The War of the Three Kingdoms - Game Thread (Turn Two)

[DKrol]

The War of the Three Kingdoms

The Cast

On the British Isles
Royalist England Led by King Charles of Stuart (Dereich)
Parliamentary England Led by Robert Devereaux, 3rd Earl of Essex (TimTurner)
Royalist Scotland Led by James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose (Garlan Gunter)
Parliamentary Scotland Led by Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll (Henry Wallace)
Confederation Ireland Led by Richard Butler, 3rd Viscount Mountgarret (GoTFan)
Royalist Ireland Led by James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormond (ChairmanSanchez)

On the Continent
Kingdom of France Led by King Louis XIII of Bourbon (Windjammer)
Kingdom of Sweden Led by Queen Christina of Vasa (NewTennesseePolitician)
Kingdom of Denmark-Norway Led by King Christian IV of Oldenburg (Kingpoleon)
Holy Roman Empire Led by Emperor Ferdinand III of Habsburg (Louisville Thunder)
Kingdoms of Spain and Portugal Led by King Philip IV of Habsburg (YPestis)
Dutch Republic Led by Stadtholder Frederick Henry of Orange (Lumine)

[DKrol]

TURN ONE: LATE 1642


Colour Key:
Red: Royalist England
Yellow: Parliamentary England
Light Purple: Royalist Scotland
Pale Purple: Parliamentary Scotland
Green: Confederate Ireland
Maroon: France
Pink: Spain and Portugal
Sharp Baby Blue: Sweden
Baby Blue: The Dutch Republic
Dark Purple: The Holy Roman Empire
Orange: Various Catholic Italian States

The State of the Various Armies

Note: A cavalry regiment is composed of 300-400 men, while an infantry regiment has about 1,000 men, and a dragoon regiment numbers between 100 and 200 men. These numbers are based on Maurice Ashley’s account in The English Civil War.

Remember that these are not professionally trained soldiers at this point in time, they’re largely peasants and the sons of landed gentry commanded by nobility. Total troop numbers will rise and fall as military successes or failures come; victories will lead to rises in recruitment, failures will lead to desertions.

Please feel free to divide and arrange your forces as you see fit.

Royalist England
Army of Charles I - 13,500 Total Men, Currently near Nottingham
-- 8 Cavalry Regiments
-- 15 Infantry Regiments
-- 1 Dragoon Regiment


Parliamentary England
Army of Essex - 15,000 Total Men, Currently near London
-- 6 Cavalry Regiments
-- 19 Infantry Regiments
-- 5 Dragoon Regiments


Royalist Scotland
Army of Montrose - 11,000 Total Men, Currently near Oban
-- 2 Cavalry Regiments
-- 10 Infantry Regiments
-- 2 Dragoon Regiments


Parliamentary Scotland
Army of Argyll - 10,000 Total Men, Currently near Edinburgh
-- 3 Cavalry Regiments
-- 8 Infantry Regiments
-- 2 Dragoon Regiments


Confederation Ireland
Army of Ireland - 15,000 Total Men, Currently near Dublin
-- 6 Cavalry Regiments
-- 20 Infantry Regiments
-- 3 Dragoon Regiments


Kingdom of France
Army of Henri, Prince of Conde - 60,000 Total Men, Currently near Dunkirk
-- 17 Cavalry Regiments
-- 50 Infantry Regiments
-- 15 Dragoon Regiments

Army of Antoine, Duke of Gramont - 60,000 Total Men, Currently near Toulouse
-- 17 Cavalry Regiments
-- 50 Infantry Regiments
-- 15 Dragoon Regiments


Kingdom of Sweden
Army of Sweden - 70,000 Total Men, Currently near Leipzig
-- 24 Cavalry Regiments
-- 55 Infantry Regiments
-- 18 Dragoon Regiments


Holy Roman Empire
Army of Austria – 50,000 Total Men, Currently near Leipzig
-- 16 Cavalry Regiments
-- 42 Infantry Regiments
-- 10 Dragoon Regiments

Army of Bavaria – 50,000 Total Men, Currently in Bavaria
-- 16 Cavalry Regiments
-- 42 Infantry Regiments
-- 10 Dragoon Regiments

Army of Saxony – 50,000 Total Men, Currently in Saxony
-- 16 Cavalry Regiments
-- 42 Infantry Regiments
-- 10 Dragoon Regiments


Kingdoms of Spain and Portugal
Army of the Spanish Netherlands - 65,000 Total Men, Currently near Dunkirk
-- 15 Cavalry Regiments
-- 55 Infantry Regiments
-- 12 Dragoon Regiments

Army of Spain – 65,00 Total Men, Currently near Barcelona
-- 15 Cavalry Regiments
-- 55 Infantry Regiments
-- 12 Dragoon Regiments


Dutch Republic
The Dutch States Army - 80,000 Total Men, Currently near Middelburg
-- 15 Cavalry Regiments
-- 75 Infantry Regiments
-- 10 Dragoon Regiments

[DKrol]

Personal Player Crises

King Charles I
-Popularity: Mild (Resented by many for harsh taxes and fights with Parliament)
-Economy: Mild (Been forced to sell of many of your personal holdings with a weak return)
-Legitimacy: Good (Recognized by most as King, though some question the need for a King)

Good evening, Your Majesty,

-- The realm stands divided. You’ve just raised your Royal Standard from Nottingham Castle, signaling an open conflict with the armies led by Parliament. How will you advance at this critical junction?
-- Your marriage to the French Catholic Henrietta Maria caused quite a controversy among your many Protestant subjects. At this time she is in the Dutch Republic with the Crown Jewels. How will you address calls for you to divorce your wife and re-marry to a Protestant?

Robert Devereaux, 3rd Earl of Essex
-Popularity: Mild (Resented by many leading a revolt against the King)
-Economy: Good (Strong personal wealth, as well as taxing support from Parliament)
-Legitimacy: Excellent (Undisputed Commander of the Parliamentary forces)

Good evening, Sir,

-- The realm stands divided. You’ve been chosen to lead the Parliamentary Army against the King but have been given little instruction otherwise. Will you pursue the King himself or settle to win over the people? Is your goal to capture the King and force him to stand trial or to force him to negotiate with Parliament?

James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose
-Popularity: Good (Fond memories of service during the Bishop’s War, some confused over switch to Royalist cause)
-Economy: Good (Strong personal wealth)
-Legitimacy: Excellent (Undisputed Royal Governor of Scotland)

Good evening, Sir,

-- Scotland is largely divided, perhaps more hotly than England and Wales. You’ve found support from the clans of the Highlands but many outside of the Highlands, and even the powerful Campbell clan, have been swayed to the Covenanters cause. Will you be able to unite Scotland under the Royal Standard?
-- Your King sits, possibly about to be besieged, in Nottingham. Some in your forces have called on you to leave Scotland and lead your army South, into England, to secure King Charles. Others have stressed that leaving Scotland undefended would be disastrous. What will you do?

Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll
-Popularity: Excellent (Fond memories of service during the Bishop’s War)
-Economy: Good (Strong personal wealth)
-Legitimacy: Excellent (Undisputed Commander of the Scottish Parliamentary forces)

Good evening, Sir,

-- Scotland is largely divided, perhaps more hotly than England and Wales. You’ve found support from the powerful Campbell clan but many of the traditional clans of the Highlands prefer the security they find in King Charles. Will you be able to unite Scotland for the Parliamentary cause? Some are even calling on you to proclaim yourself King of Scotland. Will you head their call?
-- Some in your forces have called on you to leave Scotland and lead your army South, into England, to open up a Northern Theatre against the Royalists, freeing up the Army of Essex in London. Others have stressed that leaving Scotland undefended would be disastrous. What will you do?

Richard Butler, 3rd Viscount Mountgarret
-Popularity: Good (Distrusted by Irish Protestants)
-Economy: Good (Support of the Irish Confederation)
-Legitimacy: Excellent (Undisputed President of the Supreme Council)

Good evening, Sir,

-- Ireland is in a particularly difficult place at this moment. The Confederation Government has largely been supportive of King Charles in the past, but now that he’s raised the Royal Standard in Nottingham, will this still be the case?
-- Some have called on you, regardless of the side you choose in the fight, to send your forces to the mainland in support of either the King of Parliament. Others have said the best use of your men would be to lead them to Scotland to aid the troops there. What will you do?

King Louis XIII
-Popularity: Good (Distrusted by Huguenots)
-Economy: Mild (Costs of several years of war are beginning to have a negative effect)
-Legitimacy: Excellent (No serious rival claimants exist)

Good Evening, Your Grace,

-- For nearly thirty years, Europe has been at war. Some around you believe that now is the time to pursue peace and bring an end to the bloodshed. Others, including Cardinal Richelieu, argue that the best chance for France to finally defeat the Habsburgs is at hand. What course will you follow?
-- The English King, Charles I, has been forced into an open conflict with his Parliament over his refusal to convene the body for several years. While a great majority in your kingdom stand wholly with you and your right to rule, some have begun to whisper of a rule of the people in France. How will you address these concerns?

Queen Christina
-Popularity: Mild (Distrusted by many for harboring Catholic sentiments in a Protestant country)
-Economy: Mild (Costs of several years of war are beginning to have a negative effect)
-Legitimacy: Mild (Some never trust a Queen Regnant, and you’ve only just begun to rule on your own)

Good Evening, Your Majesty,

-- A young girl of 16, you have just dismissed the regency of Chancellor Oxenstierna and begun to rule for yourself. You’ve long been a patron of the arts and humanities, but now you’ve been forced to take up the burden of governing. Will you continue your father’s war on behalf of the Protestant forces or will you, as some gossip, renounce the Protestant Church and take up the Catholic cause?
-- Many around you are begging you to wed a suitable Protestant Prince. They argue that it is the only way for you to secure your line and preserve the best interests of the realm. Will you listen to your advisers and begin the marriage process?

Emperor Ferdinand III
-Popularity: Mild (Protestant German Princes continue to grumble about the yolk of Catholicism)
-Economy: Mild (Costs of several years of war are beginning to have a negative effect)
-Legitimacy: Excellent (Undisputed King of the Romans, son of the previous King of the Romans)

Good Evening, Your Imperial Majesty,

-- Your soldiers have suffered a series of harsh losses in the war in Europe, leading some of your advisers to call on you to sue for peace. Others believe that giving up now would make the losses suffered by your subject meaningless and, possibly, lead to a revolution. How will you chart the course of the war?
-- For years there have been calls from German Princes to allow them to practice their Protestant faith freely. So far, you and your father have suppressed those calls and maintained the official religion of the realm as Catholicism. With the war prospects looking sour, some of these Princes have gathered together to discuss lifting their swords for the cause of religious freedom. How do you respond?

King Philip IV
-Popularity: Mild (Some Portuguese distrust the Spanish King, great uncertainty in Catalonia and Castile)
-Economy: Good (Costs of several years of war are off-set by New World gold and silver)
-Legitimacy: Good (Disputed as King of Portugal)

Good Evening, Your Majesty,

-- The French are now knocking on the door of your realm, in Catalonia and Castile. Those two regions have never been very loyal to you and have caused you many headaches during your reign. How will you respond as the French forces approach the European border of your realm?
-- Your soldiers have suffered several losses in the Spanish Netherlands at the hands of the Franco-Dutch Alliance. Will you continue the fight for the Low Countries or will you acknowledge the demands of the Dutch rebels? What of your colonies in the New World: Will you continue to explore the wide open continent and stake new claims for the Spanish crown or will you focus on settling what lands you currently hold?

Stadtholder Frederick Henry
-Popularity: Good (The Dutch have not forgotten your early successes against the Spanish)
-Economy: Excellent (The Dutch Golden Age is in full swing)
-Legitimacy: Good (Earlier squabbles with the illegitimate children of Maurice has largely faded away)

Good Evening, Your Majesty,

-- For nearly 80 years, your people have fought off Spanish and Habsburg rulers. Now, your moment seems to be at hand. You’ve won major victories at Breda and Schenkenschans but also suffered losses at Kallo and Hulst. How will you continue the conflict?
-- The English King Charles I has always been a friend to the Dutch people and the Dutch cause for independence. Now he is facing a terrible revolt at his home, with some in Parliament calling for his head. Some of your advisers have called on you, as one of the wealthiest men in Europe, to lend Charles aid, while others have advised you to remain focused on the Dutch Republic. Which course will you follow?

[Huey Long is a Republican]

Queen Kristina Vasa of Sweden denounces Catholics

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[Huey Long is a Republican]

Queen Kristina Vasa and Prince-Elector of Brandenburg-Prussia to marry

Today, the Queen of Sweden and Prince-Elector of Brandenburg-Prussia have agreed to marry. Such a marriage might as well challenge the balance of Power in Europe and specifically in the war that is currently happening. If such a couple has an heir, it's doubtful that the biggest target of the two, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth may survive.

[GoTfan]

A Proclomation of the Independent Confederate Republic of ireland

People of Ireland, long have we suffered under the yoke of our foreign oppressors, who would seek to impose their rule, their will, upon the people of this land! We are not serfs to be exploited by foreign powers! We owe our allegiance to none but each other! To Ireland!

To this end, the Supreme Council hereby declares the independent nation of the Confederate Republic of Ireland!

To the people of this nation, we ask you to rise up and cast off the shackles of oppression. Catholic or Protestant, we are all Irish. Our religion is being used to keep us oppressed by our English masters. We are an Ireland ruled by the Irish!

Rise up people of Ireland! Your country's birth is at hand!

[Garlan Gunter]

Irishmen and true subjects, of whatever rite!

I know many of your hearts will never be false to your King. Any of you disgusted by Lord Mountgarret's treachery - whether old nobility of the realm with no truck with radicals, Irish warriors true to your given word - will find a welcome reception at my camp in Oban. And when this war is done we shall see about a good settlement, the Graces long promised for good Catholic subjects, along with the security owed to loyal Protestants.

For God and King Charles!

MONTROSE

[windjammer]

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xLouisXIII

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

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xLouisXIII

X Ferdinand III

[Lumine]

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xLouisXIII

X Ferdinand III

x Frederick Henry, Stadtholder

[YPestis25]

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xLouisXIII

X Ferdinand III

x Frederick Henry, Stadtholder

Court of King Phillip IV

It should shock good Catholics everywhere that not only France, but even our earstwhile ally in Emperor Ferdinand have abandoned us in favor of Dutch heretics. It is a shameful display that even when offered peace terms the French refused, only driven by their own territorial greed. His Majesty has this to communicate: There will be no unjust peace. Spain will have peace with honor or no peace at all.

[Huey Long is a Republican]

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If possible the Kingdom of Sweden would see fit to join this treaty with an article of our own

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x Kristina Vasa, Queen of Sweden.

I hope that from these terms, Europe will have many years of peace in the future.

[Lumine]

Dutch Republic, Late 1642:

1. Treaty of Vienna:

His Highness the Stadtholder is optimistic in the news of the negotiation and signing of the Treaty of Vienna. For years a bloody war of religion has led to untold devastation across Europe, to deep division, to constant strife, to brother fighting brother, and prosperous nations being ruined through debt, pillaging and disease. There could never be peace without proper compromise, and in an act of reason the Kingdom of France, the Holy Roman Emperor and the Dutch Republic have put aside their differences to end strife between themselves. To this treaty we commit in honesty, and express our hope it may be a lasting one.

A particularly welcome development is the long awaited full and formal recognition of our rightful independence, which the Stadtholder will defend to his dying breath. Despite our many differences, even the Emperor recognizes the Dutch Republic as an entity, and we hope any European princes or nations yet to recognize our nation will do so in the coming months, earning thus our gratitude and friendship.

2. The War:

We find the latest statement from the Spanish King fascinating on account of His Majesty giving away his position so openly, and ask the courts of Europe to consider his words carefully.

He talks of supposed peace offers to others, but none whatsoever was directed towards this nation which this stubborn King refuses to recognize as sovereign and independent. Far from peace with honor, the Spanish King appears to desire permanent war towards this great nation, a nation which he and his predecessors have refused to recognize despite our seventy year struggle to rid ourselves of Spanish tyranny and oppression. Catholics and Protestants alike should see clearly that the unwillingness of Spain tolerate the existence of the Dutch Republic is an honest obstacle to true peace in Europe, and that their own ambitions towards the Netherlands are based on the "territorial greed" he claims to denounce. Otherwise he might not be so bold as to inflict insult and offense on his kin the Emperor Ferdinand, and on King Louis XIII.

Philip IV is right in one aspect, there will be no unjust peace which sees the Dutch Republic enslaved again and subject to misrule and terror. This, we swear.

3. On Humanitarian Concerns:

The tales we hear from Germany and other places in Europe affected by war continue to surprise, shock and inflict sadness upon the Stadtholder. As a beacon of religious tolerance, knowledge and liberty, the Dutch Republic will offer sanctuary and refuge to Protestants of different faiths suffering from persecution, violence and death. We will also continue to offer regulated, fair sanctuary to the Jews of Europe in open cities such as Amsterdam. While for obvious reasons such refugees will not have some of the rights reserved to the citizens of the Dutch Republic, we believe they can find a better, prosperous life within our nation while working hard, respecting the rule of law, and aiding us in our task to secure both our permanent independence, the prosperity of our trade, and the glory of the Netherlands.

4. On Matters of Culture:

Even as we struggle in our quest for freedom against the might of an Empire, there is always time to acknowledge the benefits of culture, from improving the learning conditions of our citizens to promoting and supporting the creation of art. His Excellency the Stadtholder considers himself a friend and patron of the arts still, and encourages skilled artists, learned men and scientists to consider visiting  the Dutch Republic. Yearly contests for the Arts and Sciences will be organized by the Stadtholder - for nationals and foreigners as well - to reward artistic achievements and scientific discoveries, and we shall encourage the different regions and cities of the Dutch Republic to undertake similar contests so achievement is rewarded.

[YPestis25]

The Court of King Phillip IV

It does appear that Fredrick Henry is either lying or have been lied to, and His Majesty's Court will not tolerate its name being besmirched. King Phillip offered gracious terms to his colleague in Paris. Terms which would recognize the Dutch Republic's independence. And what was the French response? Nothing. They simply preferred for the war to continue. If Stadtholder Henry wishes for this war to continue, so be it, but he should at least be honest in his intentions.

[Lumine]

From the Stadtholder:

And yet it would seem His Majesty Philip IV has no qualms on offending his fellow monarchs in France and the Empire and the Stadtholder himself, accusing others of what he himself may be guilty of, such as territorial greed towards the Netherlands. Such unbecoming manners for a monarch, and another offense to the long list of insults inflicted on our people by our would-be opressors.

What the Stadtholder knows in his heart and for all to proclaim is that his nation is yet to be recognized by Spain, and that he has not been approached for peace. As to other tales, we would note that the Dutch Republic long ago learned to have a healthy dose of skepticism when it comes to such (as of now) unconfirmed stories.

[F. Joe Haydn]

Official Declaration by Archibald Campbell

The people of Scotland shall not have Anglicanism forced upon them by the English. We Scotchmen are proud Presbyterians, and the yoke of England must be thrown off. Charles has shown himself to be a tyrannical and ineffective King of Scotland who does not understand our religious practices and our way of life. After becoming the Royal House of England, the House of Stuart has abandoned its Scottish roots. The Scotch must rule themselves, and not succumb to foreign rule from England. Therefore, I hereby declare myself King of Scotland. From now on, Charles shall have no authority in the Kingdom of Scotland.

[Garlan Gunter]

A fine and fair welcome to ‘King Archibald’ of ‘the Scotch’, so late and total a convert to the Divine Right of Kings that he crowns himself without consulting parliament or Kirk! He shall doubtless receive a fierce warm welcome from his nobility, notably the Marquess of Hamilton whose house is next in the blood royal by right after that of Stuart! I look heartily forward to the bloody dance of this upcoming coronation.

Avowed by the Lieutenant to the only lawful monarch, King Charles,

MONTROSE

[Lumine]

Of Marriage:

The Prince of Orange and Stadtholder Frederick Henry is pleased to announce that since his eldest daughter Louise Henriette van Nassau is to reach the age of fifteen this December, the issue of her potential marriage is to be carefully considered by the Stadtholder, and open to request from potential suitors. The pride of her father, Louise Henriette is known both for his considerable kindness and gentle nature, and for her considerable intellect, and the Stadtholder trusts a marriage may be arranged to the benefit of his daughter, the House of Orange, and the Dutch Republic.

[DKrol]

End of Turn Political Update: Turn One

Marriage Unites Sweden and Brandenburg-Prussia

Despite facing questions over the validity of her Protestant faith, Queen Christina of Sweden rejected the opportunity to let her supposed true colours shine. In the final days of September, the Swedish Queen announced her intention to wed the devoutly Calvinist German Prince-Elector of Brandenburg-Prussia, Frederick William. A Protestant service was conduct in November by the Archbishop of Uppsala, Laurentius Paulinus Gothus, in Stockholm. The marriage was welcomed by Swedish Protestants, glad to see the Queen make a definitive statement in favour of Protestantism and, hopefully, produce a Protestant heir to the throne, and by Frederick William?s subjects in Germany, confident that the marriage will secure Brandenburg-Prussia a seat at the table in European affairs. The terms of the marriage, however, have not been worked out, leading some Swedes to worry that Frederick William will assume control of the monarchy. It also seems that the Queen?s efforts to add a Swedish clause to the Treaty of Vienna have fallen on deaf ears, as no response has been sent from other European courts.

Treaty of Vienna Ends Most War in Europe as Stadtholder Massively Expands Power

Church bells rang out in joy across large swathes of Europe in December as the news of the Treaty of Vienna was heralded. Signed by King Louis XIII of France, Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand III, and Dutch Stadtholder Frederick William, the treaty ended the long-standing war between the three states and secured French and Imperial recognition of the Dutch Republic, a massive blow to Spanish efforts after nearly 80 years of trying to quell the Dutch activists. The move was received well in Austria and in Amsterdam, but received mixed reviews in Paris, with some of King Louis XIII advisors arguing that victory was within reach and would have enabled the French to crush their continental Catholic rivals once and for all. With the death of Chief Minister Cardinal Richelieu weeks after the treaty was signed, however, those grumblings have largely faded away.

Personal support for the Stadtholder and the House of Orange in the Dutch Republic has skyrocketed after a series of cunning political moves greatly expanded the reach of the state. First, he secured the purchase of the County of East Frisia from Count Ulrich II, who had only reluctantly become Count and still preferred a night on the town rather than a governing. While well received in Amsterdam, locals in East Frisia have raised alarms over the potential for an end to religious toleration that led many Dutch Calvinists to flee to East Frisia at the end of the 16th Century. Ulrich himself has left East Frisia to take up life as a courtier in Amsterdam. Second, the Stadtholder bought New Sweden in North America from Sweden and secured the swap of Dutch Formosa for New France. Third, while ending Dutch attempts to govern Brazil, the Dutch West India Company has begun a series of campaigns in the Carribean to offset the loss of revenue.

Now with the largest North American colonies, the Dutch Republic has dramatically increased its influence across the Atlantic while somewhat willingly taking on a reduced role in the Pacfic. A move by the Stadtholder to expand Dutch trade in Japan, however, was rebuked, with Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu warry of any increase in foreign presence in Japan. An effort to seize the Philippines from the Spanish was also repulsed, leaving the Dutch East India Company embarrased and on shaky legs.

Ireland, Scotland Declare Independence as Scots Royalists Build Alliances

Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll, took the bold step of moving from head of the Parliamentarians in Scotland to declaring himself the new King of Scots. Citing concerns over the Church of England, Archibald, pulling on Clan Campbell?s historic stature in Scotland, called on all loyal Scotsmen to raise arms against the Scots-turned-English Stuarts and crown him as the King of a new, independent Scotland. While not met with universal acclaim, several noblemen took up his cause, including James Hamilton, 1st Marquess of Hamilton, and Alexander Leslie, 1st Earl of Leven.

While Campbell was crowned King of Scots in a ceremony at Castle Campbell, James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose was celebrating two weddings in his family. His elder son John Graham wed Jean Gordon, daughter of Lewis Gordon, 3rd Marquess of Huntly, while his younger son, James Graham the Younger, married Anne MacDonnell, sister of Alexander MacDonnell, 3rd Earl of Antrim. These two weddings served to end the Montrose-Gordon feud from the Bishops? War and to unite the Scots Royalists with the Irish Royalists. The infusion of support from Scotland for the Irish Royalists came at a critical juncture, as Richard Butler, 3rd Viscount Mountgarret declared independence for the Irish Confederation.

As with the declaration of Scots independence, the proclaiming of an independent Ireland was not universally welcomed, with some, especially those loyal to the Earl of Antrim, taking up arms and occupying government buildings. But the Irish people were generally more supportive of independence than their Scottish brothers, with many Catholic nobles, previously worried about reprisal from the King in London, throwing their support behind the Confederation?s proclamation with a weakened, and possibly over-thrown, King in Oxford. Roughly two-thirds of Ireland is under the firm control of the independent Confederation, with the remaining third only loosely loyal to the English Royalist cause.

King Charles Summons Parliament ? In Oxford

With most of the Long Parliament leading a rebellion against him in London, King Charles I summoned all loyal MPs and Peers to join him in Oxford, where he fled to after raising his banner in Nottingham. 82 Peers, about two-thirds of the House of Lords, and 175 MPs, about one-third of the House of Commons, headed the King?s call and took up session in Christ Church Hall, Oxford. The King?s first action was to call by-elections for all constituencies whose MPs had chosen to remain in London. Although a long, slow, and dangerous process, with two Royalist MPs being killed on their way to Oxford, by the end of December 1642 a roughly full Parliament was assembled in Oxford.

With 510 MPs, and 95 Peers, Charles convened the Oxford Parliament to raise taxes and command the Royalist Army. It is worth noting that Parliament is split on the issue of the Civil War: 340 MPs support suing for peace with London, while the remaining 170 desires to declare all London MPs to be traitors and have them executed. Sir Sampson Eure was elected Speaker of the Parliament.

Spanish Independence Movements Spark Unrest

As with the Scottish and the Irish, the many different ethnic regions of the Kingdom of Spain raised their own arms in rebellion against the Habsburg Spanish crown. In Andalusia, Gaspar Alfonso Perez de Guzman, 9th Duke of Medina Sidonia, raised a small army of 1,000 able-bodied men and attempted to seize the Alcazar of Seville. While Guzman was not successful in taking the Alcazar, he was able to retreat with his army to his home in Sanlucar de Barrameda and live to fight another day while his loyal men continued to agitate the Andalusian people into rebellion. Rumours of a similar planned coup in Aragon with Rodrigo de Silva Mendoza y Sarmiento, Duke of Hijar reached the Spanish Court but failed to matriculate, with the Duke of Hijar placing himself under house arrest and sequestration.

While Guzman was laying siege to the Alcazar, the government in Madrid was thrown into chaos. Prime Minister Gaspar de Guzman, Count-Duke of Olivares, was attacked as he was leaving the Royal Palace and sustained a large gash across his chest. The perpetrator of the attack was captured by authorities and interrogated for several hours, revealing that he had been hired by John, the Duke of Braganza, and his wife to kill the Prime Minister and allow the Portuguese to rebel. While the attack on the Count-Duke failed, the Duke of Braganza still raised an army of 6,000 near his estate in Vila Vicosa and declared Portuguese independence, declaring himself King Joao IV. With the Count-Duke not dead, the government in Madrid responded quickly to the rebellion and sent a sizable garrison to Portugal to quell it. This forced Joao IV to flee Portugal via ship, with none quite sure where he, his family, and his supporters set sail for.

[DKrol]

End of Turn Military Update: Turn One

Summary: The Thirty Years War has nearly ended across the Continent, with a new peace taking hold in the Holy Roman Empire, the Dutch Republic, and France, leaving Spain the only Catholic power at war. While England, Scotland, and Ireland find themselves locked in a game of political minesweeper, the Civil War has largely remained bloodless to this point, although this is sure to change in the coming months.

In England:

Battle of Bristol, Cornwall Campaign – Decisive Royalist Victory

Facing little opposition from Parliamentary forces ((because no orders from the Parliamentarians were received this turn)), the Royalist Army swept through Bristol and hoisted the Royal Standard from Bristol Castle after suffering only nominal losses. The capture of the lucrative port of the Royalist cause was huge in aiding the Oxford Parliament in raising taxes to fund the war. Having captured Bristol with ease, the campaign continued into Cornwall. The Royalist Army again faced little opposition on the campaign and forced what few Parliamentarians there were back until they reached Redruth, where the Parliamentary forces coalesced and forced a halt to the Cornwall Campaign.

In Scotland:

Battle of Castle Campbell: – Stalemate

The Scots Royalists, under the leadership of Montrose himself, gathered their forces, reinforced by Montrose’s political marriages and support from Sweden, at Castle Campbell in an effort to root out the Scottish Independence campaign at its source. Archibald Campbell, however, had closed the castle gates and achieved a strong, defensive formation around the castle. Despite being outnumbered, the positioning of Castle Campbell allowed the Scottish Independence Army to repel the attack and force the Scots Royalist Army to retreat to Kilsyth.

In Europe:

Battle of Charleroi, Siege of Brussels: – Major Dutch Victory

As Stadtholder Frederick Henry led a Dutch Army of 70,000 men through the Spanish Netherlands to Charleroi, the Army of the Spanish Netherlands was heading South, towards France, essentially leaving the city undefended. After a brief skirmish with the local garrison, the Dutch claimed victory and raised the Dutch Republic’s flag.

With a victory in Charleroi, the Stadtholder turned his Army North and marched on Brussels. Facing no resistance from the Army of the Spanish Netherlands, as they were in France, the Dutch Army reached Brussels with ease but found more resistance there. Brussels was strongly defended, with walls, moats, bastions, and other defensive measures built up over the years. Unable to break the defences of Brussels with ease, the Stadtholder withdrew back to Charleroi to establish a Dutch base there.

Battle of Dunkirk: – Slight Spanish Victory

The Army of the Spanish Netherlands and the Army of Henri, Prince of Conde charged, full force, into each other as the Spanish were marching South to cut off any French effort to link up with the Dutch and the French were marching North to invade the Spanish Netherlands. Locked in a bloody battle near Dunkirk, the fighting lasted several hours as the two nearly evenly matched forced struggled for control. It was the long military pedigree of the Spanish Commander, Ottavio Piccolomini, that won the battle for the Spanish. Despite losing Charleroi, and therefore access to the rest of the Spanish Netherlands, the Spanish were able to capture Dunkirk and create a buffer between the French and the Dutch forces and force Henri to retreat to Amiens.

Battle of the Pyrenees: – Stalemate

Under the command of King Philip IV himself, the Army of Spain set up camp on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees and attempted to draw the French forces on the other side into combat. The French, however, had received strict orders to guard the border and assume a defensive position, to protect from an invasion. Spanish efforts to draw the French into the mountain passes failed and no troops were lost on either side.

Portuguese Campaign: – Decisive Spanish Victory

Having raised an army of 8,000 to quell the Portuguese rebellion after the Braganza affair was unveiled, the Spanish forces poured into Portugal with a speed the Portuguese rebels had not anticipated. The rebel army of 6,000 attempted to make a stand at Vila Vicosa but the Spanish force was much better prepared than they were able to handle and quickly began to crumble. The Duke of Braganza took a small retinue of men and his wife with him and made a mad dash for the sea, boarding a waiting ship in Sines and fleeing to the sea with the Spanish Army at their heels.

In the New World:

Battle of the Antilles: – Dutch Victory

With the Spanish forces focusing mostly on their Asian holdings, the Dutch West India Company was able to seize most of the sugar-rich Antilles with ease. They did encounter significant resistance from the native populations upon their arrival, however, stopping this from being an unmitigated success.

In Asia:

Battle of the Philippines: – Decisive Spanish Victory

The transfer of Formosa to the French left the Dutch VOC without a base in Asia. Looking to force the Spanish out of the region, the VOC attempted to seize the Philippines for the Dutch Republic. Dutch efforts to force a revolt among the native populations failed and the Spanish were able to focus their defences on repelling the Dutch. A naval battle in Manilla Bay ended with the Spanish repelling the VOC, badly injured, and forcing the Dutch to claim Palawan Island as their only holding in the Philippines.

[DKrol]

TURN TWO: Early 1643

MAP OF EUROPE


MAP OF THE WORLD



The State of the Various Armies

Royalist England
Army of Charles I - 13,300 Total Men, Currently near Redruth
-- 8 Cavalry Regiments
-- 14 Infantry Regiments
-- 1 Dragoon Regiment


Parliamentary England
Army of Essex - 15,000 Total Men, Currently near London
-- 6 Cavalry Regiments
-- 19 Infantry Regiments
-- 5 Dragoon Regiments


Royalist Scotland
Army of Montrose - 11,000 Total Men, Currently near Kilsyth
-- 2 Cavalry Regiments
-- 10 Infantry Regiments
-- 2 Dragoon Regiments
Swedish Regiment – 1,500 Total Men, Currently near Wick
-- 1 Cavalry Regiment
-- 1 Infantry Regiment


Parliamentary Scotland
Army of Argyll - 10,000 Total Men, Currently at Castle Campbell
-- 3 Cavalry Regiments
-- 8 Infantry Regiments
-- 2 Dragoon Regiments


Confederation Ireland
Army of Ireland - 20,000 Total Men, Currently near Dublin
-- 6 Cavalry Regiments
-- 20 Infantry Regiments
-- 3 Dragoon Regiments

Royalist Ireland
Royalist Army of Ireland - 15,000 Total Men, Currently near Ulster
-- 10 Cavalry Regiments
-- 11 Infantry Regiments
-- 5 Dragoon Regiments


Kingdom of France
Army of Henri, Prince of Conde - 55,000 Total Men, Currently near Amiens
-- 15 Cavalry Regiments
-- 45 Infantry Regiments
-- 12 Dragoon Regiments
Army of Antoine, Duke of Gramont - 60,000 Total Men, Currently near Lourdes
-- 17 Cavalry Regiments
-- 50 Infantry Regiments
-- 15 Dragoon Regiments


Kingdom of Sweden
Army of Sweden - 70,000 Total Men, Currently near Berlin
-- 24 Cavalry Regiments
-- 55 Infantry Regiments
-- 18 Dragoon Regiments
Army of Brandenburg-Prussia – 5,000 Total Men, Currently near Berlin
-- 2 Cavalry Regiments
-- 4 Infantry Regiments
-- 1 Dragoon Regiments

Kingdom of Denmark-Norway
Army of Denmark - 25,000 Total Men, Currently near Copenhagen
-- 14 Cavalry Regiments
-- 20 Infantry Regiments
-- 7 Dragoon Regiments
Army of Norway – 15,000 Total Men, Currently near Oslo
-- 4 Cavalry Regiments
-- 13 Infantry Regiments
-- 4 Dragoon Regiments


Holy Roman Empire
Army of Austria – 50,000 Total Men, Currently near Leipzig
-- 16 Cavalry Regiments
-- 42 Infantry Regiments
-- 10 Dragoon Regiments
Army of Bavaria – 50,000 Total Men, Currently in Bavaria
-- 16 Cavalry Regiments
-- 42 Infantry Regiments
-- 10 Dragoon Regiments
Army of Saxony – 50,000 Total Men, Currently in Saxony
-- 16 Cavalry Regiments
-- 42 Infantry Regiments
-- 10 Dragoon Regiments


Kingdoms of Spain and Portugal
Army of the Spanish Netherlands - 63,000 Total Men, Currently near Dunkirk
-- 14 Cavalry Regiments
-- 53 Infantry Regiments
-- 12 Dragoon Regiments
Army of Spain – 65,00 Total Men, Currently near Jaca
-- 15 Cavalry Regiments
-- 55 Infantry Regiments
-- 12 Dragoon Regiments
Portuguese Garrison – 8,000 Total Men, Currently near Sines
-- 3 Cavalry Regiments
-- 8 Infantry Regiments
-- 1 Dragoon Regiment


Dutch Republic
The Dutch States Army - 69,500 Total Men, Currently near Brussels
-- 14 Cavalry Regiments
-- 74 Infantry Regiments
-- 9 Dragoon Regiments
The Dutch American Army - 5,000 Total Men, Currently in Dutch North America
The Dutch Carribean Army - 5,000 Total Men, Currently on Hispanola

[DKrol]

Personal Player Crises

King Charles I
-Popularity: Mild
-Economy: Good (Capture of Bristol has boosted the economic outlook)
-Legitimacy: Good

Good evening, Your Majesty,

-- Your Parliament in Oxford stands ready to take up matters which you present to them. What will their legislative directive be? Will you use them to raise taxes, to summon more men for the Army, or to sue for peace with London? Or will you give them another task to deal with?
-- While your Cornish campaign was a great success, some around you wonder if resources would be better spent making a fast move towards London and taking the fight directly to the Parliamentarians. Other suggest it would be wise to win over the countryside first before moving on London. What will your course be?

Robert Devereaux, 3rd Earl of Essex
-Popularity: Mild
-Economy: Good
-Legitimacy: Excellent

Good evening, Sir,

-- Your forces remain in London, waiting for your command. Will you rush to retake Cornwall from the Royalists or will you march on Oxford and attempt to arrest the King? The question of the purpose of your rebellion still remains: are you to overthrow the monarchy or implement restrictions on royal power?

James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose
-Popularity: Good
-Economy: Good
-Legitimacy: Excellent

Good evening, Sir,

-- Archibald Campbell has declared himself the King of the Scots and set up his court at Castle Campbell. While many of the highland clans have sided with Campbell over the Stuart line, many common-folk and lower merchants remain loyal to King Charles. How will you pursue the war effort in Scotland?
-- Letters from England have arrived, with several key figures in the Oxford Parliament calling on you to abandon the Scottish campaign and secure King Charles’ position in England first. Many around you, however, see such an action as treason to your Scottish countrymen. What will you do?

Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll
-Popularity: Good (Questions have been raised over your Kingship)
-Economy: Good
-Legitimacy: Mild (Many do not see you as having a legitimate claim to Kingship)

Good evening, Your Majesty,

-- You have taken a bold step to declare yourself King of the Scots. What will you do now to win over the hearts and minds (and swords) of the Scottish people?
-- By declaring yourself monarch, you have alienated many of the Parliamentarians in London who had been supporting you. They have cut off your funding from London, leaving with only your personal wealth to run your new kingdom. How will you work this relationship with London and govern Scotland?

Richard Butler, 3rd Viscount Mountgarret
-Popularity: Good
-Economy: Good
-Legitimacy: Mild

Good evening, Sir,

-- Like Campbell in Scotland, you have declared independence for the Irish people. This idea has been better received in Ireland, with many angry about the poor treatment the Irish have received under English rule. Although you’ve gained control of Dublin and the key government buildings, there’s more to governing a country than sitting in a building. How will you go about governing this new state you’ve proclaimed?

James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormond
-Popularity: Good (Knowing the Irish language has won you enough popular support)
-Economy: Poor (Family wealth has not recovered from sequestration)
-Legitimacy: Excellent (Undisputed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland)

Good evening, Sir,

-- Your loyalty to King Charles has endeared you with the English nobility, but not with the local Irish people. With the declaration of the independence of the Irish Confederation, the Royalist forces and their supporters have largely converged in the northern third of the island. Will you attempt to lead a campaign to Dublin to secure the Stuart rule? Other have called on you to take your men and sail for England, to help King Charles directly. Will you head their call?

King Louis XIII
-Popularity: Excellent
-Economy: Mild
-Legitimacy: Excellent

Good Evening, Your Grace,

-- You have ended the war with the Holy Roman Empire. For that, you have won much respect from your people. The problem of the Spanish still remains, however. After the failed campaign into the Spanish Netherlands, how will you handle the Spanish colony to your north as well as the Spanish homeland to your south?
-- Letters have arrived at court calling on you to raise a force and send it to Ireland, to support the newly-proclaimed independent Irish Confederation and support a fellow Catholic nation. Will you do so?

Queen Christina
-Popularity: Good
-Economy: Mild
-Legitimacy: Mild

Good Evening, Your Majesty,

-- Your marriage to Frederick William has won you some support from your Protestant subjects. The terms of the marriage, however, are unclear. Determining the exact relationship between yourself, your husband, and your realms will be critical to ensuring stability in the region.
-- With the Treaty of Vienna creating peace between France and the Holy Roman Empire, you are left as one of the only great Protestant power left in the war. How will you press the issue? Will you seek a separate peace of Sweden or will you look elsewhere for allies to beat the Catholic Holy Roman Empire?

King Christian IV
-Popularity: Excellent (Your reign of more than 40 years is filled with fond memories)
-Economy: Mild (Several years of war have begun to take their toll)
-Legitimacy: Excellent (Undisputed King of Denmark-Norway)

Good Evening, Your Majesty,

-- Your nephew, Charles I of England, is facing a hearty rebellion in his realm. Will you offer him aid or will you keep your focus on the Continent? Further, what is your relationship with Sweden going to be in this new era, as Queen Christina looks to cement her legacy through her marriage?
-- With the Treaty of Vienna creating peace between France and the Holy Roman Empire, your rival Sweden has been left as the only great Protestant power left in the war. Will you ignore the Treaty of Lubeck and re-enter the war effort, or will you seek another route to have your voice heard in Europe?

Emperor Ferdinand III
-Popularity: Good (The people support the Treaty of Vienna)
-Economy: Mild
-Legitimacy: Excellent

Good Evening, Your Imperial Majesty,

-- You have secured a peace with France and the Dutch Republic, ending the two largest sources of the loss of Imperial life. War still remains, however, with Sweden and Denmark-Norway, and several German princes have begun grumbling over your lack of comment on the religious freedom issue. How will you proceed?
-- You have five children who could be betrothed. Will you use marriages for your children to secure alliances with the great Houses of Europe or will you wait for your children to reach a proper marrying age?

King Philip IV
-Popularity: Mild
-Economy: Good
-Legitimacy: Mild

Good Evening, Your Majesty,

-- You face two rebellions in your realm. First, the Duke of Braganza has stirred the pot of rebellion in Portugal before fleeing to the sea. The calls of independence still remain. Second, in Andalusia, the Duke of Duke of Medina Sidonia has raised an army against you and attempted to seize a palace. How will you respond to these uprisings?
-- Your loss of Charleroi and the Dutch assault on Brussels are embarrassing for you. Some of your advisers are calling on you to finally recognize the Dutch calls for independence and let the Spanish Netherlands go. Others demand you continue the fight for the honour and glory of Spain. What will you do?

Stadtholder Frederick Henry
-Popularity: Excellent (Massive expansion of Dutch colonial empire)
-Economy: Excellent
-Legitimacy: Excellent (Undisputed Stadtholder)


Good Evening, Your Majesty,

-- Congratulations on your victory at Charleroi and your siege of Brussels. How will you continue your campaign in the Spanish Netherlands? Will you look to use the marriage of your daughter to make allies?
-- The English King Charles I has always been a friend to the Dutch people and the Dutch cause for independence. Now he is facing a rebellion at his home, with some in Parliament calling for his head. Some of your advisers have called on you, as one of the wealthiest men in Europe, to lend Charles aid, while others have advised you to remain focused on the Dutch Republic. Which course will you follow?

[Huey Long is a Republican]

Queen Christina Vasa and Prince-Elector Frederick William of Brandenburg-Prussia announce the official terms of the Marriage

There are 3 official terms of the union between Sweden and Brandenburg-Prussia:

1. Unless there is no official heir, the Kingdom be joined in union with one another under the heir once the monarchs of both countries perish.

2. Any and all Military and Naval forces that both Brandenburg-Prussia and Sweden has shall be united into one unless the Union officially dissolves.

3. The Duchy of Brandenburg-Prussia is to act as the Junoir partner in the Union and will thus join in any wars we fight. However, if a war is Declared on Brandenburg-Prussia, then Sweden shall join the war immediately for the defense of Brandenburg-Prussia.

[Kingpoleon]

Denmark-Norway declares war on the Holy Roman Empire

“His Majesty, King Christian IV,  By the Grace of God, King of Denmark and Norway, the Wends and the Goths, Duke of Schleswig, Holstein, Stormarn and Dithmarschen, Count of Oldenburg and Delmenhorst! does hereby recognize the Austrian claim on the Crown of Bohemia as illegitimate. We do not recognize the Emperor as the rightful heir to the Crown of Bohemia.

“We do recognize, as a God-given right, that Protestant Princes and Electors should be allowed practice their religion as they see fit, as should Catholics, within an Empire that is not ruled from Vienna.

“For thirteen years, we have been at peace, and we have kept our people at peace. We have watched Germany been torn apart by war. We have seen the people and the princes of the Empire abused by the Emperor. This shall be no more.

“For those of you who say that perhaps we should remain at peace than risk war, we say that there were two choices. War at once or the victor of this war then turning their armies towards us. To that, we say there is but one choice. We must defend ourselves. We must defend the weaker nations against Vienna and all the great powers, not seek to gain land for ourselves.

“The Holy Roman Empire is not holy, nor Roman, nor an Empire. It is an earthly confederation of predominantly Germanic nations, each with its own sovereignty.  Yet to Vienna, it is a holy empire above all others, yet descended from the mighty - and pagan - Rome. To Vienna, it is a list of lands and vassals who are to bow to a foreign Austrian king.

“To the princes, We say: we will free you from the Emperor. To the people, We say: we guarantee that your land shall be only under two authorities: that of your prince and that of God - with no Austrian King in between. In the name of the princes of the Empire - in the name of Christian IV - in the name of the people of Germany - we declare war on the Kingdom of Austria.“

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Some unofficial observations from the periphery.

All sorts of weirdness here.

The union of Sweden-Brandenburg-Prussia is certain to make Poland nervous, but with Denmark-Norway pursuing war with the Empire, there is no obvious counterweight right now.  Perhaps the Sejm will increase the size of the Polish Army and Navy in case war breaks out.

Russia is also left without obvious alliances. S-B-P appears to be in for a period of severe Protestantism which would make it difficult to work with, so it will probably concentrate eastward, if it can.

If Ibrahim can be persuaded to pay attention to more than his harem, the Ottomans have two obvious places to focus their attention.  Crete and Circassia are the obvious choices depending upon whether the Ottomans consider it more important to cement control of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea or of the Euxine Sea.  Or perhaps whether Ibrahim can be persuaded to pursue war or diplomacy.  War is unlikely to generate anything of value in Circassia while Crete will definitely require war to take it away from the Kingdom of Candia. Historically, Ibrahim chose to play Candia Crush, but who knows how this game will go?

Urban VIII is probably still engaged in his costly war with Parma over Castro, so if trouble in Italy disturbs this game, it won't be coming from the Pope.