The Art of Diplomacy and War

[Franconicus]

When can we expect the next chapter, Franc?

Even though I receive new orders every day, I began to write and you can expect the new chapter on Monday.

Here is just an appetizer:

On 30 January 1607, around noon, the coasts of the Bristol Channel suffer from unexpectedly high floodings that beak the coastal defences in several places. Low-lying places in Devon, Somerset, Gloucestershire, and South Wales are flooded. The devastation is particularly severe on the Welsh side, extending from Laugharne in Carmarthenshire to above Chepstow in Monmouthshire. Cardiff is the most badly affected town, with the foundations of St Mary's Church destroyed.

It is estimated that 2,000 or more people are drowned, houses and villages were swept away, an estimated 200 square miles (51,800 ha) of farmland inundated, and livestock destroyed, wrecking the local economy along the coasts of the Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary.
Enjoy your weekend!

[Arjos]

OoC: ahahahah "enjoy your weekend" typical Franc's humour. Have a good one too mate ^^

[El Barto]

Anyone who has watched German workplace security videos can see the wry humour employed to make a point, e.g. do not play with chainsaws.

[Prince Cobra]

The Court of El Escorial has changed profoundly for the last year. Royal hunts has become more and more rare event, feasts are carefully planned and organized, money is less lavishly spent than it used to be. His Most Catholic Majesty seems to have strongly embraced the role given him by divine right. The King spends his long days with his Royal Council, generals, admirals and noblemen from Spain, Portugal, Italy and Flanders. Servants come in and out with maps, documents, letters, bills from all the distant corners to the Realm. The King himself has taken interests in accounting and it is rumored that he has fired one of his secretaries for mathematical errors. The King's attention seems to be focused on a single goal. Flanders. Troops there have to be well paid, well fed, well protected...

For it is under the black sun of this dark country where the pride of the Spanish Empire is defended and the holy war against the Dutch heretics is waged... I, the humble Father Mariana, pray day and night for the victory of our holy cause and for a victory at Breda. I also pray that Our Lord guides His faithful son, the King of Spain and Portugal and gives him wisdom and also physical stamina and strength to endure this test. For the nights are short and days of our King are long...

From a letter of Father Juan de Mariana, Spanish Jesuit and former tutor of Philip III.

[El Barto]

How ridiculous. They claim that their ears are the only ones capable of hearing God's voice and somehow it just happens to tell them that they are right about everything and the just rulers of the universe. And we are the blasphemers.

-from the mouths of passersby in any street in the Nederlands.

[Franconicus]

Chapter 5 – Anno Domini 1607

The Americas

France founds new companies to foster trade and exploration of the New World and gives them exclusive privileges. Prisoners are released if they agree to settle in Arcadia.

The Scottish Trade Society has to give up her new colony. With financial support of King James and some English ships, the settles move to find another location for their new colony. After a short attempt, where they find out that the coast is contaminated by mosquitoes, the settler sail further north and finally find a new colony at the mouth of a big river which the natives call Mississippi. The new town is called Jamestown and the colony New Caledonia.

Pacific

Dutch ships intercept and raid the Spanish Galeón de Manila.

Europe

Black death disappeared again.
All over Europe there are many trials against witches.

Mediterranean Sea

The ruler of the Ottoman Empire sends his fleet to the Western part of the ocean to demonstrates the claims of the Muslims. Near Malta they meet a convoy from Venice and after a short battle most of the Venice ships are destroyed. The remaining ships flee to Rome where they report to the Pope. The Ottoman ships sail further west, along the northern coast of Africa until they reach the Strait of Gibraltar. As they cannot find any Spanish ships, they return and sail homewards again.
Even though the Ottomans have not inflicted much damage, they demonstrated the power of the Sultan. The North African provinces hurry to assure him heir loyalty and begin to intensify the piracy against the Christian ships.

France

The French government continues to improve the infrastructure of the country and the ability to build ships. It even begins with the next steps to improve the armed forces and to support the economy. A new national standard system is introduced and a census collects data from all over the country. There are rumours that a new tax system is prepared.
There is also a adaptationist program for the armed forces.
The navy receives an Admiralty Board and a Marine Corps. Additionally a new dragoon corps is set up.
The government spends a lot of money to increase the capabilities to produce cannons and other weapons.
Foreign experts are hired to support the army and navy reform.

Netherlands

The Netherlands exchange ambassadors with the HRE. The trade companies intensify trade with England and Northern Germany, but do not operate any longer in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Dutch government recruits 10,000 levies to be able to continue the war against Spain. It also gives letters of marque to Dutch and foreign ship owners willing to raid Spanish ships.


Dutch War

The besiege of Breda continues. Spinola still avoids to assault the Dutch fortifications, while Maurice is still trying to gather more troops. In the beginning of the Lord's Year of 1607 heavy rain stops all hostilities between the two armies and both have to fight against the weather. Field positions and camps turn into swamps and the roads turn into mood. Especially the Spaniards suffer, and dysentery spread around the camp. End of March the son comes out and the Spanish troops try to dry their victuals and rebuild their fortifications. However, there is a floodwater caused by the rivers from the west and flood the Spanish camp once again.

When the waters fall, the Dutch try to lift the siege. They manage to push back the somehow disorganized Spanish troops, but as soon as Spinola deploys his reserves, the ring around Breda can be closed again.

At the same time the Dutch send a fleet of 30 ships under the command of Admiral Jacob van Heemskerk to attack Dunkirk. When the fleet arrives, the warships begin to bombard the Spanish fortifications and send four fireships into the port. Confusion breaks out under the Spanish defenders, many of the Flamian privateers try to leave the harbour in haste, only to sail into the cannon fire of the Dutch ships. After about an hour the Spanish troops succeed in fighting the fire inside the harbour. Heemskerk orders five of his ships to penetrate the harbour. Soon cannon balls are flying through the harbour, smashing ships and destroying harbour facilities. When night falls, there is no more Spanish resistance.
During night the Dutch commanders discuss their next steps. Some of them want to attack and occupy the city at the next morning, others argue that the fleet should sail south to attack the Spanish fleet at Gibraltar and then intercept the Silver Fleet. However, due to shortage of ammo Heemskerk decides to divide his fleet to hunt Spanish ships in the Channel. The Dutch succeed to sink several supply ships as well as fishers. By accident they also sink four French fisher boats. Then they return from their mission.

During the next months, the Dutch and the Dutch supported privateers interrupt the Spanish sea lines. And they do care little if one of their victims sails under English or French flag.

Nevertheless the situation for the Spanish besieger improves, as there is a lot of supply coming from France and the so-called Spanish route. Along with that come fresh troops, Spanish and Italian regiments as well as cavalry. During summer, reinforcements reach the Dutch relief force too, there are soldiers from England and Germany, but the heart of the new troops are two Swiss regiments.

In August messengers tell Maurice that the City of Breda will soon run out of food and so he decides to attack.
At August 14th 6,000 English and German soldiers open the battle by approaching the Spanish lines from the North. However, spies informed Spinola about what is going on in the Dutch camp. After some volleys of artillery, the Flemish and Italian troops start a counter-attack and drive them back. The English and German troops retreat, covered by some cavalry. The Spanish mercenaries advance further, trying to conquer the Dutch camp. All over sudden, they receive cannonball volleys from the surrounding hills and soon the fire of muskets and archebuses joins in. The Flemish flee, but the Italians try to take a safe position on top of a hill. Still under artillery bombardment, they send a letter to Spinola asking for immediate support.

In the meantime, Spanish reserves gather and Spinola sends another 6 regiments with cavalry and some light cannons to the Italians. These fresh troops are again welcomed by the Dutch with bullets and balls. Spinola, leading this attack all by himself, decides to send two regiments and cavalry to assault some hills on the right flank. Here they meet a Swiss regiment and it comes to a melee. The Swiss repel the Spanish assaults twice, but with the third attempt, the Spaniards succeed.
In the meantime another Swiss regiment advanced at the left side of the Spanish, supported by artillery. Spinola finds his rows shaken and he decides immediately to throw more reserves to stabilize this side of the front line. More and more Spanish troops join the battle and slowly the Spaniards gain upper hand. They free the Italian regiment and move further ahead towards the camp of the Protestants.

Then Spinola receives the message that another Dutch detachment is overrunning the besiege ring from the West. He realizes that he may be caught between two Dutch armies and gives the order to retreat. His troops move to the camp and prepare for defence there, while the Dutch troops reach Breda.

During night, Spinola tries to get an overview over his situation and he is shocked about the state of his army. Before the battle, he had already lost about 10,000 men due to fighting, disease and desertion. Thanks to reinforcements, he had been able to field an army of 45,000 men. Now after one day of battle, he has only 25,000 men left. He is sure, that the campaign is lost and so is the Netherlands.
He prepares for defence and sends for reconnaissance. When his spies return, they report that the fields are covered with dead bodies. Inside Breda and around the city there are about 7,000 Dutch soldiers left. Spinola sends more patrols to make sure that there are no hidden hostile troops and then he decides to continue the fight. He gives his army the order to assault Bread and the Dutch positions. However, the Dutch are already retreating and at noon the Spanish flag waves over the city of Breda.

HRE/Austria

Rudolph announces the planned marriage of his son Leopold with Ana Maria Mauricia, daughter of the Spanish King. This arranged engagement costs 2.5 million gulden.

Rudolph denounces Matthias as collaborator of the Saracens. He threatens him with an Imperial Ban. He sends Archbishop Elector of Mainz to the Great Army to represent the Kaiser during the peace talks.

He also sends orders to the Duke of Wuerttemberg and the Duke of Bavaria to execute an Imperial Ban against Donauwoerth. The Dukes gather troops and move towards the rebelliously city. This operation becomes well known as the Campaign of the two Dukes.
When they arrive at the city walls, the gates are closed and the citizens say they trust in God and so the won't surrender to the armies of the godless Kaiser. The two Dukes are not at one what to do. While Wuerttemberg wants to negotiate, Bavaria wants to assault the walls to end the conflict immediately. They besiege the town, but most of the soldiers from Wuerttemberg sympathise with the Protestant sieged. After unsuccessful three months, the Duke of Bavaria decides to act all by himself. He invites his co-commander to go hunting in the Augsburg area. Before they leave, he gives his Bavarian troops orders to assault the town and when the tow Dukes arrive, the battle is already over and Donauwoerth is under control of Bavarian troops. The Duke of Wuerttemberg is furious about this treasonous act and so are his men. The Duke of Wuerttemberg has to take his army back home to avoid open hostilities with the Bavarians. When he is gone, the Duke of Bavaria sets up a huge forfeit for the citizens and declares that Bavarian troops will occupy the city until the forfeit is paid. De facto, this makes the Imperial City part of the Duchy of Bavaria.

Protestant leaders meet at Mannheim. There they found the Protestant Union under the leadership of Prince Elector Friedrich of Pfalz to protect the rights of the Protestants all over the realm. The members of the Union agree to assist each others and to increase their military strength.

In the meantime, Matthias is at the war camp of the Imperial Army. He is sending messages to all the nobles in the land and is receiving messengers. He is negotiating together with Russmann, the commander of the Imperial Army with the agents of the Sultan. Although the army of the Sultan is getting bigger day by day and is already stronger than the Christian troops, the Sultan seems to be willing to make peace with the Christians. The Archbishop of Mainz arrives in the camp and brings the news of the Kaiser. He claims to lead the negotiations in the name of the Kaiser.
Matthias acts immediately. He declares Rudolph as unable to act as Kaiser any longer. He proposes a peace treaty for the next ten years to the Ottomans . The reply is positive, but they have to send for agreement to the Porte . While waiting for an answer, Matthias gathers his Austrian troops and hires some of the Italian regiments joined the Imperial Army. He leads 15,000 men towards Bohemia to end the reign of Rudolph while Russman stays in the east to protect the border.

[El Barto]

Like good traders, the Dutch remain hearty after these events. One more city taken and the Spanish will have no army left. Their ‘holy’ war is too costly for them to carry on, especially if their pillaged treasure is diverted to our own lands! Rise, O men of the Low Countries! To arms! The Spanish are as weak as the chins of their inbred Habsburg rulers.

[Prince Cobra]

Once the news of the fall of Breda arrive in Spain, King Philip III declares a national holiday and organizes a feast inviting the ambassadors of Austria, England and France. On the feast he holds the following speech

Dear guests,

This is a great day for Spain and all those who directly or indirectly contributed to this success. We will never forget those who helped us and we will return the favor with favor.

There is one thing we cannot deny the rebels. They fought like lions and died valiantly. Almost to the last man. This only makes the feat of our soldiers even greater as they stood against a worthy opponent. We will never forget the brave souls who gave their lives for this great day and those who were ready to die for their King, country and religion. On the 15th of August, the day when we celebrate the Assumption of Mary, it will be good if we pay some thoughts as remembrance of this great battle. The battle of Breda.

We would like to name the hero of Ostend and Breda, Don Ambrogio Spinola Doria, the first marquis of Balbases. He will receive lands an honors proper to his title.

We would also like to publicly condemn the acts of savagery and piracy committed not only against Spanish and Portuguese subjects but also against innocent subjects of the French and English crown. We also hear that Maurice has become very lenient to criminals of all kinds and readily accepted them under his flag. Such acts are deemed unacceptable and we hope our fellow monarchs will not leave this without consequences.

That all being said, we are willing to send envoys to the Dutch and the Council that rules them in order to renew negotiations for peace that have been halted for two years. If the results are promising, we can consider stopping the hostilities. If not..., we will have to increase the pressure on land and sink more of their ships.

Since Maurice has lost significant size of his troops and an important fortress, we hope he will be more responsive to common sense and will stop pushing his people to death and a disaster. In the current position, we expect a peace that reflects our strong position but we will also try to be benevolent in our demands. We hope our secretaries will soon be ready with the first drafts.

May our lands prosper!

[El Barto]

Prince Maurice is highly offended by the suggestion that he has accepted Spaniards under his flag. There is such a thing as manners.

[SwordsMaster]

By Order of His Majesty Henry, King of France:

The rebel dutch fleet's idiscriminate attacks on French fishermen and refusal to pay reparations has made His Majesty reconsider the freedoms given to this nation of pirates. From this day, and until further order, dutch shipping is not welcome in French ports, and no trade is to take place with the rebel provinces. Anyone living in the dutch provinces but wishing to become French is welcome to settle in France and enjoy the freedom of religion afforded by His Majesty.

Signed in Orleans, in the presence of the King.
Nicolas de Neufville, seigneur de Villeroy

[El Barto]

It is most distressing to see that His Majesty has been listening to the more insidious of the Papist priests and has openly Catholicised himself, despite previous assurances to the contrary.

The apparent departure of the Duke of Sully from his post as Minister, if true, would be a deeply regrettable affair.

On the other hand, to see the French fleet departing towards Duinkerken does give us a sense of schadenfreude, so to speak, from seeing Catholic monarchs trying to take each other's lands. Either way we shall profit.

[Franconicus]

I will be on vacation this week and the next week. So take your time and enjoy the discussion!!

[SwordsMaster]

It is most distressing to see that His Majesty has been listening to the more insidious of the Papist priests and has openly Catholicised himself, despite previous assurances to the contrary.

The apparent departure of the Duke of Sully from his post as Minister, if true, would be a deeply regrettable affair.

On the other hand, to see the French fleet departing towards Duinkerken does give us a sense of schadenfreude, so to speak, from seeing Catholic monarchs trying to take each other's lands. Either way we shall profit.

The stadtholder must remain unable to see French shipping. His Majesty's fleet has not been ordered to Dunkirk. The Prince of Oranje should also remember that, while he is not yet a monarch, he is not above taking Catholic monarchs' lands himself. He just isn't very successful.

[Prince Cobra]

Message from the Palace of El Escorial, Spain

King Philip of Spain is surprised that the Spanish Empire was not invited on the peace negotiations with the Ottoman Empire. It should not be forgotten that Spain is still officially at war with the Ottomans and a senior member of the Holy League. As a result, His Most Catholic Majesty sends Juan Fernández de Velasco, 5th Duke of Frías to represent the interests of the Spanish Empire on the peace negotiations. The Duke of Frias will also meet Matthias Habsburg and the Archbishop of Meinz, representative of the Kaiser.

[Franconicus]

Are you ready to continue?

[El Barto]

*inserts coin*

[El Barto]

continue?

*inserts coin*

*shakes machine so that coin becomes unstuck*

[El Barto]

The destruction of the Dunkirk fleet and the taking of the Manila Galleon clearly demonstrate that our navy dominates the sea. Our ships are faster, more modern, and better armed. The Spanish haven't beaten the Dutch after more than fifty years of terror, Inquisition, and bloodshed. We are safe, we are strong, and we are bleeding the Spanish Empire to death. We shall win because we own the seas and because the Spanish King, in his arrogance, won't let an alien people free.

For the last time, we call on the Spaniards to seriously follow up on their so far lukewarm offerings of peace and truces. Let their Flemish vassals, who actually have an idea of what a polder is, engage in frank and open negotiations with the representatives of the Seven United Netherlands, rather than pillaging Italiotes and freebooting Asturians. Our minds are as open as yours should be.

[Franconicus]

Waiting for orders!

[El Barto]

Well, we were promised a reply within ‘1-2 days’, a deadline which is long since past.

[Prince Cobra]

Due to unfavorable weather conditions, it took longer for the message to arrive and an answer from Madrid is sent. We, the King of Spain will no longer deal with verbal skirmishes and we will proceed straight to the topic of truce. We leave to the observers from Europe to draw their own conclusions about the develoment of the war in the Low Lands. We have stated our desire for peace several years ago and we show we keep our word. We officially appoint the Prince of Arenberg as a chief negotiator from the government in South Netherlands and Spain and Portugal.

Our idea of a truce has been put on a paper and will be presented to the States General of the Dutch. We have already sent a copy to Maurice of Oranje. We hope a truce can be achieved until the coming months. If this is not possible, we offer 2 year cease fire in Flanders and the world oceans if the States General of the Dutch are not ready to agree on the truce terms. That being said, if the Northern provinces are ready to accept the document, we may announce the truce immediately. If some changes are needed, a final confirmation from Madrid and Brussels may be needed.

We also remind the Dutch that we are concerned about the consequences of the attacks on English and French ships. We think a proper compensation should be in place for the affected parties.



Edited: you can ignore the year... I did not really have time to change it...

[El Barto]

We now repeat publicly what has been said in private: the occupation of the city of Breda must stop. Immediately.

As for our relations with the Kingdoms of England and France, that is something to be discussed with their representatives, unless the Spanish envoy can produce adequate proof that he is also representing them as well as his own sovereign.

[El Barto]

Also, in the spirit of international obligations and so forth which the Spanish declaim, as it is said in their language, from the mouth outwards, we formally request the Swedish crown to explain the non-payment of the Swedish sovereign debt to a fellow Protestant country.

[Prince Cobra]

We now repeat publicly what has been said in private: the occupation of the city of Breda must stop. Immediately.

As for our relations with the Kingdoms of England and France, that is something to be discussed with their representatives, unless the Spanish envoy can produce adequate proof that he is also representing them as well as his own sovereign.

Breda was not mentioned in your private letter. You raised no issue about change of controlled territories by either side.

There is no such thing as occupation of Breda. What is your claim to Breda? Breda is Catholic (though we may consider some compromise about the Protestant minority there). Breda has been conquered at the cost of thousands dead. If you seriously put a claim on this city, you are effectively sabotaging the negotiations. Once again. To add one more reason to it: we have been fighting for 40 years. We can not surrender you a key fortress that we have just won and will keep you in check should you, Maurice of Oranje, break this truce. Surrender of Breda is out of question. We kindly advise you to reconsider your options.

At this stage we do not represent any of these countries. However, in the past both of these countries have shown a gestures of good will and it is not something we forget.

Duke of Lerma, vallido of Spain

[El Barto]

The impending arrival in Amsterdam of Charles de Ligne, Prince of Arenberg, envoy of Phillip, King of Spain, is most welcome. The West India Company and the East India Company agree that, as a gesture of goodwill, letters of marque against Spanish shipping are declared to be in abeyance for the current year –the ships can be diverted to eliminating pirate fleets or even more profitable transportation of spices.

[Prince Cobra]

We would like to announce our support to the future father-in-law to our beloved daughter Emperor Rudolf Habsburg. We can not approve such a challenge against the royal authority, and especially when this plot is led by his own brothers. Where is their Christian brotherly duty? How would the Austrian branch of the Habsburg's be taken seriously as they can not settle the conflicts within their family? We can not support such a behaviour and accept the removal of an anointed monarch and displacement of the fiancé of our daughter.

Therefore, we would like to appeal to the brothers so that they avoid a mortal sin against their own brother and treason against the HRE crown. We expect that Ferdinand and Matthias will resist the temptation and will discuss their conflict on more friendly terms. Otherwise they risk diplomatic isolation.

We also announce that we will follow the gesture of good will of the Dutch and we will not launch further offensives in Flanders or attack Dutch ships during the coming year.

Signed,

Philip III and II, King of Spain and Portugal, King of Naples and Sicily and Duke of Milan

[El Barto]

We also announce that we will follow the gesture of good will of the Dutch and we will not launch further offensives in Flanders or attack Dutch ships during the coming year.

Of course we trust that the city of the church on the dunes will not harbour any ‘neutral’ or ‘self-employed’ pirates plaguing the shipping of the United Provinces.

[Prince Cobra]

Announcement from H.M.C.M King Philip III and II of Spain and Portugal, Kingdom of Naples and Sicily, Duke of Milan
We assure Maurice that we follow the spirit of our agreement than the letter. We effectively accept what is meant to be a cease fire. We will not commit in hostilities against the Dutch for the coming year unless the Dutch initiate hostile acts against us and our peoples during the coming year.

We also announce that we will attend a few places outside our capital such as Valladolid and a few cathedrals. We even consider visiting Santiago de Compostela, if the opportunity arises. We would like to thank our Lord for His kindness so far and gain personal impressions from the land we rule. The population and the local grandees will be informed about all the security and day to day matters during the Royal visit.

[Franconicus]

Announcement from H.M.C.M King Philip III and II of Spain and Portugal, Kingdom of Naples and Sicily, Duke of Milan
We assure Maurice that we follow the spirit of our agreement than the letter. We effectively accept what is meant to be a cease fire. We will not commit in hostilities against the Dutch for the coming year unless the Dutch initiate hostile acts against us and our peoples during the coming year.

We also announce that we will attend a few places outside our capital such as Valladolid and a few cathedrals. We even consider visiting Santiago de Compostela, if the opportunity arises. We would like to thank our Lord for His kindness so far and gain personal impressions from the land we rule. The population and the local grandees will be informed about all the security and day to day matters during the Royal visit.

Gentlemen,

I am pleased to read that the diplomacy is in progress. Nevertheless it would be nice if I receive the missing orders. Let's say on Saturday?

Here is some homework for all of you: how many men (soldiers) is the carrying capacity of 1 galleon or a small ship?

[SwordsMaster]

A european galleon would carry some 60-80 sailors and approximately 100 soldiers. A spanish or portuguese one would have 125-160 soldiers when at war or protecting cargo. On top of that you'd have some 15-18 officers, varying slightly depending on exact era. Additionally you may have enough artillerymen to service the pieces.

I don't know what a 'small ship' you refer to is: galleys tended to be pretty empty, but a typical enterprising pirate could have a crew of 20-40 soldiers and a few more sailors, which is why the spanish convoy system was so effective. Only other large national players or heavily sponsored corsairs could affort to maintain the necessary manpower and ships to attack a fully laden galleon. They were very heavily built - small calibre ammunition would hardly make a dent in the structure, beyond being lucky. Downside of course is that they were very slow, so once the artillery race in the XVIII century created more powerful weapons and casting techniques they were at a disadvantage compared to faster ships which were also heavily armed with newer artillery.