England
Money was on the mind of the English king. He needed more of it and John Morton, Henry’s Lord Chancellor, was just the man to get it. Over dinner one night he created Morton’s Fork, a tax policy for all time:
"If the subject is seen to live frugally, tell him because he is clearly a money saver of great ability he can afford to give generously to the King. If, however, the subject lives a life of great extravagance, tell him he, too, can afford to give largely, the proof of his opulence being evident in his expenditure."
Here Comes the Tax Man
It would have been fitting if it had occurred on a dark and stormy night. Preferably some lightning would have sizzled across the sky and thunder would have rolled around like pigs in mud. The owl would have screamed and the crickets would have cried. But no, this day was pleasant. Birds were flying, the sun was shining, grass was growing, but the tax man was coming—the equivalent of a modern-day audit. Phillip Sittow woke up, completely unsuspecting, just as Lord Chancellor John Morton liked. After a pleasant morning lazing about, he thought he'd ride into town. Suddenly, a herald:
"My Lord Phillip, Sir Edmund Dudley (tax collector for Morton) has come seeking an audience with you." Quickly, thoughts ran through his head: was he really due that early? Well, he supposed so. Was the hiding of valuables accomplished? Yes, mostly. Well, if he delayed the Councillor’s man, there would be trouble later. He might even have to go to the Star Chamber. Better to get it over with.
When Dudley entered the manor, Phillip smiled nervously. "Very sparse surroundings," the taxman remarked idly.
"Ah yes, times are hard, but I give what I can to the king, long live the king." Was it going to work? The taxman thought, turned a bit, walked through the manor casually.
"Well, you clearly have been living frugally. You can therefore afford to give generously to the king." He scribbled down a sum, one that was far too large, and gave it to Phillip.
"The king appreciates your contribution to the realm." And he left, just like that.
Morton was unpopular, but he did refill the King’s coffers and having turned the money issues around for now, Henry focused on his enemies with a vengeance. Peace with France was a boon and a bulwark against outside interference as he hunted down and eliminated those who opposed his rule. His Star Chamber of judges enabled him to skip traditional justice in dealing with troublemakers; his appointed Justices of the Peace gave him reach into every shire in England and no enemy of the king was safe from detection and punishment. He even stretched his hand into Ireland’s Pale to enforce his rule.
Scotland
James IV was pleased with the gifts sent by Charles of France and with Henry of England busy with his own affairs, he felt free to act without retribution from nosy neighbors. John McDonald, Lord of the Isles, was forcibly removed from his home and secured in the Scottish lowlands to live out his days far from the political intrigues of the clans and lords of the north. Next, he declared education an important part of Scottish life and funded it for those who would administer his bureaucracy. Having heard what the Elector of Brandenburg had done, in 1495 he founded a new college in Aberdeen called St. Mary’s.
Portugal
In the spring of 1491 Bartolomeu Dias sailed from Lisbon to the Cape Verde islands. It was from there that he would chart a course west. On June 22 his two ships weighed anchors and departed for what he hoped were the Spice Islands of Asia.
“Bartolomeu Dias couldn't have been any happier: he was finally doing what he had dreamt about so much! Travelling towards the west, finding a new, shorter route towards the Indies, had been something he had wanted to do for a long time. After so many years, the Portuguese king had been convinced (despite the advice of several people) to fund an expedition. The king had made it clear that any lands found would be part of the Crown, as well as the 50% of the benefits earned from the products brought, but for Dias it was more than enough, for he wanted to be known as the man that gave Portugal all of their wealth in the future.”
After 22 days at sea, first light brought the first hint of a horizon that was more than endless ocean. By noon landfall was assured as a dark strip of land stretched continuously from the northwest to the southeast. As darkness approached the two ships hove to and anchored for the night afraid to venture too close in the falling darkness. The voyage had been shorter than expected. In fact, it had been shorter than his voyage south along the coast of Africa. Could the Indies have been that close all this time? Tomorrow would tell.
Forest, not unlike that of West Africa came down to the shore. In some places wide sandy beaches stretched invitingly and in others the waves lapped the shore directly. Dias chose a wide beach with a stream flowing forcefully as the place they would land. The fresh water was the best they’d had since leaving the Cape Verdes and after they were sure they were alone, most of the crews came ashore. The forest was dense and wet and difficult to penetrate so little effort was made to go inland. Other than birds and monkeys there was no sign of life and certainly no men appeared. Hunting proved difficult and fruitless so after refilling the water casks the pulled anchor and sailed south looking for something more.
For 20 more days Dias sailed slowly along the coast in search of either habitable land or people or anything that would please King Joao. After 10, they came to great bay fronted by islands and it was there that they saw their natives of this endless shore. They were a dozen or so fishing among the rocks in canoes of tree trucks and they fled as soon as the two ships were spotted. The high hills on the horizon told Dias that the bay was not a passage so they anchored to see if curiosity would bring the natives back. The great rainforests of further north had lessened to more open tropical savannah that lined the coast. Before dawn the following day a small party went ashore to be there if the natives returned and they did. When the caught sight of the Portuguese the natives again fled in their canoes and disappeared down the shoreline of the great bay. One canoe had been abandoned in their haste. They were a primitive people who wore no clothes and their weapons were of wood with stone tips. They were brown skinned, not black like the Africans and painted their bodies as civilized people donned different garments to set themselves apart from one another. The explorers saw no smoke or other signs of a village or town. The next ten days brought little change, just more sailing to the southwest. Then Dias called it quits and they turned about to retrace their course. Fish and fresh water were plentiful and sustained them in the disappointment and on a few of their forays into the dense forest fruit was found, birds or strange animals killed and broke the monotony of their diet. A cairn on the beach marked their original landfall and it was noted in the ship’s log as they passed it going northeast. Few islands broke the never ending stretches of sand and jungle. Numerous streams and small rivers flowed from distant forest covered hills into the ocean and from time to time a few of the primitives would show themselves and stare at the ships as they passed. Every attempt to make contact failed. Each day Dias hoped for an end to the wet, hot green of the forest and the steady diet of fish and moldy bread.
After a thousand miles he got it. Great clouds began piling up in the east as storms rolled in frequently forcing the two ships to scurry for shelter along some lee shore. After a week of it, all were ready to sail home, so with the first break in the storms Dias ordered a new course north by north east where he hoped to find the Azores and an easy sail to Portugal. Eight weeks later a beaten and disappointed crew dropped anchor in the Azores where they refurbished their ships and spirit before sailing to Lisbon. He had little to report to the king. He found less than he found in Africa; not even any gold or slaves. The king was disappointed. Twice now his plans for sailing to Asia had failed.
Winter 1491
Bartolomeu Dias was disillusioned. From what the cartographers had told him, the lands they had found didn't match up with the charts the Venetians had sold them several years ago. Although there might be a chance that, simply, the Venetians didn't know about these lands, it was more probable that they were something different from the Indies. In fact, it made more sense for this not to be Asia; many of the cartographers had proved to him that the distance of the Spice Islands going towards the west was far longer. He supposed that he could be glad that this land was found, or else everyone would have died.
For three years the king assigned Dias to teach at the new Navigator’s school he had founded. Word of Columbus’ voyage was announced in 1492 and of his failure to find the riches of the Indies. Dias was anxious to see maps of the Italian’s voyage to compare with his own.
Spain
Siege of Grenada:
Muhammad XII's refusal to surrender his lands to the crown of Christ was the final act of resistance from the Islamic occupiers of God's own land. True to their word, Ferdinand and Isabella set out for conquest, to cleanse the lands of heresy and filth. By the sword of all those men who's faiths are unmatchable by the Muslim-kind that reside in the lands of their lord. Thousands strong they march, to siege and demount Muhammad from his throne, zealous rage and careful propaganda drew out the volunteers and the army quickly grew. Blessed by priests, the cannons fire, ripping through stone buildings, or anything in the way. The cavalry carry with them the sign of Christ, metallic crosses and swords engraved with images of the saints. Behind his men, Muhammad cowers, the almighty power of the true faith overwhelms him, and in his weakest moment God showed his mercy. Surrendering his crown, his lands and rights, Muhammad came under the command of the Catholic monarchs, whom showed great pity and mercy. God rules all men, so may it be seen that Muhammad is no exception, in his defeat the lord gave him a miracle, freedom to remove himself from Spain with his life. And the men of Spain chant an old battle cry, “Deus Vult”, and a truer statement cannot be made, Spain is ascending, God wills it.
It was a bloody and desperate fight and costly to the conquering Spaniards, but Granada fell and all Christendom celebrated for the victory of God over his enemies.
The Alhambra Decree:
Spain pronounces itself the most Catholic Kingdom and allows the church to expel all non-Christians, and the conversion of all non-Christians whom wish to remain within the kingdom of Spain. This is an effort to make the Spanish monarchy the closest followers of God, and the upholders of all Christian law.
Exploration in 1492
After the success of Portugal’s voyages west, Christopher Columbus was granted permission to explore the western ocean in search of a sea route to the Indies.
Captain’s Log
Date: May 12th in the year of our Lord 1492.
After 35 days at sea since departing the Canary Isles, at two hours after midnight land was sighted at a distance of two leagues. A wide white sand beach glowed like paradise in the moonlight and stretched without gap as far as we could see north and south. Our three ships hove to until morning and after giving thanks to Lord Jesus, I took a small party ashore. My two captains, Rodrigo Escovedo, secretary of the whole fleet, and Rodrigo Sanchez of Segovia, and said that they should bear faithful testimony that I, in presence of all, had taken, possession of the said land for the king and for the queen.
From the beach we could see, at some distance, tall dunes covered in grasses, and beyond those great trees that stood taller than our masts by twice, and just as straight. Long needles crowned their glory. Two hundred paces took our small party of 14 to the top of the dunes so that we could gage the nature of the woodland beyond. The pine trees towered above us and the cool shade of them beckoned us from the already hot morning made hotter by our armor. Presently many inhabitants of the island assembled, and I said that we might form great friendship, for I knew that they were a people who could be more easily freed and converted to our holy faith by love than by force, gave to some of them red caps, and glass beads to put round their necks, and many other things of little value, which gave them great pleasure, and made them so much our friends that it was a marvel to see. They afterward came to the ship's boats where we were, swimming and bringing us fruit, small birds and feathers, darts, and many other things; and we exchanged them for other things that we gave them, such as glass beads and small bells. They took all, and gave what they had with good will.
It appeared to me to be a race of people very poor in everything. They go as naked as when their mothers bore them, and so do the women, although I did not see more than one young girl. All I saw were youths, none more than thirty years of age. They are very well made, with very handsome bodies, and very good countenances. Their hair is short and coarse, almost like the hairs of a horse's tail. They wear the hairs brought down to the eyebrows, except a few locks behind, which they wear long and never cut. They paint themselves black, and they are the color of the Canarians, neither black nor white. Some paint themselves white, others red, and others of what color they find. Some paint their faces, others the whole body, some only round the eyes, others only on the nose. They neither carry nor know anything of arms, for I showed them swords, and they took them by the blade and cut themselves through ignorance. They have no iron, their darts being wands without iron, some of them having a fish's tooth at the end, and others being pointed in various ways. They are all of fair stature and size, with good faces, and well made. They should be good servants and intelligent, for I observed that they quickly took in what was said to them, and I believe that they would easily be made Christians, as it appeared to me that they had no religion. I, our Lord being pleased, will take hence, at the time of my departure six natives for your Highnesses that they may learn to speak. They showed us a spring and small lake not far into the woods and we re-provisioned our casks and refreshed ourselves after so long at sea.
In the following days, we sailed north along the coast from the land of the Waccamaw, for that is what they called their land. For a 115 leagues we sailed (1 Spanish league = 2.6 miles) north along the intermittent beach and low coastal shores. From the land of the Waccamaw we entered that of the Pamahsawuh, Nottoway and Powahatan and many more too numerous to name. And when we rounded a great cape into a broad bay fed from a river larger than any found in Spain, we lingered. The cape we named Ferdinand for our lord and sovereign and the river, Isabella for the unending generosity of our Queen. The bay was rich in fish and oysters and the peoples here known as Anacostank and Patuxent amongst themselves were friendly and readily accepted our gifts. We repaired our ships and visited their villages. The endless forest of giant trees was of wide variety and stretched west and north beyond what we could see. We feasted on deer and fish and tasted many plants that made us wonder what ever possessed these people to ever eat them. They had no metal or woven cloth and lived in hovels of bark and sticks. Their weapons were no match for ours and we were careful to reclaim any which they handled.
Repaired and renewed in spirit we sailed north once again for 100 leagues until we crossed the latitude of Lisbon and then turned east for Spain. The six we had chosen to present to your majesties, alas, took sick and died during the return voyage, but we preserved such artifacts that might prove of interest to you and the court.
France
Charles was bold in his pronouncements:
-We agree to protect the territorial integrity of Duchy of Savoy
-We confirm our historic alliance with Scotland
-We pardon the Duke of Orleans and have him married to Anne of Brittany
-We agree to crown Ferdinand King of Naples (by proxy) and take for ourselves the title “Emperor of France, Brittany, Burgundy, Naples, and All Those Lands Which We Hold By Right”
-We make peace with our brother Henry of England
-We accept the titles “Emperor of Constantinople, Trebizond, and Serbia” from Andreas Palaiologo
Letter from Florimond Robertet to Father Pierre of Fresne, Priest
You will forgive me, I know, dearest Father, for not writing to you sooner. For no doubt you have heard of the great happenings in Paris, on account of which I have been exceedingly busy, so that even if I were one of the Centimani, I would not have enough hands to do all the work. Such are the events that I was a part of, that you will forgive me if I speak of them only briefly, knowing that the fame of such events has already spread throughout Christendom, so that I suppose that even the deaf have heard of it.
Such is the majesty and splendor of our own King that even the Mohammedans had heard of his glory and had sent, as a sign of their friendship, the head of the Holy Lance, which had been in their possession since the city of Constantinople had fallen to them. But the King debated within himself, whether the Lance was truly the Holy Lance, or not. For he knew that there existed other lances claiming to be the one which pierced Christ’s side, one in Nuremberg and one in his own chapel, and one in Constantinople, where many living witnesses had seen it before the Turks captured the city. So too did some close to the King’s heart say that the Sultan, as a Mohammedan, may have sent a false lance head in order to fool the pious and so hold them in derision.
It was then decided that Crown Cardinal d’Espinay along with some notable clergymen, and myself, who on account of my knowledge of Greek would act as an interpreter if it was needed between the Cardinal and the Turks, would go to Marseilles, where the Turks would bring the relic. Along with us we took an outline of the piece of the lance at the royal chapel. When we arrived, we discovered that the lance the Turks brought was missing its tip, and when we compared it to the outline of our own lance, we found that they fit exactly, showing that they had once been one. Immediately, we knew for a fact that this was in truth the Holy Lance, of which previously we had held but a piece and we began making preparations to take it to the King with all due ceremony.
We finally set out for Paris with an escort of nine hundred knights, and many more prelates and priests, and an innumerable host of men, women, and children following us, as if we were Moses with all the hosts of Israel following us. At night, usually we were forced to conduct Mass outside, in a large field, for the crowd clamored to be shown the spear that pierced our Savior’s side.
One day I expressed my marvel at the size of the crowds to one of the knights who accompanied us. And he told me a story, which he had heard from his squire. In Marseilles, when we left the city, there happened to be a blind beggar by the gates. And as we passed with the relic, he saw, so it is claimed, a bright light, in the shape of a lance. And from it flowed both blood and water. And immediately, his eyes were open and he was able to see. And the report of the miracle spread abroad, and many gathered together, either because they wished for a miracle themselves, or hoping to see one with their own eyes.
Now whether this story is true or not, I know not. But it does not surprise me, if it is true. For is it not reported that Saint Longinus himself was blind? And when he smote the side of Christ, blood ran down that holy lance, so that some of the most precious blood of our Savior stained his hands. And when Saint Longinus touched his eyes, as happened by chance, his eyes were immediately opened, and he could see. Therefore he became a Christian, from that day until his martyrdom.
In this manner, we arrived at Paris. And when we had arrived, we found that we could not enter the city! For such a throng greeted us that not even a mouse could move between them. And all manner of knights and ladies, noblemen and women, priests and laity, and all the guilds of France came out. And there arose a dispute among them, for each guild wished to lead the processions, and each nobleman likewise, and so also the priests. And this continued until the Cardinal commanded them to proceed or withdraw under penalty of excommunication. And so we started; the guilds leading, and then the priests, and the cardinal holding the relic, and after him all the nobility, according to their rank. And along the route were banners and flowers, and all manner of decorations and the people knelt down as the Lance passed in reverence.
And so we arrived outside of the palace, where the King greeted us. And he reverenced the relic, and kissed it. And the Cardinal held the relic up before the people and gave a benediction. Then the Lance was taken to Sainte-Chapelle, where the rest of the Holy Lance rested, along with a piece of the True Cross, Christ’s crown of thorns, and the Image of Edessa, and many other relics.
This is the account of the arrival in Paris of the Holy Lance, which pierced the side of Christ. I saw these things with my own eyes. I pray that you will be able to come to Paris one day, and if so, I will beseech the King to allow us to visit his chapel, that you may glimpse with your own eyes such a precious relic. Until that day I shall keep you in my prayers and hope you do the same to me. Farewell.
At the fall of Granada and Ferdinand & Isabella’s conquest of all Spain, they issued the Alhambra Decree expelling all non Catholics from their lands. The Moors fled to Africa and the Jews either went into hiding or turned to France whose king welcomed all those who brought knowledge and wisdom under his wing.
A letter from Florimond Robertet to Father Pierre of Fresne, Priest
I have received a painful and sad piece of news, death Father, and one which hurts me deeply. For the contents of your letter to me could not be read but with many tears, so many that the oceans themselves could not contain them. For I had heard that a mutual acquaintance of ours had written to you many things, attempting to sway you against the King. For he wished to stir up trouble against the King amongst the church, and, like Callistratus speaking nonsense to the sensible, said that the King had converted to Judaism and other such fables that not even children believe. But I suppose that these lies have their root in the King’s actions, which I confess that even I, the most loyal of his servants, questioned. For when his royal brother, the King of Spain expelled the Jews from that land, their happened to be one among them by the name of Abraham Zacuto, one whose knowledge of the heavens was like one of the Chaldeans. And the King invited him to France, for wherever there is a manner of letters in Christendom, the King desires him in his court. And when he had arrived in Paris, the King was so taken with his knowledge and his speech, that he made him a Royal Astronomer, and gave him a stipend and allowed him to settle in Paris, both him and some of his countrymen.
Now for this reason, some men, seeing the favor the King bestowed upon a Jew, complained to him, that it was beneath a Christian King to do such a thing. But the King replied with many fine words, asking them whether if Virgil stood before them whether they would give him patronage, though he was a pagan, or whether Plato, or Aristotle, or any of the Greeks or Latins who were not Christians but pagans. At these words they dared not say anything, for they knew not only did the King have many works from the best of the pagans, but also many churchmen, whose conduct was beyond reproof, esteemed these works greatly. For as the great Doctor of the Church, Augustine said, “just as the children of Israel, after being captives in Egypt, were instructed to despoil the Egyptians of their gold and silver, so too should Christians take what is best and most useful from the writings and words of the pagans.” So you see, dear Father that far from being a Jew or a Lover of Jew, His Majesty is a faithful son of the Church, who is only doing what she commands all the faithful to do.
I have written these things to you, dearest Father, knowing that you are a righteous man and will no longer allow such slander to be spoken before you. Give my greeting to all those in Fresne who are our mutual friends. I will give your greeting to all those in Paris who you know.
Tenochtitlan
The noble warrior general Zlantopec led his share of the warriors to attack from the East and as the waited he asked the priests to bless his soldiers in the name of the great Tezcatlipoca that the warriors would fight as if they were ten! The glorious war loomed ahead and he, Zlantopec, would rise in status as he led the victorious Aztec warriors.
Zlantopec watched as the priests led forward slaves who walked proudly as they were chosen to be a gift to the gods to bless this campaign. The priests began to speak their prayers.
"Oh great and powerful Tezcatlipoca see the offering we make to you of ten strong slaves!" some of the priests brought the first sacrifice forward to the high priest and held his arms tightly as he knelt before the high priest. "We give their life's blood to you powerful Tezcatlipoca!" A cheer went up among the warriors as the high priest carved the sacrifice's heart from his chest and held it over the bonfire for a moment before tossing it into the flames. "Give our warriors the ferocity of the jaguar and the speed of the eagle in this coming war!" another sacrifice was made.
By the end of the ceremony the Aztec warriors were in the blood frenzy and ready to crush the weak Texcoco people so they would know who their masters really were. Zlantopec smiled as he led the first of many successful attacks before the collapse of the Texcoco. The stars spoke of the rise of the great Aztec empire.
Pirate News
Nicholas Verner was worried about the increase in pirate activity in the western Mediterranean. Spain and Genoa seemed to be the primary targets. His reports showed over 1,700 in lost tax revenue, but worse was the loss of wealth to merchants like himself.
In Asia over 2000 gold was lost to the Wokou from the Chinese, but several of the pirate ships were captured by the Ryukyu.
Note: Losses to pirates shows up as negative other income in the stats.
Taxes/Tribute/Plunder: 21521/2500/0/-2560
Bank News
--The house of Lee has opened a new office in San Marino, Italy and is proud to offer the services of 2,000 Dutch Musketeers. Price upon request.
--House of Zilberschlag has opened an office in Rome to serve its Italian clients.
In the future, any bank announcements you wish to make may be included with your orders using words you prefer, or they may be posted in the game thread. More detailed financial information will show up in your stats.
