannon. The King immediately orders 120, with two thirds to be delivered to the army in East Prussia and the other third, to the army outside Berlin.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Jul 1, 1493

During a state dinner, I learn that the King has financed another pai of merchant expeditions to Mecklenburg, and that an alliance exists between Austria, Bohemia, Hungary, Baden, Wurtemburg, and Lorraine.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Dec 13, 1493

A dispatch rider from our embassy in Paris arrived at the Royal Court today, as I was playing chess with my brother. He informed us that the French and Spanish allainces have gone to war with one another.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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- I'll continue soon with events of 1494 and beyond.
Sheridan

 

[Carolus Rex]

Bravo!!

The Princess is you, will you get married more?

 

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Probably not... since she's a French princess, and we're playing Prussia here. (with an RM with France.) However, I can see her getting remarried into the Prussian royalty when/if her current husband dies.

Mostly I'm just using her as the narrator, with her info coming from her close contacts in the Prussian government (after all, she's married to a grandson of the King, and her brother is the Prime Minister).

FYI, in the contest we're only playing 40 years, so it's likely this AAR will end there, with her brother ending his term as Prime Minister. (I've already got an idea of what might happen to him in 1532.)

 

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The Pommeranian War

January 1, 1494

Dear Diary,
During today's annual New Year's ball, I had an opportunity to dance with the Minister of War. He was positively gloating that he had earlier convinced the King to spend this year's census taxes on the military, raising another 2,000 foot soldiers in Berlin and 10 cannons in East Prussia. (Once these recruitments are complete, the western army will stand at 25/5/5, and the eastern army at 15/2/9.)

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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March 22, 1494

Dear Diary,
While I was at the Court today, the King completed our mediation of the current war between Milan (a Spanish ally) and France, with Milan agreeing to pay tribute to France. This day, however, was also marred by the news that the Polish-Hansa alliance has grown, by signing on England (who dishonored their alliance with Spain when the war broke out).

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Jun 1, 1494

Dear Diary,
My brother seems at once overjoyed and dismayed. The King's Physician claims that he has been struck by a temporary form of madness, and rule of the country, for the time being, has fallen to my brother, the Prime Minister. He had himself introduced at court today in the King's place, using his full formal name and title: Christophe Alexandre di Renaldi, Comte de Berri, and Prime Minister and Chief Adviser to the King of Prussia.

The only other news of any importance is that the long-absent Polish army has reappeared on our borders.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Dec 16, 1494

Dear Diary,
Another war is reported to have proken out, this time between the neighboring Polish-Hansa alliance and the alliance led by Russia. My brother, still ruling the country, seems dismayed by the news that all members honored the alliance. He seems to have been hoping that someone would choose to stand alone in peace, and thus become vulnerable to our forces.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Jan 1, 1495

Dear Diary,
My brother has ordered that the bulk of the census taxes be used to raise another 10 cannons for the eastern army. The income seems greater this year, thanks to the newly completed tax collector promotions. (Up from 52 to 58.) He, as well as the Minister of War, seem to be ready to fight and looking for someone to make themselves vulnerable - as we have no hope of winning a war against any of our neighbors, as long as they fight together with their current allies.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Jan 29, 1495

Dear Diary,
That which my brother and the Minister of War had awaited has now happened. A war was declared today between Venice, England, Poland and Hansa and their enemies, Spain, Naples and Egypt. Both pommerania and Holstein withdrew from the Hansa alliance. Though we have no border with Holstein, Pommerania occupies a long strip of land between our western territories and the sea. My brother is already having a declaration of war drafted.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Feb 2, 1495

Dear Diary,
Today at court I had the pleasure of seeing three shocked ambassadors receive news of Prussia's confidence in its military. First came the Pommeranian ambassador, who was ceremoniously handed a formal declaration of war. Shortly thereafter, the ambassadors of our allies, the Netherlands and of the Teutonic Order of Livonian Knights, arrived to discuss the declaration of war. The Minister of War, with my brother's approval, calmly told them, "We can handle this; your assistance will not be requested." I wish I could set down the looks on their faces in words.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Mar 3, 1495

Dear Diary,
My brother invited me to the War Council chambers today, and announced that the army - which departed Berlin last month - sent a rider overnight with news that they have begun to assault the provincial capital in Western Pommerania, with plans to lay siege should the assault fail.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Mar 5, 1495

Dear Diary,
News reached the War Council today that the Russians have conquered the Khanate of Kazan. Also, my brother has expanded the War Council to include myself and the recently recovered King. The King, however, is deferring all war-related decisions to the Council, and refused veto power over its decisions.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Mar 16, 1495

Dear Diary,
News reached us today that, despite taking half their number in casualties, the Western Pommeranian garrison has held, and our army is now laying seige to the fortress. Their army, which had previously taken shelter in their capital in Eastern Pommerania, has now been sighted advancing toward Berlin, avoiding our own army.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Apr 5, 1495

Dear Diary,
The War Council removed to Magdeburg last week, as the Pommeranian army approached and began to lay seige to Berlin. Our seige continues in Western Pommerania. To counteract the social effects of the King fleeing the enemy, my brother orders the Treasury to shift investments from land technology to government stability and efficiency.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Jun 7, 1495

Dear Diary,
We have no wbeen in Magdeburg, in temporary quarters, for over two months. We do not plan to return to Berlin anytime soon, as Pommeranian forces have closed seige lines around the city. A dispatch rider from our Western Army informed us that they have begun another assault against the fortress city that serves as the capital of Western Pommerania. Our Eastern Army, of course, has seen no action, as we have neither the shipping capacity nor a land route to move them to Pommeranian territory.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Jun 26, 1495

Dear Diary,
Next week it will be three months we have been in Magdeburg. The war seems to be progressing, but it is still unclear which side will win. We had hoped for a swift victory, but the Pommeranian garrisons seem to be holding up better than expected. The second assault in Western pommerania has been called off, but the seige continues.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Aug 8, 1495

Dear Diary,
A dispatch rider arrived today with news that Naples has agreed to pay tribute to Venice. This has little bearing on the ongoing Pommeranian War, or on our affairs altogether, but it is worth making note of.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Sep 25, 1495

Dear Diary,
Glorious news today, as the fortress in Western Pommerania has fallen and our army is moving to the east, toward the remaining Pommeranian territory. Their ambassador approached the War Council with an offer for a status quo peace, but we unanimously voted to refuse.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Oct 8, 1495

Dear Diary,
Our government has retuned to its former efficiency, and the tax funding is once again being directed toward land warfare technologies. A rider from our Dutch allies informs us that the badly baten Milanese have agreed to pay tribute to Brittany, and to status quo peace agreements with Helvetia and Savoy. (All are French allies, as this is part of the war that broke out in 1493.)

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Nov 6, 1495

Dear Diary,
A rider arrived to report that the army is now laying seige to the Pommeranian capital. They have chosen not to assault, but rather to wait until spring, hoping that the winter will weaken the Pommeranian defenses.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Dec 12, 1495

Dear Diary,
Reports arrived today that a band of freshly recruited Pommeranian recruits tried to break the seige of their capital, from the countryside. They were beaten back in a four day battle, and are now 'retreating' to join the seige at Berlin instead.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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(Author's Note: I had planned to write 2 years at a time, but as there's a war on, I will finish the war.)

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Jan 6, 1496

Dear Diary,
We have learned, of late, how cold Magdeburg can be in winter. On the bright side, the annual census taxes are in, and we of the War Council have ordered that the province of Kustrin raise five thousand soldiers to joint he Western Army in Eastern Pommerania.

The Spanish ambassador arrives, having been allowed through the Berlin seige lines, and informed us that Spain has conquered Helvetia, then made peace with france, ceding the provinces of Artois and Luxembourg in addition to paying tribute.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Mar 28, 1496

Dear Diary,
Today marks a year since our removal to Magdeburg, which was, and still is, necessary due to the Pommeranian seige of Berlin. The only news of import was the Turkish ambassador, informing us that they have conquered Egypt.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Aug 13, 1496

Dear Diary,
Today we received word of war between the French and Austrian alliances, with the Austrian alliance being dishonored by Bohemia. While Bohemia now lays exposed, we do not have the means to take them on while still at war with Pommerania.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Nov 18, 1496

Dear Diary,
News reached the War council of both good and bad news. On the good side, Poland has been forced to pay tribute to Russia. On the bad side, Berlin has fallen to the Pommeranian army. In response, we decide to raise war taxes and invest in government efficiency.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Jan 21, 1497

Dear Diary,
The annual tax incomes, coupled with the war taxes, have been used to raise eight thousand new foot soldiers here in Magdeburg province, to assist in the liberation of Berlin. Milan's ambassador arrives, to inform us that they have paid tribute to the Pope.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Feb 7, 1497

Dear Diary,
My friend, the French ambassador, the Comte de Caux, arrived today with news that France has conquered Lorraine. My brother offers his congratulations, and orders that a cheese be shipped from our family lands in france to the Ambassador's home there.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Apr 10, 1497

Dear Diary,
Another visit from the Comte de Caux today, who came with word that France has conquered Baden. The King expressed alarm that French territories now exist east of the Rhine, which he had thought was their natural boundary. My brother, on the other hand, remarked that a strong France is good for Prussia, as it will draw Austrian attention away from our activities.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Jun 1, 1497

Dear Diary,
Three parties of refugees from Berlin have applied to the King for permission to set up colonies overseas. However, we know of no unclaimed territories, so the King... grants them permission in principle, but specifies that he shall choose the time and the place for the colonies, then defers that choice indefinitely. The Comte de Caux arrives once again, informing us that France has conquered Wurtemburg. And, finally, our government's former stability is restored and funding shifted back to land technologies.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Jul 4, 1497

Dear Diary,
Our war seems to be within sight of total victory, as reports arrived today that the Eastern Pommeranian garrison has surrendered. Now we only need to reclaim Berlin. The armies in Magdeburg and Eastern Pommerania are converging on he Pommeranian army there, and we hope for a decisive battle soon. As their territories are occupied, the Pommeranians can expect no reinforcements.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Aug 19, 1497

Dear Diary,
The war is pretty much over; tis only a matter of time now. In a fierce five-day battle, the Pommeranian forces guarding Berlin were savaged and driven off, and our forces laid seige to the city. With the familiarity we have with the area, and the townspeople against them, we expect the Pommeranian occupation force to surrender within weeks. In other news, Cologne has paid tribute to the Pope, and Savoy has paid tribute to Spain.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Sep 29, 1497

Dear Diary,
The city of Berlin is once again in our hands, and the King has summoned the King - not the Ambassador, mind you, but the King - of Pommerania to meet us at court on the first.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Oct 1, 1497

Dear Diary,
Today the King of Pommerania was forced to kneel before the King of Prussia and sign away his entire kingdom. In order to appease the Pommeranian nobles, the King graciously allowed the King to retain his territories, but he shall now be called the Duke of Pommerania, but it is to be a permanent part of Prussia forevermore. I am happy to have returned to Berlin; we were away for nearly thirty months. I think i will miss Magdeburg.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Nov 23, 1497

Dear Diary,
Our window of opportunity to attack Bohemia seems to have closed, as their ambassador informed us, today. that they have signed a new alliance with Austria and Hungary.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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(As you see, we won the war, but it was relatively long. I'm not really sure what the next step will be, as I'm petty much following a strategy of massive military buildups, followed by picking off my neighbors when I catch them out of alliances.)

Post-war military status, after regrouping: Western Army (Berlin), 26/1/6. Eastern Army (E. Prussia, did not engage), 15/2/10. Also picked up the former Pommeranian Navy, 2/0/1, based in Eastern Pommerania.

Next installment - 1498 and beyond.

 

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Aftermath of the Pommeranian Conquest

Jan 12, 1498

Dear Diary,
The term of service of the War Council has basically ended, but in the process of the war, I have forged friendships with many of the King's closest advisers, including my brother, the Prime Minister. By reminding them of the economic battle with Venice the King undertook in 1493, I was able to convince the Council to finance any and all merchants who wished to travel to Mecklenburg this winter. Our annual income was depressed to 42 gold coins, mainly because many areas of the country are struggling through after the harvests were disrupted by war for the last few years.

A courier arrived today to inform the War Council of Prussia of a war between Russia and its allies and the alliance of the Golden Horde and Astrakhan.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Mar 16, 1498

Dear Diary,
A courier arrived today to inform the Court that both Austria and Naples have paid tribute to the Pope, ending their war.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Apr 3, 1498

Dear Diary,
A Prussian spy in the court of Saxony has sent word that Saxony will sign an alliance today with Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Holstein and Serbia. Based on this news, Saxony will undoubtedly not be our next target for invasion. The War Council has ceased having regular meetings.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Jun 23, 1498

Dear Diary,
Another courier arrived at the Royal Court today, with news that Cologne has been forced to pay tribute to Savoy.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Sep 26, 1498

Dear Diary,
News arrived today, via the Turkish ambassador, that Portugal and Greece have declared war upon them. The King then threw the Turkish ambassador out of the country and asked those of us present at Court why he hadn't done so sooner. None of us had an answer.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Nov 10, 1498

Dear Diary,
News of two peace settlements were brought to Court today by the Russian and Spanish ambassadors. Russia has apparently forced the Golden Horde to cede Kujbyschew and pay tribute, and Navarra has paid tribute to the court of Spain.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Feb 1, 1499

Dear Diary,
I returned to court today after a long trip to our familial lands in central France. In my absence, several important events have occured in Prussia, reducing my access to Court. The old King has perished, and a new King, Joachim Nestor, has been appointed. He is the elder brother of my husband's father. A new Supreme Commander has been appointed for our armies, Field Marshal Casimir. He has also taken personal command of the Western Army (rated 2/3/2/1). In order to increase his forces, the annual income (of 75) has been devoted to purchasing 30 new cannons for the Western Army.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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May 20, 1499

Dear Diary,
During dinner with the Foreign Minister, the Baron of Dessau, I learned that during this month, Cologne has paid tribute to Brittany, and Navarra has conquered Milan. In addition, the Minister seemed worried that Venice is winning its curent war against Spain.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Aug 12, 1499

Dear Diary,
The Baron of Dessau's concerns seem justified, as the Spanish ambassador visited Court today and reported that Spain has ceded Sicily to Venice - though not, apparently, the adjoining province of Messina.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Nov 4, 1499

Dear Diary,
Today, news arrived from the Greek ambassador that they have been forced to pay tribute to the Turks. The King expressed dismay that he had expelled the Turkish ambassador, as it now denied him the opportunity of having him killed.

The Minister of the Treasury also managed to convince the King to impose trade restrictions of foreign merchants; however, this has minimal effect since we do not control a center of trade. The restrictions will remain in place until March of 1503.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Jan 1, 1500

Dear Diary,
News arrived, alon with the annual tax income (of 75) that our army has once again improved its technology. The King, nonetheless, denies them use of the large sum of funding, instead commissioning a tax collector in Eastern Pommerania (as the Western Pommeranian tax collectors largely survived the war), and construction of a troop transport ship, increasing our navy to a total of 4 ships (2 warships, and 2 transports).

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Apr 1, 1500

Dear Diary,
Glorious news today from my friend the French ambassador, the Comte de Caux. The war between Austria and France has ended with France gaining the province of Alsace.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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May 15, 1500

Dear Diary,
Today we had news that Navarra has conquered Cologne. According to my brother, the King expressed dismay that an outside nation seems to be showing a permanent interest in Germany.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Jul 5, 1500

Dear Diary,
The Spanish ambassador seems embarrased for his country. He visited while I was having lunch with my brother, to inform him that Spain has made peace with England and the Hansa, in each case giving up a province. England now controls Rousillion and the Hansa controls Zeeland.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Sep 28, 1500

Dear Diary,
The expelled Turkish ambassador returned today to announce their conquest of Georgia. In return, the King had him executed for violating the terms of his expulsion from Prussia.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Nov 20, 1500

Dear Diary,
The War Council had its first official meeting in over two years today, as a courier arrived informing us that the Teutonic Order and the Netherlands, our allies, have declared war upon the Danish alliance. Seeing that we have only a very small fleet - and no borders with the alliance, as both Saxony and Serbia dishonored the Danes - we choose not to enter the war. We are able, however, to resign our alliance immediately.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Dec 19, 1500

Dear Diary,
Prussia now stands alone. Our allies have declared war upon the Turks, and despite his hatred for them, the King even advised we stay out of it, for the same reasons as in the Danish war. We choose to dishonor the alliance, and no longer to seek alliance with our plainly insane former allies. In order to counteract the pro-war protests, we divert current research funding from land technologies into increasing our stability.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Jan 25, 1501

Dear Diary,
Due to the reduced stability, the annual income to the Prussian crown was only 62 gold coins this year. Saxony and Serbia rejoined the Danish alliance, and war broke out between the Turks and the alliance of England, Venice, Poland and the Hansa. This war alliance is dishonored by our neighbor, Hannover, and the King decides to order 20 more cannons for the Western Army, in preparations for an invasion of Hannover.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Mar 4, 1501

Dear Diary,
Our window of opportunity is closed, as Hannover signed an alliance with Hessen today. In a change of direction, we offer to join the alliance, but they refuse.

My brother has suugested that I take a year, and travel again to our lands in France, as nothing is expected to happen soon.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Mar 17, 1502

Dear Diary,
In my absence, the King has ordered another 20 cannons for the Western Army. I rode back to Prussia myself, rather than send a courier, to inform them that the Duke of Brittany has subjected his realm, forever, to the Kingdom of France as an integral part, rather than its previous relationship of vassalage.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Apr 1, 1502

Dear Diary,
Our government has regained its former stability. In order to better equip the Army, the King has decided to take our monthly income as cash for a few months, and then invest it in trade efficiency.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Jun 1, 1502

Dear Diary,
Today I had a picnic with my husband, the Prince, as well as Field Marshal Casimir and his wife. I learned that the King has purchased another 20 cannons for the Western Army, and this force now consists of 26,000 foot soldiers, 1,000 cavalry and 130 cannons.

----

This brings us to the end of 1502 - actually a year past the 10 years requested for this week's entry, but as this is how far I've played so far and no much was happening, I figured I'd write it up. Advice is invited for future action; I'll be posting 1503 through 1511 or so during the next week, per the AAR contest rules.
- Sheridan

 

[Lucidor]

Nice one! I enjoyed playing the Prussians, since their firepower is really overwhelming. Fun, compared to many other nations.

 

[Carolus Rex]

Pretty good, for a fairy Princess. How about a RM?

 

[unmerged(1047)]

Well, Carolus... I'm kinda working on a movie tie-in, but it won't be evident until the story is completed. (If you're really familiar with the movie, you *might* see it before that, maybe even already.)

Also, if you notice there was already an RM... she's a French princess married into the Prussian royalty.

 

[Carolus Rex]

Divorce!

 

[unmerged(1047)]

The Next Chapter

As we left off, I was just finishing 1502... so here we continue with 1503. - Sheridan

----

Jan 1, 1503

Dear Diary,
The War Council has resumed meeting in peacetime, and today decided to spend the annual tax income on 30 cannons for the Western Army here in Brandenburg Province. We have also dispatched diplomats to arrange marriages with several other German states, as it seems a number of the subordinate Prussian lords have daughters of marriageable age whose husbands were killed in the Pommeranian War, which we were unaware of.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Apr 5, 1503

Dear Diary,
Our diplomats succeeded in arranging marriages into the royalty of Hannover, Hessen, Kleves, and the merchant rulers of the Hansa. We were, however, refused by the Palatinate. In other news, it appears a war has broken out between Moldavia and Wallachia and some of its allies, comprising parts of the Turkish alliance.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Aug 1, 1503

Dear Diary,
The former Turkish allies that left their alliance in the Moldavian war have all rejoined it. The King, infuriated by this news, set to cleaning his castle, and found a chest of 300 gold coins hidden beneath his mother's bed that he had been unaware of. This funding was sent to the coast to expand our navy by 6 troop transport ships.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Oct 28, 1503

Dear Diary,
Our friend, the French ambassador and Comte du Caux, informed me today that France and its allies - Navarra, Savoy, the Papal States and Scotland - have gone to war against Genoa, Tuscany, Modena and the Knights of Rhodes. It pains me to see the lands of my parents at war with one another, but as the sister to the Count of Berri, I of course support France. The Prussian government, seeing no opportunity, nor reason, to interfere, remains neutral.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Jan 1, 1504

Dear Diary,
The annual tax incomes, in addition to leftovers from last year's windfall, bring the treasury to 239 coins. A courier arrives, announcing a white peace between the Teutonic Order and their allies in the Free Netherlands, and the Turkish. The King of Prussia dismisses the courier and orders another 6 troop transports to be built as soon as those still under construction are complete.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Apr 1, 1504

Dear Diary,
A courier arrived to inform us that a white peace has been declared between Spain and the Papal States. We decide to cut support for the navy to half, as we do not plan to send them to sea without a war, and it will save us about 9 coins per year in the meantime.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Sep 14, 1504

Dear Diary,
A Papal legate - their form of ambassador - has arrived in prussia and set up an embassy, bringing with him news that it was funded by tribute paid to them by Modena, ending their war. The King impresses the Legate by ordering another 3 troop transports to be built, passing over the funding for them in the Legate's presence.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Oct 15, 1504

Dear Diary,
Not much news to report, except that a courier has arrived to inform us that Moldavia has paid tribute to Wallachia.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Jan 5, 1505

Dear Diary,
Spontaneous volunteerism for the Army has increased the Western Army by 5500 foot soldiers and 1100 cavaliers, bringing its total size to approximately 32,000 foot soldiers, 2,000 cavaliers and 180 cannon. The King also dispatches funding for one more troop transport, bringing the fleet up to 2 warships and 18 transports.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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May 28, 1505

Dear Diary,
The Papal Legate informed the Court today that they have paid tribute and ceded the province of Romagna to Tuscany. The King shrugged and returned to our chess game, which I eventually conceded when he cornered my king with a rook and his queen.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Sep 11, 1505

Dear Diary,
News came today that the Portuguese and Turkish alliances have gone to war. Or parts of them, anyway, as both sides were dishonored by mutiple allies (the Portuguese and Greeks are fighting without their Persian and Hafsid allies, while the Turks, Wallachians, and Algierians must fight without their allies in the Hedjaz, Oman, and Aden).

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Oct 15, 1505

Dear Diary,
The French Ambassador brought news today that Modena has paid tribute to France. The King of Prussia smiled, and exclaimed that he had been waiting for just such a happy occasion to unviel his newest idea, and symbol of Prussian might. He then issued a proclamation formally naming our fleet the "High Seas Squadron".

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

(editor's note - I hacked the navynames.csv a long time ago and built this one in - used a reorganization to activate it. - Sheridan)

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Jan 1, 1506

Dear Diary,
Our diplomats report that they have arranged a marriage between the ruler of the Netherlands and the daughter of the Duke of Magdeburg, after failing to marry her off into the Saxon royalty. The King orders another troop transport built and named after this noblewoman.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Mar 5, 1506

Dear Diary,
Today the King ordered 9,000 foot soldiers to be raised in Eastern Prussia, raising the Eastern Army to 24,000 foot soldiers, 2,000 cavaliers and 100 cannons. In other news, the Hedjaz has reportedly rejoined the Turkish alliance, and Persia has allied with Nubia.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Sep 1, 1506

Dear Diary,
Today we recieved word of a tribute paid by Savoy to Spain, and a white peace between Navarra and Genoa. In addition, the King secretly informed the War Council that he has designs of the Teutonic Order's province of Courland, an important trading center, as he believes that controlling this trade would grant us a larger income with which to subdue the western and southern German states, and possibly parts of western Poland.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Nov 14, 1506

Dear Diary,
Secret preparations for war are continuing through the winter, including figuring out how to transport the Western Army by sea, should it prove necessary, to the eastern provinces. In the meantime, we have recieved word that the Palatinate has paid tribute to the Papal States, which in turn paid it to Naples, and that a war has broken out between France, Savoy, Scotland, the Papal States and Navarra and the alliance of Austria, Bohemia, Hungary and Bavaria. The King is secretly pleased by this, as it will prevent the Austrian alliance from attacking us during our planned war with the Teutonic Order.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

-----

I'll leave off here so that I can cover the Teutonic War in the next segment - and because it's rather cold and my fingers are getting stiff! Who'd think it could be this cold - even in the mountains - in southern California, even in January? (It's been below freezing at night the last 4 nights)

Oh, one other thing... though I doubt any of them read here... congratulations and thank you to the crews of USS Princeton and USS Antietam, which safely returned to port in San Diego yesterday, in from the War on Terrorists.

- Sheridan

 

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The Teutonic War and the Bohemian War

(Note: I will be leaving off at August 1511, as September 1511-September 1516 need to be all one piece because of the events that happened then.)

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Jan 1, 1507

Dear Diary,
In final preparations for war, the King oday ordered a 20th troop transport, and sent preliminary marching orders to our forces, ordering them to prepare for warin the spring.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Feb 4, 1507

Dear Diary,
War preparations continue, especially in the eastern provinces. A courier arrived today to inform us that Oman has allied with Turkey. The King declared, "That is no concern to the Court of Prussia" and sent him on his way.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Mar 1, 1507

Dear Diary,
The Ambassador of the Teutonic Order of Livonian Knights was at court when a courier arrived today, informing us of a new alliance between Aden and the Turks. The King repies, "It is no matter, we are at war with them," and points at the Ambassador. The ashenfaced Ambassador stared at him, and the King nodded, "Oh yes. There's supposed to be a formal declaration of war here somewhere..." and comes up with one, pulling the document from his scribe's desk. "Here."

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Mar 26, 1507

Dear Diary,
We recieved word today that the Eastern Army has laid siege to our target, the province of Courland. Our King ordered monthly taxes to be used to improve government stability.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

-----

Apr 22, 1507

Dear Diary,
A couirier arrived to inform us that Moldavia has paid tribute to the Turks. The King had the courier held at the door, as has been our practice the last three weeks. "On your way here, did you travel through Magdeburg or Pommerania?" The courier denied this, and was allowed within the chamber, asking why. "There is plague there. Avoid those provinces at all costs."

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

May 22, 1507

Dear Diary,
The Eastern Army reports that the Teutonic Order's forces have broken the siege of Courland and driven them off to Memel, with only 11,000 foot soldiers and 90 cannons remaining.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Jul 18, 1507

Dear Diary,
The Teutonic forces have moved to East prussia and besieged it, and our Eastern Army has returned to Courland.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Sep 19, 1507

Dear Diary,
The seige of Courland has ended in our victory, and the Eastern Army has sent word that they are moving forward to the Teutonic capital in Livonia province. Meanwhile the Teutonic warriors are still beseiging East Prussia.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Mar 6, 1508

Dear Diary,
Word arrived today that the King had secretly - even from the War Council, fearing Teutonic spies - raised 12,000 new foot soldiers in Memel during the winter, and that they were now ready to advance. The War Council decided to send these untested troops to aid the Eastern Army in the seige of Livonia, rather than send them against the seige force in East Prussia.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Apr 1, 1508

Dear Diary,
The Spanish ambassador arrived today, informing us, the Prussian War Council, that they have made peace with navarra, gaining Milan and a large portion of the Navarran treasury. Our forces in Livonia report that winter has strongly depleted their forces, but we send back word of the fresh recruits.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Apr 24, 1508

Dear Diary,
The French Ambassador, the Comte du Caux, arrived today informing us that they have received tribute from the Palatinate, ending their war. Ours continues, as the Memel recruits have now arrived in Livonia.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Jun 26, 1508

Dear Diary,
A courier from Portugal arrived today to inform us that the Hafsids have joined the Portuguese-Greek alliance. We also recieved word that the Eastern Army has taken Livonia, and is now moving to permanent quarters in Courland as we negotiate a peace treaty with the Teutonic Order's ambassador here, who has been under house arrest since the war began. The Eastern Army, including new recruits, reportedly now stands at 10,000 soldiers and 90 cannons, having been decimated by the Livonian winter and the lack of supplies in their countryside.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Jun 30, 1508

Dear Diary,
Today, I was present at Court as the King and my brother, the Prime Minister and Comte du Berri, signed the peace treaty with the Teutonic ambassador, in which we gained the province of Courland. The remainder of the Eastern Army is ordered to occupy the province.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Jun 22, 1509

Dear Diary,
I returned to Prussia today, after spending ten months in our family's lands in Berri, in central France. Rumor is that the courts of France and Spain have taken notice of the rising power of Prussia and are looking into the causes of it. The Court of France will likely soon discover the application for the post of Prime Minister that my brother submitted in 1491.

As I returned, the plague in Magdeburg and the Pommeranian provinces has burned out, and we have bugun forcing merchants into the trading center of Courland. The armies are still preparing for the next war, though against whom and when it might be has not been decided, and no new recruits have yet been raised.

In other news, Greece has reportedly paid tribute to the Turks, and Russia has gone to war with the Swedish/Danish/Norwegian/Saxon/Holstein alliance, which was dishonored by Serbia.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Aug 15, 1509

Dear Diary,
We recieved war today that France has paid tribute to our neighbors in Bohemia, and that Spain and Naples have declared war on Russia, and were dishonored by the Palatinate.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Sep 21, 1509

Dear Diary,
Word arrived today that Crimea is now allied with Persia, and that the Teutonic Order has paid tribute to Denmark.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Jan 24, 1510

Dear Diary,
Our government has nearly regained its pre-war stability, and a courier arrived today to inform us that Ryazan has allied itself with Russia. Our King used the yearly tax income to fund 9,000 soldiers here in Brandenburg province.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Mar 8, 1510

Dear Diary,
Couriers arrived today informing us that Serbia has rejoined the Danish alliance, and the Palatinate has allied with Thuringia. Our war preparations are nearing completion, and the King reveals our target - the Bohemian province of Silesia.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Apr 4, 1510

Dear Diary,
Today we declared war upon the alliance of Bohemia, Austria, Hungary, and Bavaria. The Western Army is split, half being sent to Silesia and the other half toward Bohemia via the province of Erz. Each half of the army consists of 20,000 soldiers, 1,000 cavaliers and 90 cannons.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

May 4, 1510

Dear Diary,
We received word that our army has won a battle and laid seige to Silesia. No wrod as yet from the other strike force. In order to concentrate more on us, perhaps, Austria has paid tribute to the Papal States.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

May 24, 1510

Dear Diary,
We received word from our western strike force today. They apparently encountered a Bohemian army in Erz, and lost a battle there, and are now in retreat toward Berlin.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Jun 19, 1510

Dear Diary,
Word arrived from Silesia today of a failed Bohemian attempt to break the seige laid by our strike force there. In addition, our second strike force returned to Berlin, depleted and demoralized from their battle in Erz. We also received word that Modena has paid tribute to Savoy.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Jun 30, 1510

Dear Diary,
After another losing battle, our forces are retreating from Berlin. In the 'true spirit' of Prussian militarism, the court has removed to the seige in Silesia. Both i and my brother, the Prime Minister, tried to impress upon the King that this would expose him to possible capture, but he would not hear it.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Jul 28, 1510

Dear Diary,
The seige of Silesia continues. A courier arrived today to inform us that France has paid tribute to Bavaria. The King is enraged, as this means more cash to our enemies in this war.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Sep 7, 1510

Dear Diary,
We received a new ambassador today, from the newly independent Kingdom of Sicily. They have declared independence and gone to war with Spain and Naples. In addition, Silesia fell to our seige today, and our army has advanced toward Moravia. Our second strike force is advancing on Erz yet again.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Oct 6, 1510

Dear Diary,
Our forces today began a seige in Moravia, and in response, Bohemia's army lifted its seige of Berlin and is now reportedly on the way to Silesia, where they will likely encounter our second strike force, advancing from Kustrin province. The Royal Court will be returning to Berlin within the week.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Nov 10, 1510

Dear Diary,
The Bohemian army has arrived in Silesia, and been defeated by our strike force there, led by Field Marshal Casimir. Once Moravia falls, the war should be over with our victory, or so my brother says.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Dec 19, 1510

Dear Diary,
The strike force in Silesia has won another battle against the Bohemians, and a courier arrived today informing us of a peace treaty, during which Russia paid tribute and ceded Karelia to Sweden.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Feb 6, 1511

Dear Diary,
Today we received word that Moravia has fallen to our forces. The King has summoned the Bohemian ambassador and has already begun drafting a peace treaty.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Feb 8, 1511

Dear Diary,
The Bohemian ambassador arrived today, and was forced to sign the peace treaty, ceding Silesia to the Kingdom of Prussia. No tribute was demanded, as the King said that would be an unnecessary insult to Bohemian independence, and we have no further ambitions on their territories as they now stand.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

Mar 6, 1511

Dear Diary,
Several pieces of news arrived in the last few weeks, and were brought up at today's War Council meeting. Holstein has broken away from its vassalage to Denmark, France has paid tribute to Hungary, and our government has finally regained the stability it had before the Teutonic War. We have regrouped our Western Army in Silesia, with 17,000 soldiers and 180 cannons, and diverted our monthly taxes to trade research. Finally, a courier rushes in, announcing that Sicily is now allied with France and its allies.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

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Aug 10, 1511

Dear Diary,
Two pieces onlyu of news reached us this spring and summer. First, France and Spain agreed to a peace treaty, in which both sides kept what they had before their last war. In the second, we received the rather alarming news that our neighbors, Poland, have gained the province of Dobrudja from the Turks.

- Marie Marguerite di Renaldi

----

(I will be leaving off here, as stated, because the latter part of 1511 was the beginning of tumultous events that continue into 1516, and I'drather not jump quite that far ahead at this point. - Sheridan)

 

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Apologies, folks... I've been very busy and somewhat ill the last week or two - currently I'm not sure if I'll be finishing in time for the contest. I'll try to finish this up to 1532 as planned, but it may be a week or two.

- Sheridan