BirdNES 3: When Worlds Collide

Update 6: 1516-1520: The Tipping Point​

Characters:
Nicholas Verner (born 1470) head of the House of Verner
Helene Verner, wife (born 1472)
Jean Claude Vauchamps, Helene’s brother (born 1480)
Verner Children: Pietro (b 1492), Jeanine (b 1495), Sarah (b 1497), Johann (b 1501)
Claire O’Rourke, sweetheart of Jean Claude, (b 1487)
Claire’s brothers: Ryan, Charles, & Sean (all sailors on English. Irish and Scottish ships)
Wu Kuan, former merchant of Ning-Po, Wokou pirate and now an established trader in the Spice Islands; (born 1470)
Wu Meiying, daughter of Wu Kuan (b 1490)
Herman Rabb, archivist to Maxmillian of Austria
Father Francis, Catholic priest living in Italy
Gulrukh "Face like a Rose", a Pashtun princess from a Muslim royal family of Balochistan

Land of the Michuan 1516
Hernando Cortez pondered his situation. He was far from any help that could come from New Spain and even further from any real help that would have to come from Europe. Two hundred men and two ships (neither in any condition to recross the ocean) were all he had. The bloody battles that marked his arrival had subsided into an uneasy peace marked by irregular, impromptu attacks by the natives to test his defenses and readiness. Water was available from the river and cisterns built into the city’s construction. Food was more difficult. They had been living off a diet of fish and hard corn from the cities granaries. Anything else they wanted could be purchased for metal items, even gold, measure for measure. These savages were smart and knew that his men were greedy for gold and far too many knives had been traded away. He hoped his men had not traded away their swords or armor. “Lost it” or “Buggers stole it” were the common responses when he asked his men about a lack of breastplate or helmet. The language barrier was coming down bit by bit as some of the locals picked up Spanish and a couple of his men began to bark in the native tongue. They learned it from women mostly who crept into the city looking for sex, but usually left with a metal pot, glass bottle or mirror. On some days he could see Chicomecoatl, King of these people, being carried in a litter through the camp of his army. It made him think back to what he first heard when they captured the city: “This was the land of the Michuan whose king ruled lands far up the river even into the mountains. Far across the warm green sea to the south lay the land of the jade warriors whose temples were higher than the sky.” Maybe, he continued to think, he should go there.

The Father’s Tale
From his vantage point in Bangka Island Wu Khan had a front row seat to the intrigues and public efforts of the great powers vying for control of the spice trade. In fact, he had his own role in those efforts and had grown rich. But alas money could not buy happiness. The loss of Meiying had caused him great pain and for it he blamed the Spanish. Word of the arrival of their fleet in the Indian Ocean had spread east quickly. Cannon fire from their ships gained them entry into any port they choose and interviews with the local lords. That is until they tried to bully Malacca’s Sultan Mahmud Shah. He was not intimidated and planned a careful attack when they demanded passage through his domain and restocking supplies from his stores. In spite of the now famous cannon carried by the 20 Spanish Carracks, the Sultan thought two to one odds and the narrow waters of the Straits gave him an edge. As the Spanish fleet entered the crowded waters just south of the small trading hamlet of Singapore, Mahmud Shah struck from many directions. Cannon fire took a heavy toll among the Malaccans and those unfortunate trading ships caught in the naval melee. But the high price was worth it. Four of the Spanish ships were boarded and captured as the Spanish fled back north to the safety of India. Their planned mission to China was certainly stopped short. Seventeen of the sultan’s ships were sunk outright and a dozen or more damaged. Among the neutral trading vessels caught up in the battle was one of his: Seas Delight was it apt name; its captain: Wu Meiying. Some who witnessed the battle said the ship had been “hove to” and trading with the Spanish flagship. When the attack came, everything “not Spanish” was a target and the Seas Delight was front and center. She was holed and sank early in the battle. The goods he could always replace, his daughter, never.

It was only after the Spanish withdrew to the west that the real squabbling began. The four captured ships were the true prizes along with their cannon. Secrecy was out of the question and try as he might to secure the ships and their contents, that too failed the Sultan. Enterprising Malaccans found ways to profit and half the cannon disappeared within a month. Wu Kuan knew of at least two that were taken to China because his ships carried them as unmanifested cargo. He was sure that others made the same voyage. The ships, their rigging and sailing qualities were all meticulously examined. The Spanish crews were “interviewed” and the cooperative ones recruited by the Malaccan navy.

The war between China and Malacca that was anticipated, but never happened, brought about new trade that had been put on hold and the news of the joint Chinese/Japanese exploration of the eastern ocean created an actual air of optimism. The resurgence of Majapahit under king Girindrawardhana had complicated the procurement of nutmeg, mace, and cloves, even for Malacca, but the arrival of the Spanish got them working together. Newes from the north trickled in. His contacts in Ryukyu sensed that Sho Shin was a bit relieved at the lack of war between China and Malacca. He had his own problems with his Anji lords who were getting unsettled and the king needed to focus attention and gold to make sure they were on his side. Apparently, the king received a new hat too. It wasn’t exactly new, but taken from a Spanish Captain and secreted north along with other unmentioned items as spoils of war. Most likely he got bits of armor and perhaps a sailor or two, but probably not a cannon.

The news from China was more interesting. The arrival of the Spanish so close to Banka Island had excited the Chinese merchants like it had him. All were in awe of their ships and powerful cannon hidden below decks. These were even more powerful than the new rockets that had been under development by the Chinese navy. In fact, the Emperor’s obsession with his navy and his distant colonies had provoked a backlash among his various households and bureaucrats. Courtly life had suffered greatly and was much less lavish than seemed fit for those of such high status. In their unhappiness, apparently, they were stealing everything they could from the royal treasury. Wu Kuan laughed. He enjoyed the tales of the Emperor’s Court and their hard lives among the palace eunuchs. On a more important note the Spanish ships ability to bombard effectively meant that the forts China had been building on Java were obsolete and would have to be rebuilt to protect against such ships. This would be true for all those who lived in the past and built accordingly. Both China and Japan had now sailed across the vast Indian Ocean and knew its bounds and its treasures. Word was that Japanese ships had traded in places called Hormuz and Socotra, and that Chinese merchants were now settled in the fabled land of Persia. The Chinese joint exploration with Japan had explored the vast unknown eastern ocean and new lands had been revealed. He would have to work to get copies of those maps, but was confident he could. Wu Kuan didn’t quite know what to make of the growing power of the Japanese Daimyo and Samurai, but then he wasn’t too concerned that they would show up at his dock any time soon.

“Giuoco Piano”
February of 1516 was warmer than expected in Northern Italy. 4,000 veteran Austrians and 20 cannon marched into Milan like conquering heroes, saviors from the French. Lodovico Sforza jumped, fell or was pushed from a high window and, needless to say, was dead all the same. Several hundred miles away, Gian Sforza died at dinner two days later. His purple face slumped in his fish course after an unexpected look of anguish contorted his usually pleasant demeanor. Within 72 hours, an official decree from Emperor of Austria announced that Maximilian Sforza was now the Duke of Milan. An impressive document was presented to the city fathers and Court. The 23 year old son of Beatrice d'Este and Lodovico pledged his fealty to Austria and eternal resistance to the incursions of the King of France into Italy. The city ‘rejoiced” and those who felt uneasy about their place in the new regime, quietly departed the city in the weeks following.

To the west 5,750 French paid mercenaries under Andrea Doria gathered; 500 more marched up from Naples; all with the intent of subduing Milan’s 3000 or so troops. They did not expect the Austrians. As the campaigning season approached and Andrea Doria’s march on Genoa took shape, the new Duke of Milan proclaimed Genoa a free city and restored to its former independence and old borders. The Milanese departed and Doria’s entrance into Genoa rivaled that of the Austrians in Milan earlier in the year. War at the moment seemed a bit silly, Doria had everything he wanted without it. France was in his pocket should the need arise, but this new Sforza seemed most reasonable at the moment.

Captain’s Tale
Captain Santiago returned to Cadiz with 19 ships; five had been lost along the African coast during the outbound voyage, four more to the treacherous Sultan of Malacca and the final eight disappeared during the wild ride of the monsoon winds from India back to Africa. He had been fortunate that the Portuguese had let him refit at the new colony of Joania at the tip of Africa. In his stay over there he dumped his Malaccan prisoners on an Englishman named Matthew Smith who worked for the House of Lee and had been recruited by Portugal to search for mining possibilities in Joania. The Malaccans fetched a good price and he would be rid of them. Like him, but on a lesser scale, the Portuguese had been seeking trade with India to break the Ottoman and Venetian hold over the flow of spices from the Indies to Europe. He had successfully established contacts along the East coast of Africa, at Goa in southern India, with the Chinese in Ceylon. Gujarat and Orissa had a Portuguese presence now as did the Chinese colony in Ceylon. The Spanish connection with Malacca did not go so well. Santiago noted that the Portuguese had a string of enclaves that included the Songhai coast, Gambia, and Joania, with more planned. Bartolomeu Gonzales, the governor of the new Gambian colony was an open and generous man who made sure the Spaniards were prepared for the final leg of their homeward voyage.

His good news was well met by the tidings of what had transpired while he had been in the east. Cortez had been sent valued reinforcements and supplies, but further news from the edge of the world had not yet been returned to Barcelona. New Spain was growing and the new maps showed a growing wealth of new land. Where the natives had not been decimated by smallpox they had pulled back from the coast into the foothills of yet unexplored mountains to the west of the growing colony. Trade with the heathens was improving, but few were converting to the Truth of Jesus and the Bible. The success in North Africa was still an unfulfilled opportunity and perhaps the Corsair’s move to Egypt would be a problem in the future. He took the news of Portugal in stride. The new maps of Diascia and the coasts were always interesting useful; more ominous were the tales of newer and larger ships called “galleons” that were plying the open seas between Lisboa and the new world. Santiago cared less about the new university being built by King Joao or the fact that furniture made in Diascia of exotic woods was all the rage in both Spain and Portugal. His audience with the king was soon and he knew his tales of the Indian Ocean would excite the royal passion and stir the royal anger at the pretentious chief who ruled that mud hole of Malacca.

The Priest’s Tale, Tuscany 1520
Father Francis was reading through his report that he would deliver to his patron next week. He would meet him in Florence. There was little to say about the peace brought about by the intervention of Austria; most of that news was well publicized throughout Italy. Now that the old borders had been reestablished, Andrea Doris was ruling in Genoa and well supported by Charles of France, the young Maximilian Sforza ruled in Milan with the full backing of the new king of Austria.

In Naples, Alfonso was crowned as king of Naples and immediately began making improvements. He expanded his navy and allocated funds to repair and restore the many churches that were in disrepair. It had become clear that his allegiances had been with France and Genoa in the preceding years and not with Milan. In Rome the Pope continued to restore the tattered city to a state of grandeur, but it was a costly venture and to pay for it many indulgences needed to be sold. The Basilica of St Peter’s would be a magnificent edifice when completed and no expense was spared in its construction and furnishing. With papal blessing the bible was translated into German and French to be followed by Spanish. Where the Vatican was lagging, clergy like Martin Luther took up the slack and did their own translations book by book. This passing of the Holy Word of God into the vernacular was causing problems though. Given the freedom to read the words of the Bible in their own language, some assumed the freedom to interpret. The new Bibles, the continued corruptive practices associated with the Holy Father and the charismatic young priests caused many to seek alternatives to the authority and leadership of Rome. This troubled Father Francis greatly. Perhaps, he though, the expanded Redeemer Congregations in Naples, Spain and Northern Germany would offset this reformist minded trend. Even the various lords of the Papal lands were disgruntled and could often be seen visiting the Doge of Venice where, most likely, they were airing their private grievances. Or perhaps, those noble Lords were looking to capture a few stray profits from the new Venetian holding in Tunis.

The Court of Sunni Baru
The past five years had been glorious ones for the great king of Songhai. Close to his heart, the University of Ali, built to commemorate his father was finished an filling with students wanting to learn and be part of this greatest of African Kingdoms. In its image, other smaller yet equally entreating, schools were being built all across the kingdom making knowledge more available for all willing to partake. And the new knowledge was boundless. The coming of the Europeans had opened the eyes of the king to all he did not know and the success of the small but growing enclave in Barcelona was making it even more apparent. Hard work and gold had enabled the Songhai craftsmen to make serviceable arms and armor to match those used by the soldiers in the forts along their coast and finally, on their own they had made the first, of what would be many more, functioning harquebuses. These were reliable and well made. It was a great day for the king and his people.

The Miner’s Tale
In the spring of 1520 Matthew Smith was traveling from Lisboa to London via the Continent. His traveling companions were Pietro Verner and two servants. Pietro’s servant was forced upon him by his mother who still worried about him while he traveled across Europe on the House of Verner business. Matthew had bought his during his voyage to Joania. He called her Mary because her Indian name was unpronounceable. Her decidedly foreign look raised as many eyebrows as her gender; a common whore most likely; Matthew liked his women. Matthew and Pietro had been friends for 4 years now and often met during their business travels across Europe. Matthew’s mining exploration had been promising and once he had returned to London he would arrange the next phase of the operation with his bank employer: The House of Lee. The southern tip of Africa might well hold a wealth of minerals and metals as his saddle bag of reports and papers showed in excellent detail. As they rode north, Pietro heard the tales of Matthew’s exploration and the Spanish voyage to India and Malacca. In return Pietro went on at length about what had happened in Europe during his friend’s absence.

The English struggle in Ireland seemed to have settled down after six cogs and ferry that the Irish called a fleet were burned to the water line and those Irish lords, who had chosen badly and had fled to England, had been “favored” by the new King of England: Henry VIII. Across the Irish Sea, Fitzgerald had successfully consolidated his power. He added men and cannon to his army and removed the last of those publicly supporting English rule in Ireland. The Fitzgerald had condemned all who would not swear fealty to him to death or exile, so England was quite full of unhappy Irishmen. And as a new Irish parliament was taking shape in Dublin, Henry’s gold was making its influence felt among the clans. One good turn deserving another was the thinking. Henry’s investment in industry and naval architecture had begun to pay off as carracks began to make sea trials in the Channel in 1518. That was the same year that the first English colony was founded in the new world. Ft Henry was located on a large tropical isle nicely situated between New Spain and Diascia. Two years in, it was still there.

Ft Henry had been preceded in 1517 by Nova Scotia. The Scots had settled north of New Spain at the mouth a large river. It too had survived the perils of its first years and had established cordial relations with the local savages who had moved their villages further inland as the Scots cleared fields for crops and pasture. In recognition of the increasing importance of the sea to Scotland’s prosperity, the King upgraded shipbuilding facilities in anticipation of Nova Scotia limitless sources of fine timber. James IV was looking ahead as he completed a complex and well built series of border forts facing England. The change in rulers was always a bit dicey and he was preparing for any eventuality. Within his government he set up rigorous testing for those who would work within the growing government bureaucracy.

Other than his intrigues in Italy, Charles VIII of France was hard at work furthering France as the cultural glory of Europe. Paris was the premier city of Europe for the arts, education, graciousness and fashion. Under Charles’ leadership, Erasmus was reforming the Church (singlehandedly one might suppose from the discourse at court). And without much fanfare, the King’s choices for bishop and important clerical positions were quietly being filled where ever he had a smidge of real or imagined authority.

Tragedy struck the foursome a day’s ride outside of Paris. Their dinner at a tavern was interrupted by the arrival of three quite drunken mercenaries on their way back to England from Italy. They had been abandoned by their unit for quarrelsome and inhospitable behavior. They did not disappoint the local crowd. Matthew’s slight build and intellectual demeanor attracted their attention once they had enough beer to make them feel cocky. What they did not expect was for Matthew to actually defend himself. When the one known as “Red Jim” went down with a sword cut to his calf, and Matthew stood ready to take on the second’s drunken flaying about, the cowardly third raised his crossbow and shot him through the heart. Aghast, Pietro drew his sword and dagger; his first step was a lunge that pierced the neck of nameless man number two; then in two more steps his left hand sliced open the throat of the the one with the crossbow. Silence fell until the innkeeper came forward to offer his apologies and to make arrangements for the disposition of Matthew’s body. It would be sent on to England. Pietro and the two servants, saddened, left for Augsburg the following day.

Excerpted from Henri Coutier’s History of the World, page 227; published 1725
“Even though Charles VIII took little interest in the explorations of the new world and the rise of maritime trade with the Far East, the history of France was irrevocably changed in the period from 1515-1520. It was then that Portugal and Spain, sailing east, first established themselves in the Indian Ocean and at the same time, China and Japan, sailing west, found themselves face to face with the cannon laden carracks of European diplomacy. The Spanish attempted to sail their small fleet all the way to China, but had to settle for meeting the Chinese at Ceylon. When they attempted to breach the Straits of Malacca with 20 ships, they were met by over twice that number of Malaccan vessels. Four of the Spanish ships were overwhelmed and captured in spite of their superior firepower. The Malaccan losses were presumed to be far worse. Despite the unresolved tensions over who might rule what lands and who would control the lucrative spice trade, for the first time the great nations of Europe, the rich princes and sultans of India and Persia, and the little understood yellow people of China and Japan shared their wealth and knowledge in the trading ports of the Indian Ocean. Here is where the “Great Exchange” began. The mixing of East and West that laid the foundations for the turmoil to come. Few of the great events of the next century cannot be laid at the feet of this moment in European, nay world, history. This first exercise of “power at a distance”, that was made possible by the Spanish and Portuguese aggressive use of their newly developed cannon equipped ships, would be the pattern for decades to come in all parts of the unfolding world.”

Ibid. page 352ff
“Religious turmoil was growing as the gallant efforts of Charles the Magnificent to reform Catholicism began to take hold in the years following the proclamation of the Concordant of Rome of 1511. The great king’s middle ground was a step too far for many and not far enough for those bent on destroying the church as it existed.

Throughout southern Germany priests were shifting their alliances from the bishops and dictates of Rome to the reformist thinking of Luther, Denck, and Zwingli. Reformists often met in secret in the chapel of a like-minded Lord or Prince for whom the heavy hand of the Church was a burden. The costly rebuilding of Rome and the new basilica of St. Peter was being paid for by the sale of indulgences to many who not afford it. This expectation, nay demand, rankled many otherwise pious and good people. Furthermore, the exaggerated cult of the saints, justification by works, and the coercion of the conscience in the sacrament of penance could not offer certainty of salvation. Philip Melanchthon made the distinction between law and gospel the central formula for Lutheran evangelical insight. By the "law" he meant the Papacy and rigid rituals controlled by priests; the "gospel" meant an individual directly confronting Christ through Bible reading, hymns and prayer.

As the new, vernacular Bibles made their way into circulation, German first, then French, the need for Papal Authority seemed to diminish and a sense of liberation spread among these hidden sects. They took their new Bibles to heart and pondered them and began coming to their own conclusions about what it all meant. Some spoke out, but most did not. For every active “protester” against the Pope and his orthodoxy, there were ten or twenty more that moved in silence and quietly worshiped in a new way. Many peasants were quickly converted to the thinking of the reformists doctrines. The young firebrand Hans Denck fled Augsburg in 1515 and took his baptism oriented thinking to France. Martin Luther grew more outspoken, but tread the line of heresy carefully to avoid an outright condemnation by Rome. He traveled throughout the Empire attracting the attention and support of local Lords and disenchanted clergy. His formal protestations, most notably the posting of his 95 theses against the Church, brought him notoriety and the focused attention of the Pope. The use of the German Bible followed in his footsteps. Huldrych Zwingli established himself in Switzerland and began to preach his own translations and interpretations of the scriptures and developed a large, supportive, anti Rome following. Similarly, Erasmus worked diligently for his patron, the King of France, and for reform from within the church. His ongoing dialogue with Luther grew less cordial as their developing differences came to light.”

The Servant’s Tale
It was on the ride from Paris to Germany that Pietro heard the full story of Matthew’s servant and how he came to acquire her. She had been one of four score slaves sold to the Englishmen in Joania by Captain Santiago as he stopped over there on his return voyage from India. The men were used as pack animals during the mining explorations, the women reserved for domestic and other less rigorous work. Matthew liked her because she was the prettiest and spoke Spanish. Her name was not Mary, but Wu Meiying and she was the daughter of a rich trader in the fabled Spice Islands. She had learned a rudimentary Spanish while captive in the hold of Santiago’s ships; improved it when she took up English with Matthew and to Pietro’s amazement she also spoke Chinese and several other languages of Asia. As she talked and he listened over the miles they rode, he realized what a treasure of knowledge she was about the Indies and the lands of Asia. She had 20 years of trading savvy. Her tale of being pulled from the wreckage of her sinking ship by the Spanish and her nightmare journey around the Indian Ocean and then west to Africa and the Portuguese colony was captivating and exciting for the young German who had only ridden by horse a few hundred miles from home. His father would be equally amazed. And, he thought to himself as they enjoyed the spring air of the French countryside, she was beautiful beyond anything he ever could have imagined in a woman.

Denied da Nile
The plan was a good one. The men, money and guns were all in place and ready, and the local authorities were not. Barkiyaruq Reis assault on the palace was not as bloody as expected and it fell to the corsair takeover during the initial night attack. The Ottoman garrison was much less accommodating and withstood numerous assaults on their well fortified barracks. Salih Reis, Barkiyaruq’s eldest son, died in one of them. In his grief the Corsair had no mercy and all who opposed him slain and their bodies left to rot in the searing heat of the desert sun. Even those who slowed his movement through the confines of the city were perceived as enemies and feared for their lives. Within a month Egypt was won and under the heavy hand corsair rule. The Sultan of Sultans had sent no aid to save his province he was fighting far to the north in the Balkans. And so Egypt fell. But Barkiyaruq’s success was short lived. One of his many newly created enemies fell upon him from a rooftop perch as he rode through the streets of Cairo. As they tumbled from horse to ground, a quick dagger found its way to the throat of the would-be ruler of Egypt. Out of the confusion that followed it was Kurtoğlu Muslihiddin Reis who came to power as the one to lead a renewed Egypt to its former glory. With diplomatic courtesy and forgiveness to those that opposed him he gave fealty to the Great Sultan of Constantinople and promised to serve and obey. He was granted the right to rule all Egypt at the Sultan’s pleasure.

Topkapi
Ali Pasha had grown old with his lord and master Sultan Beyazid II and in his role as vizier he had guided the greatest of rulers down a wise and prosperous road. But of late the 70 year old sultan had grown more fond of his dancing girls than his generals and advisors. North Africa was lost the infidels, turmoil in Egypt had displaced a trusted nephew with a corsair, the Balkans were under attack and the armies there struggling. The Safavid Empire to the east was growing in power and illustriousness. Out of fear the Sultan’s two sons, Selim and Ahmed were banned from the capital. All the while, Sultan Beyazid imagined he already frolicked with young girls he was promised by the Koran. If he was to act, it must be now. And so by ship a single word was carried to Selim in the Crimea: “Come”. Then by horse to Damascus and the head of the garrison there: “Civil war would be a crime against God”.

The Family Tale
The Verner family gathering in the spring of 1520 was unusually busy with business. For the first time in several years everyone was there. With the unexpected arrival of Wu Meiying the news and business of Europe now became the news and business of the world. Nichols and Helene welcomed her as family and immediately noticed how taken with her Pietro was. Helene sighed and smiled at the idea of adding a Chinese woman to the family mix. How people would talk. After a thorough review, the mining papers that had belonged to Matthew Smith were sent on to the House of Lee in London with appropriate condolences. No mention of Meiying was made. She was a fountain of information about a part of the world that was beyond anything the Verners could have imagined. Everything they thought they knew about what lay beyond Europe had to be rethought. And as her English improved, so did the prospects for a bright future for her and the Verners.

Equally, Meiying had to rethink her view of the world as her adopted family discussed the affairs of Europe in 1520. The Polish peace was short lived as Glinski turned quickly about and attacked the Teutonic Knights. He sent 10,000 men and 30 cannon to lay siege to Konigsburg and deal with whatever forces the Grand Master threw back his way. The greatly outnumbered knights failed to break the siege and “Kings Mountain” fell after 8 months of siege. The new Polish navy was a helpful addition to the process as it kept any resupply to the city coming from the sea. Rather than risking additional failures of his rapidly depleting army, the Grand Master sued for peace and gave up his Prussian holdings.

Losses:
-3570 men and -10 cannon Poland
-680 knight and 2200 men at arms TK

In the east, the Tsar spread his power further and deeper into the lands he now controlled. Most of the Lithuanian nobles remained in their ancestral and bowed to the power of the Tsar. In celebration of his victory lavish gifts and bequests were made to all the important people and families of the realm. Many landed lords of the north were given holdings in Lithuania and the border lands of the south in anticipation that future generations would be more civilized and accustomed to the ways of Muscovy and autocratic rule. And the spending continued. Forts were constructed along the borders with the Ottoman Crimea and steppe lands of the Nogai Horde. New churches were constructed in Kiev which appeased the religious leaders as they submitted, under pressure, to give the Tsar a free hand in dealing with the Catholics of Lithuania. But of all his achievements the one the tsar was most proud of was the birth of an heir in 1516: Ivan Dimitriyevich.

The Verners all thought that the Austrian success in Italy would be good for business and allow trade to resume without the threat of war looming over all. Genoa’s port was open again; Algiers and Tunis in Christian hands and the Ottoman Turks preoccupied with the war in the Balkans that Austria seemed to be winning. In the east peace was also at hand as Poland settled itself into East Prussia and the Knights licked their wounds with frustration and resentment. Philip’s wife bore him three children: Isabella & Ferdinand in 1516 and Mary in 1518. His line appeared quite safe if any of them made it out of childhood.

Austria had sent 18,000 men and 50 cannon to continue their attack against the Turk. They swept south through Bosnia and Servia to the gates of Sofia itself and after a bitter siege, the city fell. Little mercy was shown to the Muslims who trudged out hungry and beaten. The news was celebrated far and wide, from Vienna to Paris and Rome to London. Islam was on the run and many hoped that Constantinople would be next. But it had been a long hard campaign and little more could be achieved without substantial rebuilding and resupply.

Only two clouds hung over the horizon from the Verner’s perspective. The first was the presumed death of Sultan Beyazid II and the rise of Selim as heir and now ruler of the Turks. He was a skilled general and well liked within the Empire. If anyone could rally the armies facing Austria, it would be him and the summer campaigning season was fast approaching. The concern other was Maxmillian I. He had taken a fall from his horse, was bedridden and slow to recover. Philip had taken over most of the duties of his father. Should he die, Philip would of course be King of Austria, but what of the Empire? Who would be elected to the crown of the Holy Roman Empire? Around the dinner table the family reviewed the options. The new Emperor would be selected by the Electors of the Empire. There were seven. Three were ecclesiastic and four secular. There were few rules about who could be nominated and who could be elected. It was even permissible to vote for oneself. Since Phillip was the guardian of the young Bohemian king, no one doubted that Philip would have at least one vote. Of course there were other choices: Henry of England; Charles of Spain, Glinski of Poland; Alfonso of Naples; Juan of Spain; any of the ambitious Dukes of the Empire in fact. Whoever was selected, no one around the table doubted it would expensive. But such a plum position had its benefits. Nicholas was pretty sure that Maxmillian earned several thousand gold ducats regularly from the princes of the Empire and they also could provide thousands of armed men if needed for war. Meiying was bewildered by it all. The election of Kings was beyond her understanding.

Tenochtitlan
In the palace of Huey Tlatcani the history of the world was being added to as called for by the new events and dictated by the Emperor himself. The death spots disease had come to the mountains and valleys of the Mexica and many had died, even some of his family, but none of his sons. More had died in Tlaxcala including the royal family. The gods were punishing them for their resistance to the will of the mighty Tlatcani. As the people of Tlaxcala wept and mourned and sacrificed for relief, Huey Tlatcani had provided it in the form of 10,000 warriors. The gods had spoken and Tlaxcala was no more. He had taken them under his eagle’s wing and would keep them safe and secure evermore. With his victory the blood flowed from the high temples of the city and his warriors rejoiced. His glory and power were well reflected in the folding books that told the story of his reign in symbols and pictures of bright colors.

In a pause for the scribes to catch up the Lord of the Aztecs remembered the small, curved bit of hard smooth metal with a fish shaped handle brought to him during the dry season. It was a metal like the gold and silver which filled his palace and the homes of his mightiest warriors and most revered priests. But this metal was different. It was harder and stronger and shaped with an edge that could kill as well as any of the black glass edged weapons of his army, and not break. All he knew was that it had been traded for far to the south and the nonsense word “tummi’ associated with it. It was a wonder.

While ten thousand of his army conquered the Tlaxcalans, five thousand more had been sent to aid the Michuan people in their tribulation from the strangers with pale skin and harry faces. Word had come back that was both alarming and thought provoking. King Chicomecoatl had been desperate when he called for the help of the Lords of the Mexica and had promised all things if he would be saved from the devils besieging his land. They could not be killed by his best warriors and one of them might well slay two score warriors and still stand to fight. The Jaguar warriors who had been sent arrived to a very different situation. The war was on hold and a semblance of peace prevailed. The pale strangers were holed up in a large town on the coast and rarely ventured forth, but food and gold were making steady entry into what was now a foreign held fortress. Chicomecoatl and the leader of these invaders, named Cortez, had come to an accommodation: the Spaniards as they were called, would remain in the city and its nearby gardens and the Michuan people could resume cultivating their fields and fishing in the river and bay. The Spaniards would trade their supply of “goods” for food and gold. The Aztec Tlacateccatl was not impressed until he saw the collection of metal knives the Michuan king then displayed. He picked one up. It was heavy. It was sharp and he could not bend it or break it when he slashed it against a tree or rock. And this was a lesser of the weapons possessed by Cortez. A helmet was next. It was equally hard and he could not pierce it even with the metal knife. As Chicomecoatl’s story unfolded, the thousands against 200 became more complicated. Ship appeared three moons later and several hundred more of the pale-skinned Spaniards arrived with more such weapons and metal goods. Their giant ships sailed across the sea swiftly like birds and announced their presence with thunderous booms heard far up the valley. And with that, fast runners, the story, the daggers and a helmet made the long trek to Tenochtitlan and the palace of the Lord of the Mexica.

Augsburg, All Saints Day 1520

The Verner’s and their adopted Chinese “daughter” came home from Mass to news from Vienna. It was a mixed bag. Selim I now ruled in Constantinople and his armies had driven the Austrians out of Sofia. Upon taking the throne, the generals rallied around him and once the palace was in order and Ali Pasha ready to keep it that way, Selim marched to war. He brought 15,000 troops and many cannon north into Bulgaria in the late summer of 1520. The assault was too much for General Ludwig Kettlespoon who had control of the army after Philip’s departure for Vienna. He feared capture and worse if caught in the city and fought his way to a better position to the north and east. With his recapture of Sofia, Selim was content to declare a great victory and return to his capital a hero.

Losses:
Austrians -10,275 men and 12 cannon
Ottomans -7,290 men and 4 cannon

In the same packet was the news of the death of the Emperor Maximillian. Philip would assume the crown of Austria, but what of the Empire? As required, the Electors had agreed to meet in Frankfort after King’s day and choose who would rule in Germany. That called for speculation and what fun they had with that.

Be the first to identify an anachronism and get 1000 gold added to your stats. There may be more than one. Max 1000 per nation.

Portugal +1000

Update 6 map 1516-1520

Africa climate (on the left) and terrain (on the right) Maps

New Spain climate (on the left) and terrain (on the right) Maps. The new maps are climate and topography for each area. The climate zones are those described in page one of the thread.

Diascia climate (on the left) and terrain (on the right) Maps

The Holy Roman Empire needs an Emperor!​

The election of the Emperor will take place in this thread and through pms. Players may post their “letters” to the electors as to influence them to vote for a particular candidate. Gifts may be important elements of those entreaties. In addition, players may pm me with any gifts or other actions they deem important, but that they would rather not make public. Once the results of the election are known, players may send in their orders. I do not see the need for any rules regarding this process or who can be elected except those imposed by what was possible in the 16th Century and that in the end one must fulfill one’s commitments, so be careful what you promise. Commitments made by NPC nations (posted by me) will be binding on them as well. It will take at least 4 votes to be elected Holy Roman Emperor. Keep in mind that in a close race, style counts. Any money actually spent in this election will be deducted from your most recent stats. The Electors are honest enough to return any gifts offered by those for whom they do not vote.

The Electors of the Empire in 1520
Three ecclesiastic
Archbishop of Mainz: Cardinal Albert of Hohenzollern
Archbishop of Trier: Richard Greiffenklau zu Vollraths
Archbishop of Cologne: Hermann of Wied
Four secular
King of Bohemia: Louis Jagiellon (child)
Margrave of Brandenburg: Joachim I Nestor
Count Palatine of the Rhine: Louis V
Duke of Saxony: Magnus I

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I'm gonna like this update.

Can I be elected Emperor?

King of Spain as HRE? Of course. The Verner's included several viable candidates in their discussion. I thought you were mentioned. You just need at least 4 votes.

Oh, sweetness.

Is there going to be a PM involving what I've discovered off east?

Yes, maybe tonight. Maybe soon.....

To Gerald Gearoid Mor Fitzgerald of Ireland
From King Henry of England

Your belligerent attitude towards our crown and our people,

HMS Vanguard said:

To: England
From: Ireland
Subject: War

We have all but defeated the English in Ireland, and we do not wish to enter English lands. However, should your men not pull out of Ireland by the end of the year, we will destoy them, and then march upon England. You have one chance, or we shall punish your nation for violating the lands of the Hibernia. Withdraw your troops, or we shall come for your King, and your country.

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have done little to win you any sympathy amongst our court. And now, you exile, or worse, murder those nobles of Ireland loyal unto me for no other crime than friendship with our person,

Birdjaguar said:

Across the Irish Sea, Fitzgerald had successfully consolidated his power. He added men and cannon to his army and removed the last of those publicly supporting English rule in Ireland. The Fitzgerald had condemned all who would not swear fealty to him to death or exile, so England was quite full of unhappy Irishmen.

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these actions i can hardly consider honorable or friendly.

Explain yourself and, if you do not want war with England, convince us why you should not be punished for your insult to we.


(OOC: i am open to peace between Ireland and England but from an RP viewpoint, Henry cannot ignore the insult of your recent actions: we would accept vassalage of the Irish fiefdom to the English crown and independent rulership by yourself of the Irish fiefs... maybe you have another suggestion?)

To: King Henry the VIII of England
From: General Gearoid Mor Fitzgerald of Ireland
Subject: Warfare

Indeed it does appear as if we are guilty of the displacement of the English Nobility in Ireland. However, The directive was to remove English occupational forces, and leave landowners on their estate, provided they would swear loyalty to Ireland, not to the Military of the General even, but to the notion of the Irish Republic herself. If they refused, then these individuals had no place the in the Irish Parliament, where the Nobility forms the House of Lords. We understand that there will always be people who wish for a United Isles, or for these Isles to fall under one nation, and that people, by their very nature will often oppose, in some cases violently, the proceedings of a particular government. However, provided that these people ensure that their opinions are voiced in a peaceful manner, befitting that of a Gentleman, then we will never have opposition to them doing so. However, when said nobles, not only refuse to swear loyalty to Ireland, but also are housing English troops, who we were at war with until they were removed, then we consider them in league with the English Forces, and as a result, at odds with our military objectives and the foundation of our parliament.

We always offer them the opportunity to hand over those who they house, i.e. soldiers or military weaponry, and in the event they refuse then force will be used. Regrettably, some of those caught up in the ensuing fighting were the nobility, and we deeply regret their deaths. But I am sure that in times gone by, Irish nobility have been forced off or killed when the English forces originally crossed the Irish Sea. We do not regard this as an eye for an eye scenario, but the avoidable death of those involved.

However, in saying this, we did offer them the chance to leave, peacefully, and return to England with their families. We did insist that if they didn't, then we would use force. We gave them 3 days tom comply, and then we engaged, with the military being housed upon those estates.

Ultimately our primary ambition has always to be establish an independent, prosperous and above all democratic Ireland. We have communicated this on more than one occasion. You knew of our goals, and knew that we were prepared to engage in hostilities to achieve these goals. As this goal, that being to remove the English Troops from our lands, has been achieved, we no longer have the need to engage in hostilities, and therefore submit that between our two nations, a peace accord be reached.

Neither of our nations desire war. However, both will swiftly and decisively defend our interests, and our people. I understand your position, Your Majesty, that the deaths of members of your court should be retaliated against. However, we believe that this intrinsic value of our people should be directed to expanding our interests throughout the new world, not within these ancient isles. These lands have been fought, won and lost over for many, many generations. Ireland believes that the time has arrived to begin ensuring that our lands here are secure, and that our lands expand outside of these Isles.

Know that we do want peace, and we believe that you too want peace. However, we hope that you want it enough, both for the betterment of England and these Isles, to look beyond the deaths of those loyal to you, as we have looked beyond the deaths at your hands many years ago that were loyal to us, and together as individual nations, begin to rival the likes of Spain and France.

Yours in Hope,

General Gearoid Mor Fitzgerald of Ireland

OOC: I too want peace, however, will only now defend vehemently, I will not attack England's shores. However, I also wont accept vassalage, or being subordinate to England politically. Pm me if you have any questions!!

Great update. However, I don't think I will present myself to the Holy Roman Emperor position, it costs too much money in a moment I can't afford it.

@Luckymoose: In the end, do you want to take a hold of Algiers or do I take it?

What is going on in Java.. a new NPC?

Abaddon said:

What is going on in Java.. a new NPC?

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The resurgence of Majapahit under king Girindrawardhana had complicated the procurement of nutmeg, mace, and cloves, even for Malacca

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Yes. The resurgence of a once great empire, has coalesced to offset the growing influence of Malacca.

Wiki said:

The great prosperity of Majapahit was probably due to two factors. Firstly, the northeast lowlands of Java were suitable for rice cultivation, and during Majapahit's prime numerous irrigation projects were undertaken, some with government assistance. Secondly, Majapahit's ports on the north coast were probably significant stations along the route to obtain the spices of Maluku, and as the spices passed through Java they would have provided an important source of income for Majapahit.[/quot]

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Milarqui said:

Anachronisms
Singapore
"Buggers stole it"
Chinese girl adoption

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The history of Singapore dates to the 11th century. The island rose in importance during the 14th century under the rule of Srivijayan prince Parameswara and became an important port until it was destroyed by Portuguese raiders in 1613.

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"Buggers stole it" While I'm sure that there is a similar phrase in 16th C Spanish, I will count this one as Anachronistic because of its obvious British origin. +1000 gold to Portugal
"Chinese girl adoption" The taking in of "foreigners" would not be alien to Europe at this time; the fact of her being Chinese would be a geographic anomaly. Nothing for this one.

TO: Electors
FROM: Juan II, King of Spain and Navarre, Prince of Algiers

A decision as crucial to the future of our church as the one presented to you is surely not to come for a life time or more. I request, humbly, that the electors come to Barcelona for a word with myself, the most Catholic of kings, within the coming year. So I may discuss the stability of Empire, of Europe and of our faith in the coming decades. May our Lord protect and bless you all.


TO: Kingdom of England
FROM: Juan II, King of Spain and Navarre, Prince of Algiers

Your highness, why do you test me so? Why have you decided, against my wishes and warnings, to make a settlement in my own lands? I do not seek to humiliate you for your ignorance, but I must remind you that all lands of the continent, unless otherwise agreed upon, are property of the most Catholic kingdom of Spain. Leave my lands and I shall forgive you, like a good Christian would, however if you remain and continue your insolent claims I shall have no choice but to remove you by force.



OOC: @Milarqui: I shall be keeping it. The rest of North Africa is free to be yours.