The Principality - A Neuchâtel AAR

[The Real Bob Ross]

The Principality - A Neuchâtel AAR

A Prussian king, a French people and Swiss partner, Neuchâtel is all these things and more.

Welcome to my humble little AAR for a humble little principality, fitted snugly between France and Lac de Neuchâtel. I’m using the Historical Flavor Mod because Vanilla doesn’t model Neuchâtel’s autonomous status in the Swiss Confederation. The AAR will be written as a history book accompanied by excerpts of speeches and letters. Each update will focus on 1-2 terms of the Conseil d'État (State Council, government of Neuchâtel), which covers 4-8 years depending.

My goals are simple, to direct Neuchâtel into independence and prosperity (if that means radical social changes, so be it). Snagging another province if the opportunity arises would not be upsetting. I’m going to roleplay as Neuchâtel, so no game-breaking tricks and tactics. Savescumming and selective cheating are exempted of course, this wouldn’t be much of an AAR if Neuchâtel’s freedoms were rudely taken away.


Now that’s all out of way, thanks for checking this AAR out and I hope you enjoy it!

Contents:
Preamble: A History of Neuchâtel​

 

[The Real Bob Ross]

Preamble: A History of Neuchâtel​

Chronica sancti Pantaleonis, 13th Century

Neuchâtel’s first recorded ruler, Rudolph III of Burgundy, mentioned it in his will in 1302. Childless, considered weak and idle, it was no surprise that his erstwhile Kingdom was subsumed into the Holy Roman Empire under Conrad II. Count Ulrich von Fenis used the demise of the Welfs to take over the town and territories of Neuchâtel in 1034. His dynasty prospered, and by 1375, all the lands now part of the principality belonged to the count. However, Isabelle de Neuchâtel’s failure to procreate before her death in 1395 resulted in the passing of Neuchâtel to her nephews, the lords of Frieburg. In 1458 the lands of Neuchâtel were inherited by the margraves of Sausenburg who belonged to the House of Baden.

Johanna von Hachberg-Sausenburg

In 1503, Johanna inherited the lands of Neuchâtel from her father, Philip of Hachberg. She married Louis I d’Orléans, duc de Longueville, who tradition dictated became co-ruler of Neuchâtel alongside Johanna. Louis I was an influential French aristocrat. His resume included worthy titles such Grand Chamberlain & Governor of Provence. Unsurprisingly, he was intensely pro-French. Neuchâtel’s Swiss allies were not amused, and occupied Neuchâtel in 1512. It was left to Johanna to negotiate with the Swiss Cantons to discontinue their occupation. Her position in the negotiations was much improved when she became widowed in 1516. The Swiss left Neuchâtel in 1529, and Johanna was able to continue her reign, until her death in 1543. The House of Orléans-Longueville would rule over Neuchâtel for the next two centuries.

Statue of Farel in Neuchâtel

William Farel (1489-1565) was a French evangelist and leading figure of the Reformation in Switzerland and France. He worked as a diocesan preacher in the Diocese of Meaux when he fell under the sway of Lutheran theology. He became an avid promoter and evangelized fervently in the Dauphiné. Farel fled to Switzerland after a backlash for his controversial criticism of the use of images in Christian worship. He spent time at Zurich and Strasbourg, working alongside other prominent reformists. Of interest was his establishment of Reformed Church in Neuchâtel in 1530. Even as the principality remained firmly under the rule of Catholic Frenchmen, the populace became increasingly Protestant. William Farel retired to Neuchâtel after a 6-year long stay in Geneva over disagreements with John Calvin on the Eucharist, where he died.

Frederick I, in coronation robes

On the 16th of June, 1707, Princess Marie d'Orléans of Neuchâtel passed away at the ripe old age of 82. Marie’s marriage with Henri II of Savoy failed to produce a child, thus her demise was the death knell of the House of Orléans-Longueville which had reigned over Neuchâtel since 1504. The townsfolk of Neuchâtel were quick to choose a successor, of which they were not short on. No less than 15 candidates presented themselves for the Principality. Louis XIV promoted a whole host of French pretenders, in an effort to keep Neuchâtel within the French kingdom. The Neuchâtelois wanted their new prince to be a committed Protestant, who was strong enough to protect their territory but preferably based far enough away to leave them to their own devices. In a final decision in 1708, the French were passed over in favour of King Frederick I of Prussia.

A Neuchâtel Battalion Voltigeur, Grenadier and Officer

The Prussian reign was disrupted when Napoleon Bonaparte deposed King Frederick William III as prince of Neuchâtel and appointed his chief of staff Louis Alexandre Berthier. Neuchâtel was back in French hands, and provided Napoleon’s Grande Armée with a battalion of rangers. They were nicknamed Canaris (canaries) for their bright-yellow uniform (see above) and served with honour until the end of the German campaign. The principality was restored to Frederick William II in 1814. He agreed to allow the principality to join the Swiss Confederation a year later. Neuchâtel became the first and only monarchy to join a confederation of Swiss Republics.

 

[J66185]

Hail to you and may you persevere in your endeavors!

 

[stnylan]

Welcome to the forums. Will follow.

 

[Shinkuro Yukinari]

Isn't Neuchatel destined to be integrated by the Swiss in most mods that feature it?

 

[The Real Bob Ross]

Hail to you and may you persevere in your endeavors!

Many thanks! I hope I succeed!

Welcome to the forums. Will follow.

Thanks for the welcome, and doubly thanks for your support.

Isn't Neuchatel destined to be integrated by the Dutch in most mods that feature it?

Firstly, thanks for checking this out. Secondly, not if there's anything historic about it. Neuchatel only became a part of the Swiss confederation after a revolution in 1848 abolished the principality. I assume the mod will model this, considering it bothers to include Neuchatel.

 

[Southernpride]

Very interesting I've been wondering if anyone was going to do a AAR or youtube play trough as one of the tiny City-States/Micro-nations but your the first person I've seen do ether.

 

[iain_a_wilson]

As somebody who did an Orange Free State AAR years ago, I've got a soft spot for micro-states. Following!

 

[gandalfium553]

Definetly following!

 

[Specialist290]

Well, this looks like it has an intriguing premise. Not very knowledgeable about the Swiss cantons, but I'm a sucker for an "underdog" Will be following.

 

[Telcharinogrod]

Is this gonna be a thing? It sounds like fun...