New History Game POLL

[DKrol]

After giving it more thought, I've narrowed down the options for a history game I'd like to run to these two options.

1. The Wars of the Roses

Beginning in March, 1454. Richard, Duke of York and cousin to King Henry VI, has been named Protector of the Realm and Regent of the Kingdom due to a bout of insanity suffered by the King. The Queen Consort, Margaret of Anjou, is furious with the decision. Richard Neville, Earl of Salisbury, and his son, the Earl of Warwick, stand by York's side, while Henry VI's greatest ally, Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset, has been imprisoned in the Tower and his loyal general Humphrey Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, is serving as Steward of England and trying to keep the peace. The tensions of the realm are at a boiling point and some believe war is on the horrizon between the white rose of York and the red rose of Lancaster.

Playable Characters at Start:
Richard, Duke of York
Margarety of Anjou, Queen Consort
Richard Neville, Earl of Salisbury
Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset
Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick
Humphrey Stafford, Duke of Buckingham

Potential Characters if There is Interest
Henry VI, King of England
Charles VII, King of France
Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy
James II, King of Scotland

2. Death of Good Queen Bess

Beginning in March, 1603. After 45 years of ruling as an English King, Elizabeth I has died. As her path to the throne was filled with marriages, divorces, deaths, murders, rebellions, and plots, so too is her path off the throne. No fewer than five claimants have emerged, presenting cases and lineages and rallying supporters. The clear frontrunner is James VI of Scotland, son of Mary, Queen of Scots, and great-grandson of King Henry VII of England. But William Stanley, Earl of Derby, is a great-great-grandson of Henry VII and making a claim to the throne under the Act of Succession 1543. Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland and one of the richest men in England, has also staked a claim to be King through his descent from Edmund Crouchback, a son of King Henry III. George Hastings, Earl of Huntingdon, a noble knight and Member of Parliament, has emerged as well, through a Yorkist claim to the throne centered on Henry VII being a usurper and illegitimate. With so many men fighting over a crown worn by a woman from the last half century, it is only fitting that a female claimant has emerged as well - Infanta Isabella of Spain, joint ruler of the Netherlands - through the descent of John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. Such chaos and disorder surely means whoever ends up ruling the realm will not be handed an easy task.

Playable Characters at Start:
James VI, King of Scotland
William Stanley, Earl of Derby
Henry Percy, Duke of Northumberland
George Hastings, Earl of Huntingdon
Isabella, Infanta of Spain

Potential Characters if There is Interest
Pope Clement VIII
Henry IV, King of France
Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor
Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone

[Alcibiades]

Wars of the Roses! Such an underrated period.

[Dereich]

I do not know enough about either to choose one way or another, so I voted other as a way to say "GM's choice" and will follow whatever you do with interest.

[Lumine]

Voted War of the Roses, will attempt to play either.

[Blair]

Voted for War of the Roses.

I only know a bit about this period of history but this would give me a very good chance to learn more about it; even if it's just watching it from the sidelines!

[Orwell]

I voted War of the Roses, would play either. I will have to research into the time period, and watch some of the Kings & Generals videos on the period.

[Garlan Gunter]

Tempted back by Roses . James VI game is interesting but I think maybe not quite right moment - it’s too difficult to imagine given real succession was so stably stitched up by Robert Cecil. Essex Rebellion with old unpopular queen would work well though I think!

[DKrol]

I think we'll be going with the Wars of the Roses game. I'll aim to get the sign up thread posted this weekend.

[Garlan Gunter]

I’d be interested in Somerset if you let me nab him this early!