17th century

[Rodion Romanovich]

Official statement from the Pope:

The Holy Roman Emperor has shown himself to be a true Champion of Catholicism by supporting the construction of the St Peter's Basilica in Rome. The Holy Father calls for other Catholics to do the same, so that the Holy Church may prosper and defend itself from schismatic movements and heresy in such difficult times. The Papacy also wishes to inform all countries that the Church will not hold nations that attack payers of this tax in high regard.

[Rodion Romanovich]

Official statement from Denmark:

We hereby declare the Protestant meeting in Copenhagen opened. We welcome the representatives of all participating countries, and would like to suggest which subjects should initially be discussed:
1. how to react to the current situation in the Holy Roman Empire
2. how to react to the French vetoing the Dutch gaining control over Southern Netherlands
3. how to improve trade conditions between Protestants by lowering tolls on trade between Protestants while maintaining tolls for trade with Catholics, and possibly offering reduced prices for trade with other Protestants
4. the exact terms of military assistance within the Protestant Coalition. How many men should all be obligated to send, and under which conditions? How should it be decided which wars are considered in the interest of the Coalition to fight? And what should be the consequences of not following the rules and regulations of the Coalition?

[Kagemusha]

Spain believes it has done everything that was needed to restore peace in the region. Spain will honour the treaties it has with both parts and shift its interest elsewhere.

I would like to remind that the Netherlands has guaranteed safe passage to Spain of all spanish troops, equipment, and all those who wish to follow. The treaty will be considered null and void if they are harmed.

I have mediated in the conflict as much as I could, and I believe that intervention is out of the question at the moment. Further developments will show.

The Republic of Netherlands will guarantee the safe passage of all Spaniards and those who are willing to leave with them.Also i would like to appoint that while this is the part of our message that is completely valid.You cant find a sober person from Netherlands right at this moment becouse we are all too damn drunk and happy to give official statements.

Anonymous Citicen of Republic of Netherlands

[SwordsMaster]

His Catholic Majesty the King of Spain declares:

That all those of noble birth that have lost properties in the recent treaties but have remained loyal to the King will be compensated with land in the American and Indian colonies, some of the most prosperous land in the world. Those noblemen who have remained in their land in the former spanish posessions can return to Spain for they will be compensated with land in the colonies in exchange for an oath of loyalty, not to the Duke of Brabant, but the King of Spain.


Philippe

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On another note, Spain will welcome with open arms all those who wish to enter her borders be they irish, dutch, german, polish or of any other nation. They will have to convert to catholicism and will be settled on land that they can work, or given places in the manufactories of the Kingdom.


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Agrarian reform:

Those noblemen who own land scattered over great distances can opt for returning those lands to the King in exchange for a concentrated estate of the same value in the colonies.

[Incongruous]

Proclomation of the Holy Roman Emperor.

Due to his apparent unwillingness to attend a trial, the Elector of Brandenburg can expect no clemency. Therefore he shall be treated as common criminal.

[IrishArmenian]

Don't lay a finger on him Emperor! Can't you see, if you attack him you leave yourself prone to attacks from the French. If you try to do both, I will attack your exposed flank! You cannot win with this strategy, please reconsider.
Boyars, keep in mind that my cousin, our fearless and brilliant general, is loyal to me. A vote against me is a vote against the greatest Russian military leader since Nevsky! Also, know that if I win the election, I will be able to continue my military reform. Our new army shall be modeled after the Western Armies, with standing professional soldiers that, when not fighting, do not do any other work but train. I am currently looking into the shipment of equipment from the English, who have weapon technology that is unheard of. The armies will have the main general, his subordinates, and there will be captains in assigned to every company. We will communicate via the waving of flags, which will be operated by 12 men under the direct order of the general. Boyars, I am accepting this peace not out of weakness, but out of a hope for prosperity for our nation. I am in no means surrendering, nor bowing out, I am seeking the greater good for our nation, because that is what is at stake here. You do not want the Polish lap-dog reigning over you, do you? I did no think so, Vasili will continue the line of REAL Muscovite Tsars!

[Marshal Murat]

Boyars, we do not seek to intimidate you into submission. Nor do we try to awe you with foreign technology, untested, untried. We only seek to preserve your rights, your estates, your serfs, your power.
Wladyslaw is not interested in following orders of his father. He seeks his own rule, with the calm guidance of the boyar nobility. Do sons seek their fortune elsewere, away from home?
If your 'czar' negotiates for new weapondry, new 'flags' and technology, all the good for him. However, do you fear a new cannon, or a charge of husaria? What has worked on the rugged steppes, tall forests, and marshes will always work. Do you remember the Teutonic Knights? Driven back by arrows and horseflesh? They didn't, nor couldn't stand against traditional tactics! The Polish have used tried and tested horse tactics, and they have overcome the Swedes! The Ottomans turn back before they even enter the very lands of Poland, they, the warriors who even the Holy Roman Emperor fears.
Wladyslaw seeks only to bring peace and new rights to the boyars, unlike the northern boor Vasili! He is a boyar, like yourselves, but seeks to expand his families name, his own estate! What does Wladyslaw have but the clothes on his back and the money in his pocket!

[IrishArmenian]

One question, Wyladysclaw, what will you bring to the great Nation of Russia?
(To Sigismund, and not the boyars) What do you have to gain from Wladyslaw becoming Tsar? Sooner or later, he will use his familial leverage to persuade Polish nobles to side with him and attack you, as many children do to their parents in the later years. What is in it for you?

[Marshal Murat]

Wladyslaw will bring his fairness, judiciality, and a list of rights for the boyars.
Sigismund seeks nothing from this new tsar save for a diplomat of his government.

[Incongruous]

The Holy Roman Emperor

So, false Tsar, you have always had war on you're mind have you? For we have never thraetened you with it. We see now, the grand coalition brought against us by you, oh serpent tongued rogue. If you wish war we shall not stop you from persecuting it. For it is the Machiavellian princes nature to do so. We however warn you not to interfere with our nation. The Elector of Brandenburg may dance to you're tune but the rest are still Germans at heart.

[Franconicus]

Proclamations of Avignon

The border to Belgium is closed for all goods.

All ports in France as well as in the French oversea colonies are closed for Dutch ships.

No ship, neither a French one nor one from another party, is allowed to bring Dutch goods into a French harbor.

No French ship, merchant or company is allowed to sell or transport goods from France to the Dutch.

Royal French Government

[Rodion Romanovich]

The Huguenots at the Protestant meeting in Copenhagen ask the French king what his business with the Southern Netherlands is. The Netherlands is a respectable nation and there is no reason why their honorable citizens should suffer from a whim from the French administration. The area has been handed over to the Netherlands in a valid and legal treaty made with Spain and signed by both parts. The Huguenots within France do not support this movement from the French king and ask what happened with the plans for a war with the Holy Roman Emperor, which was given as the reason for the withdrawal of Huguenot garrisoning rights? Catholic nobles in France also have reason to be unhappy about this aggression, seeing as it took ruthless taxation of troops for private security - and the destruction of many legendary French forts where both Huguenots and Catholics have bravely died side by side while defending France from outer threats in the past - to acquire the money needed for carrying out a mobilization for threatening the Southern Netherlands. We encourage all others attending the meeting to also sign this proclamation and warning.

[Rodion Romanovich]

Official statement from Denmark:

1. how to react to the current situation in the Holy Roman Empire
- we believe that it is in the interest of the Protestants to react to the threats posed by the Emperor to the Protestant North. In order to assist our friends in Brandenburg, we will send 2,000 mercenaries to Brandenburg. We will also recommend the Emperor to withdraw his claims for a trial of the Brandenburg leader, or alternatively allow the trials to be held on neutral ground in Denmark. In case he is found guilty, the Brandenburg leader will be granted safety in Denmark, but leave his post. Brandenburg will then be handed over to his heir. However if he is found innocent he will continue as leader of Brandenburg, while the Emperor will pay a tribute corresponding to 30% of his annual income for 5 years.

2. how to react to the French vetoing the Dutch gaining control over Southern Netherlands
- we do not wish to sign the Huguenot Proclamation, but we wish to recommend to the French king not to interfere with the Southern Netherlands treaty. Denmark will also sign the Spanish-Dutch treaty as witness and protector of the treaty. We wish to maintain friendly relations to France by strenghtening our trade in a separate treaty.

3. how to improve trade conditions between Protestants by lowering tolls on trade between Protestants while maintaining tolls for trade with Catholics, and possibly offering reduced prices for trade with other Protestants
- We will sell first class warships at a 20% reduced cost to all Protestant nations, and also lower the Sound Straits toll for our Dutch friends for the coming 3 years due to their small economical debts and outer threats. In return, we would like the Netherlands to sign a treaty of buying their grain exclusively from Denmark for this entire period. The price for the grain will be reduced by 2%

4. the exact terms of military assistance within the Protestant Coalition. How many men should all be obligated to send, and under which conditions? How should it be decided which wars are considered in the interest of the Coalition to fight? And what should be the consequences of not following the rules and regulations of the Coalition?
- we suggest that the Coalition is formed around a small number of permanent representatives from each country. These representatives will act on behalf of their national leaders and vote about whether a particular war should be fought or not. If we decide a war should be fought, all nations will need to send at least 2,000 mercenaries per each 10,000 men in their standing armies to support the action. The armies should be under the command of a general elected by the Coalition

[IrishArmenian]

Wladyslaw will bring his fairness, judiciality, and a list of rights for the boyars.
Sigismund seeks nothing from this new tsar save for a diplomat of his government.

Ah, but you can have that with Wladyslaw as a boyar, for I will make him in charge of Russo-Polish relations. Signing a treaty for peace is a favor I will not forget. You are plauged by cynicism, thinking that I will betray you, for obviously, you would have no other reason to put Wladyslaw on the throne save for having a neigboring nation under the control of a puppet.

[Kagemusha]

Official Statement of the representative of the United Provinces

1.how to react to the current situation in the Holy Roman Empire
The Republic will also keep supplying the Brandenburg with 2000 mercenaries and we support the Danish proposal to how to solve the crisis in Germany.

2.how to react to the French vetoing the Dutch gaining control over Southern Netherlands

The Republic will protect it self and its right of independancy and self Government. We are peacefull people and do not wish war with anyone. But if attacked we will protect our land and people. We have received a message of proclamation of Avignon about France embargoing our trade with them and denying our ships to come into their ports. For our part we will respect the French proclamation and will not try to brake it. We ourselves wont take such measures and the French trade ships are still wellcomed to Republics ports to get water and supplies if they need those.

3. how to improve trade conditions between Protestants by lowering tolls on trade between Protestants while maintaining tolls for trade with Catholics, and possibly offering reduced prices for trade with other Protestants

The Republic salutes Denmark for its generous offer and accepts it. For our part we will offer 2% discount from all exotic trade items we are porting from East Indias to our fellow Protestantic Nations.

4. the exact terms of military assistance within the Protestant Coalition. How many men should all be obligated to send, and under which conditions? How should it be decided which wars are considered in the interest of the Coalition to fight? And what should be the consequences of not following the rules and regulations of the Coalition?

Again we agree mostly with Denmark. Altough we would like to suggest that the mercenary force if sent would be straight under the command the country that has been attacked.This would make them more effective.

[Marshal Murat]

Wladyslaw will be able to guarantee rights for the boyars, and his rule will be independent from the Polish Throne. Is there anything wrong with following the whim of the people? Are the boyars wrong to elect a man they think should rule in a more fair and judicial way, than a ruler who is only worried with his own estate?

[IrishArmenian]

Ah, so that is the problem. You are decieved, I plan to give rights not only to the boyars, but to the common people. They are much more powerful than the mightiest of kings. That you think I only care for power insults me. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. How sure are you that Wladyslaw will never stab you in the back. I have sworn not to, yet the same cannot be said for my opponent. The Boyars are human and as such can be decieved by Wladyslaw's trickery, but I have never harmed them or coerced them. I had been advised to bully some, but they are all entitled to voice their respectable opinions. Thus far, Wladyslaw has not proven anything.

[Incongruous]

A formal declaration of the Holy Roman Empire.

We here by declare war upon Denmark and the Dutch Rebels.
We hereby proclaim that any man who wishes to fight by our side will be rewarded with lands in newly conquered territories.

We declare that the state of Brandenburg be in a state of war with the Empire. Hereby it shall be treated as a foreign nation (until rebellion is subdued) by our armies and can expect no clemency unless surrenders are forthcoming.

We also declare a state of current neutrality with France which may be upheld if they remove the threat of war.

We also declare that the state of Belgium shall be liberated and left un-harmed.

The Government and Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire of The German Nation.

[Rodion Romanovich]

Official statement from Denmark:

If the Holy Roman Emperor brings us war for no more reason than that he fears our offer to mediate, protect justice and ensure a fair trial of the Elector of Brandenburg, then we see no reason why we should continue further negotiations with the Emperor. A strong coalition of Denmark, Brandenburg, Netherlands, France and Sweden stands ready to invade your heartlands as soon as you give enough proof that you will not tolerate justice and the tolerance of the Protestant faith. With your formal declaration of war upon yet another nation that has committed no other crime than seeking justice and offering to mediate in one of your conflicts, you have given enough reason for us to strike into your heartlands in full force, but we will still give you one more chance of recalling your statement, the outmost folly that it is.

==

Official statement from Denmark:

It has come to our attention that France has ordered the withdrawal of their representatives from the meeting we are holding in Copenhagen. We hope that this is not a sign that France is growing less tolerant of their Protestant minorities. Some of the Huguenot representatives have explained that they refuse to return to France given the recent actions from the French government, and they will be granted safety and new homes in Denmark, as will any other Huguenots who are threatened by the firm and intolerant French rule. The offer to France for lowered tolls through the Sound Straits will not be offered again, but the offer remains for the other nations attending the meeting.

[Marshal Murat]

Does a dog bite the hand it feeds? Why would Wladyslaw attack me, for blood is stronger than ink. Wladyslaw will be a fair and judicial ruler. If he is not, he will incur the wrath of the boyars. The boyars know that you are a boyar, you have said it yourself. No matter what titles you decline, the boyars know that you only seek to meet your ends. Those ends are the advancement of your family in the nation, giving titles to friends and fellows, dispersing land to whoever to wish to give it to. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. That is why Wladyslaw brings rights to the boyars, so they may have half the power in the nation, and Wladyslaw will not have absolute power, and will not absolutely be corrupted.

[Kagemusha]

Official statement of the Republic of Netherlands.

Has the Emperor gone mad? Why he declares war to Denmark and Netherlands when we are trying to help to resolve the crisis? We suggest that the Emperor will reconsider the issue again, we dont understand what kind of Casus Belli The Emperor has to declare war in this situation?

Embassador of Netherlands in Vienna

[Rodion Romanovich]

Official statement from Denmark:

Due to the necessity of reacting fast to the growing outer threats, Denmark and the Netherlands have formed a defensive alliance for 3 years. Any hostility towards either of the nations will be considered an attack on both of our nations. The Protestant Coalition negotiations will continue and this alliance will be incorporated within the Coalition terms as soon as they are settled when our meeting has been concluded.

Signed,
Christian IV, King of Denmark

[IrishArmenian]

Does a dog bite the hand it feeds? Why would Wladyslaw attack me, for blood is stronger than ink.

If I remember correctly, Sigismund, he was disowned and no longer a member of your family. You seem to contradict yourself here.
You have also said something along the lines of: Wladyslaw will not be a Polish puppet, yet Poland seems to be "the hand that feeds it" (Not the hand it feeds. Could you make up your mind about this?
If this was not a power play, I would remain Tsar and just sign a treatie. Obviously, there is something shady you have in mind. Why else would you endorse two usurpers, one of which is dead and the other is your son, for whom you cannot decide whether or not to disown him as per the contract or keep him in yiur family, therefore defaulting to me as Tsar.
On a much more friendly note, I hope we can both unite against the Holy Roman Emperor. If I am abusing my power, I don't want to know what Emperor Matthias is doing. He must be stopped! All who disagree with him are supposedly his enemies. If I take my main army to his land to assist my ally, Brandengburg, will you help supress uprisings? Matthias will come for you soon, for your deal with us, the Orthodox Rus. He believes he is mandated by God and as such shall fight until all his men are dead. You must help rid the world of the Matthias as soon as quickly. France too, take up arms against the Holy Roman Emperor.

[Marshal Murat]

Who gave him the opportunity the rule the Muscovites but the Boyars? They supported Dimitri, but then he died, and Wladyslaw became the candidate for the throne.
As per contract, he is still my son until he is elected. If he is not, then he will still be the son of the Commonwealth, and a boyar of Muscovy

In the contract you agreed to (pg 13, post 3) there is no discussion of any disownment.
If you are refering to (pg 12, post 11), you didn't agree to that. I am willing to disown him if he is elected, and he will become a citizen of Muscovy. I have not yet disowned him (if I have, please post where).
He is an Orthodox man, who has been baptized.

Wladyslaw has his own mind to make up, and he must follow the will of his heart and the will of the boyars. I no longer care if he would attack Poland, for we will defeat him. He follows the rule of the boyars, and this is the final decision of the Polish-Lithuanian crown. We no longer worry about if he will attack or not. You however have fought us every step, and have failed. We claim that you cannot rule correctly, or in the best interest of the boyars. Therefore, we are having this election, to decide if the boyars favor Vasili or Wladyslaw.

We in Poland will suffer no Russian cross the border. You have or had an ally in Sweden, send troops on their ships. I have no quarrel with the Holy Roman Emperor. I have a dispute with Brandenburg, but we are willing to dismiss it until a later time, or discuss it now. We will not attack, but will fight if we are attacked.

[Kagemusha]

Official statement of the Republic of 16 provinces of Netherlands

We will confirm the words of our Danish friends. Any attack against either is considered an attack against both of our countries.

Embassador of Netherlands in Copenhagen

[Franconicus]

Message from France

Louis XIII, King of France, invites all monarchs to the celebration of his wedding with the daughter of the Spanish King.

[Randarkmaan]

His supreme highness wishes to inform the King of France that he will be present in this wedding. The King will also provide a wedding gift for the King as a gesture of good will, a Janissary Mehter band (military music band) for the King's army.

PS: Giving foreign monarchs mehter bands actually happened, they are the reason European countries now have military bands, soon "everyone" wanted their own and they created their own bands as well.

[IrishArmenian]

If Poland is willing to postpone negotiations for the wedding, The Tsar will attend with his gift of Brookei hunting falcons. The Tsar looks forward to the merriment, unity and scrumptous delicacies.
The Rus will defend their allies and assist them in the terrible war that has been brought on them by the over-eager Emperor Matthias if Vasili is elected. The Tsar does not know Wladyslaw's stance against Matthias, yet hopes it is negative in light of recent years. Russia is taking arms with its brothers and hope that the rest of Europe feels compelled to rid the world of this scourge of a ruler!
As soon as the elections are over, Mikahil will take most of the main army and attack the so-called "Holy" Roman Empire, the location and way are obviously not shared for reasons of surprise.

[Incongruous]

The Imperial Government of the German Nation.

We hereby declare in light of the comments sounded by the pretender Vasili, that any Russ troop movemnts towards Germany will be considered an act of un-conditional and total war. We hope that diplomacy may steer us away from such dire measures.

[IrishArmenian]

Emperor, my only problem with you is your vicious attack on Brandneburg and now the Protestant Coalition. Other than that, you are doing a fine job, besides your siding with Poland against the Turks, who were not going to expand into your land, but merely crush the Polish, who were at the time, trying to put a puppet militarily (as opposed to now, they use diplomacy to place a puppet on the throne because they realized a war in Russia, by a foreign force cannot be compltely won. Sure, one could crush the Russian army, and even the Russian people, but the Russian winter is the deadliest of all, especially when one's supply lines are subject to those harsh conditions too).