Chancellor's Report, end of 1248 through start of 1252

Good Electors,

This is my first report to the Diet, and depending on what the Mongols do, may well be the last. When I inherited the office of Chancellor in 1248, the first thing I noticed was that many of our fronts were undermanned given the threats they were facing. The Outremer, of course, will always be undermanned, given the sheer numbers our eastern enemies are capable of fielding. The situation around Thorn was very bad, with the garrison itself being very small, and a large Russian invading army nearby. The Swabians were under strength as well, but did not face any immediate threats, and the Bavarian armies were very small and spread on two islands. I suppose only the Austrians were well off, with a large army besieging Budapest.

I have attempted to fix this problem. At the end of 1248, every castle in the land was training troops, most at full capacity. Most did in 1250 as well. In the homelands, the highest priority was Thorn, drawing troops from as far away as Innsbruck. The Swabians also received some reinforcements. As a result of the heavy recruitment, the construction was reduced. However, there were sufficient funds to fix all damage caused by the rioting during the previous years. Enough was left over to begin the construction of three cathedrals, four abbeys, and other small churches and chapels during the two years.

In the Outremer, Karl Zirn has advanced towards Iconium, defeating a Turkish army, and now besieges it. As it was apparent that the Mongols would advance on Edessa, I rallied all the remaining troops there. At the end of 1250, there may have been around 2500 Imperial troops there, in three armies commanded by me, Elberhard, and Conrad Salier. In 1252, the entire Mongol army, well in excess of 4000 strong, moved towards Edessa. As I have already communicated to the crusaders, I do not believe this army can be engaged in the open field, and have instructed Elberhard and Salier to withdraw. I will remain in Edessa to delay the enemy, while further defensive preparations take place in and around Aleppo.

in Franconia, the von Kastiliens declined to break out of Thorn in 1250. As a result, a large Russian army has bypassed it and now threatens Franconia. It has not advanced very far yet, however. Some reinforcements have arrived near Thorn already, and others are on the way. Hopefully, sufficient troops can be rallied quickly enough to engage the invading Russian army.

In Austria, Arnold has continued to besiege Budapest. Sofia was given away to the Greeks in 1250, and Hans has started towards the holy land.

In Swabia, the Swabian household army has remained near Paris, moving around as necessary to face potential invading threats. A large French army lurks nearby. The Swabian army has received some reinforcements from Staufen.

In Bavaria, Gerhard Steffen has left Corsica, on the assumption that the Spaniards or the Sicilians will be competent enough to defeat the remnants of Milan. His army was used to supplement Lothar Steffen's army, which assaulted Ajaccio on Corsica. I believe you are aware of the result.

There is nothing else of significance to report.

Chancellor von Hamburg.