17th century

[Rodion Romanovich]

Official statement from Denmark:

The King of Denmark invites the Protestant Coalition to another meeting to discuss the future of the Coalition, and it's plans in the nearest future. The meeting will take place in the autumn of 1614.

In the meantime, Denmark condemns the Polish actions towards Brandenburg and advices the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth to withdraw their troops and pay money corresponding to the upkeep of 5,000 mercenaries for a year to allow Brandenburg to repair the damages made. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth should also hand over the prisoners they took outside Königsberg and Memel to Brandenburg authorities. Prussia is the property of the elector of Brandenburg, as a vassal of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and he has been a loyal vassal of Poland. If the leader of the Commonwealth sees it fit to attack one of his vassals, what keeps him from attacking his other vassals?

Denmark also wishes to announce that she will use her entire fleet to clear the sound straits and the North Sea from pirates.

Finally, the King of Denmark wishes the new year to be a great year that sees success and prosperity for our friends, and the destruction of our foes!

[IrishArmenian]

How can Poland massacre Prussians while holding of a Russian Uprising?
A most intriuging paradox, yes, Sigismund?
Lord of Prussia and Brandenburg, Sigismund must react to this, for if he goes in with both, we will both have victory immediatley. If he commits, he risks the karge chance that the ost able of us will attack the Poles with unheard of ferocity while he has his whle army fighting the other. Sigismund's only true option is to make peace for the safety of his people, most notably his women, from my troops!

[Marshal Murat]

Statement from King Sigismund

The Commonwealth has the full right to bring a vassal back into line while they forment rebellion and war. The use of Polish vassal lands to train, equip, and provide troops for a war that Poland has NO INVOLVEMENT IN, it is tantamount to revolution. We are offended that the Branenbrugian Elector has used this land for his own goals, and not alerted the King and Sejm about this outlawry. We are neutral, and not one part of our land will be used for either Protestant of Catholic sides.
As such, we are disgusted that Denmark would suggest that Poland is somehow reponsible for this outlawry and bias that is not in the Commonwealth. Our nation is one that is not involved in this conflict. We approve of Calvinist, Protestants, Catholic, Russian Orthodox, and Muslims. We are not favoring any one religion over another.

As such, we formally protest the Protestant Coalition's obvious bias against our accepting society. We have Protestants here in the Commonwealth, and we ask that the Coalition accept an ambassador from the Commonwealth so that any issues that concern Protestants be addressed by the Commonwealth's ambassador and resolved.

[Franconicus]

The Marechal de France declares:

The French King has decided, that the differences between the Polish King and the Duke of Prussia are an internal affair. He will not care about it as long as no side asks for his moderation.

The French King also declares the Polish heir the rightful Tsar.

The French King has decided that France will not participate in the Danish meeting. He asks His Dutch neighbors to be agent for the French interests and to report Him after the meeting.

[Rodion Romanovich]

Official statement from Denmark:

It's widely known that the very legal noble revolt in the year of the Lord 1605 against the rule of King Sigismund was directed against his attempts to reduce the influence of the Sejm. To speak of having a right to "bring a vassal back in line" for no reason, if anything, must be taken as an indication that he is making the same mistake again. At first the attack was presented as a war on a Protestant, then the King declares acceptance of all religions, and suddenly the attack on one of our allies is presented as an attack on a vassal accused of some unspecified crime, rather than a war against the Protestant faith. Will you now, when you return to the Sejm, withdraw that statement and again tell them that it was in fact an attack on the Protestantism?

Denmark wishes to keep peace and order in the region, and since we have had good relations with the Commonwealth previously, and played - and still play - a crucial role in enabling the Commonwealth to sell their goods abroad, we deserve an explanation for why one of our allies (that we are acting as the protector of) was attacked for seemingly no reason. In this conflict so close to our homelands, it will be difficult for us to be netural, and we will soon be forced to take sides. The question is - which side should we choose? The side that was attacked and begs us for our help, or the side that attacks our ally, but has apparently forgotten what a problematic situation it puts us in, forcing us to choose sides between two countries that should both be our friends. The side that also abandoned us while we were at war, and made separate peace with our common enemy Sweden. That enemy is now our friend, but is still the enemy of the Commonwealth.

In the meantime while we await your response, Danish ships will assist Brandenburg in supplying the civilian Protestants in Königsburg and Memel and ensure their safety and upkeep stability of trade in the region. Denmark also offers Protestant refugees from Prussia to settle on Danish soil until the matter has been resolved.

[Marshal Murat]

B]King Sigismund of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
Concerning Prussia and Brandenburg[/B]


Prussia is a vassal of Poland. He is a vassal and has to submit to the rule of the King and the Sejm.
As such they are under our jurisdiction. This isn't a fight against Protestants, it is a fight against the use of Polish lands for a war that Poland considers outside of the realm of combat. We don't care if the Holy Roman Empire wins or loses this war, or if the Protestants are destroyed. We are concerned about our territory being used by any nation as a training ground for this war.

Some Brandenburg troops under training

.

This statement in the course of the war has revealed that the Brandenburg elector has used the vassal of Prussia as a training ground, far from the Holy Roman Empires control and jurisdiction.
Denmark, we aren't asking you to attack us, or defend us. We are asking that you provide for the war that you signed up for. Do not think that Brandenburg is a white sheep, and that we attacked them without reason. We have had information from honest Poles, stating this treasonous act against the Commonwealth.
I present to the Sejm, and the world, my report on the situation.
I was presented with information that the Elector of Brandenburg has used Prussia as a training ground for his soldiers in a war against the Holy Roman Empire. This war, a regrettable incident, has not involved Polish soldiers. We are not taking sides in this conflict, we are preserving the sanctity of Poland. If we allowed this use of land for a war that we consider beyond our needs or wants, then I consider this illegal. My quote...

War in Prussia
The invasion of Prussia is the right of the king to prevent the Protestants from using Polish territory to train troops to fight in this European war. We are disgusted that Brandenburg would use the land and peoples there-in for a highly suspicious and religiously driven war.

I am preventing the Polish nation from having to chose sides in this suspicious conflict. I am not declaring any religion false or bad. I am saying that the Protestant use of Prussia for military campaigns in Germany is something that the Crown doesn't want to occur. If the Holy Roman Empire tried to use a vassal in Poland for training, then we would have done the same.
Prussia is mine, a vassal nation that has been raped of her resources for a war that we aren't interested in. I am protecting my nation from the turmoil and religious conflict that has highlighted the recent months.
Do not believe that I will watch as parts of my Commonwealth are drawn into this war, piece by piece. We are neutral.
If the Protestant Coalition decides that this act of bringing Prussia back to the fold, and taking her resources from the war that Poland doesn't support, then we will be forced to reply in kind.
We do not want to kill Danes, Swedes, French, Dutch, or other nations over a purely internal matter. If Brandenburg had kept the war to her own territory then we wouldn't have this problem. I am disgusted and appaled that Brandenburg has considered this a war against Protestantism, and drawing in outside forces to combat my troops. This is a war to preserve Polish neutrality in this conflict.
I do not want Bradenburg to control this province and abuse her resources again. As such, I ask Prussians to lay down their arms and avoid further bloodshed. In Memel and Koeingsburg, we ask the citizens to open the gates to the Poles. Your neutrality in the conflict of Europe is assured, and you will be free to worship as you please. I am not forcing this war on Prussia and involving the nation in this conflict.
I state again that this war is an internal matter. We are preserving Polish neutrality and the citizenry from the harsh situation of war.

[Randarkmaan]

Official statement from his most illustrious majesty, Ahmad I, Sultan, Caliph and ruler of Constantinople:

"All jews and muslims who may remain in Iberia and who face religious persecution as an every day event, are welcome to come to the Ottoman Empire, here you will have sanctuary against the repressive despot residing on the Spanish throne."

Also he wishes all monarchs, who celebrate the New Year as according to the faulty Gregorian calendar, a very happy New Year!

[IrishArmenian]

As such they are under our jurisdiction. This isn't a fight against Protestants, it is a fight against the use of Polish lands for a war that Poland considers outside of the realm of combat. We don't care if the Holy Roman Empire wins or loses this war, or if the Protestants are destroyed. We are concerned about our territory being used by the Protestants as a training ground.

I apologise, good Sigismund, did you just contradict yourself in the same paragraph?
Indecision probably runs in your family, I can tell Russia's new Tzar-elect will be able .
Good King of France, why do you forsake me? The Boyars were bought out, and you hide as soon as the winds shift? At least the Sultan is still my brother.

[Marshal Murat]

What contradiction???

[Rodion Romanovich]

Official statement from Denmark:

All troops are always in training to stay fit. That the legal garrison troops of Prussia carried out training to stay fit can't be against any known law. However, we understand your concerns that Poland may be drawn into the Kaiser's war. Therefore, we will quickly liberate the cities that Brandenburg lost to the Kaiser, so that the troops in training can return to Brandenburg, and only their garrison troops will have to stay in Prussia. We will also give guarantees of military assistance in the case the Kaiser were to attack the Commonwealth. Thus there should be no reason to continue besieging these cities and pillage and burn among the Protestant civilians. As protectors of Brandenburg we also have to demand that the Commonwealth pays for the damages done so far.

[IrishArmenian]

Sigismund, you said specifically "This isn't a fight against Protestants" and then later said "used as Protestant Training ground". Wouldn't it be just as good to say either "This isn't a fight against Protestants...used as a Brandenburg Training Ground." or, be blunt "This is a fight against Protestants...used as a Protestant training ground."
What you said is either a contradiction, or it has Brandenburg only training Protestants in Prussia and training Catholics somewhere else, which seems a little bit stupid.

[SwordsMaster]

His Catholic Majesty the King of Spain declares valid the vote of the russian boyars, and recognises the polish Tsar of the Russias. He is also very disappointed in the russian nobility and their lack of honour and convictions in their choice to switch to a ruler that offered them more terrenal commdities. We hope that the new Tsar will restore honour into the court of the Third Rome.

His Catholic Majesty also recognises the war in Prussia as internal affair, and recognises the right of the King of Poland to ensure that his territory is used in the best interest of Poland.

[IrishArmenian]

I see my former friends have now deserted me.
No matter, the Sultan is still my brother.
Do you conform to Poland's wishes out of fear?
What is there to fear from them? It must be fear, there is no other answer. France and Spain are afraid of you, Sigismund, well done!

[SwordsMaster]

And you, Tsar, are allied with the heathen Turk! Do not dare to call the champions of Catholicism cowards least you wish to bring war again upon the peoples entrusted to your command. You cannot take back words, boyar, so be careful with what leaves your mouth.

[Marshal Murat]

Poland is disgusted that the rebel boyars are seeking to threaten and intimidate the Catholic nations of the world.
We in Poland, we are not playing along with your charade that this "training" is only to keep soldiers in wellness. This is maintenance, not any form of 'training'. Poland feels that, as such, it is an affair that is between two nations about an internal affair.
False Czar, we are fighting the use of land for training of Protestant troops. This would complicate our neutrality, and render our lands a battleground in this religiously driven war. To all Protestants, this is not a war against the Protestant religion! This is a war against the use of neutral land in support of this war! If I have not said this before, then I will say it again. If there were Catholics using Poland as a land to draw resources and troops from, the we would have acted exactly as we did before. This is a war against the Brandenburg use of our vassal Prussia as a land for the use in this war that we don't support.
In no way is this conflict involved in the war in Europe. We are not allowing ANY nation to use OUR SOVEREIGN TERRITORY for training of troops. This is construed by the Crown as an invasion of this territory, and will responded to by force.
We in the Commonwealth aren't quite sure that the Protestant Coalition will be able to achieve victory over the Kaiser in the Holy Roman Empire. We do not believe that you will be able to achieve complete victory so soon that we would leave Prussia.
Do not guarantee what you do not have, for war is strange and tumultuous.
We in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth are also lords over Prussia. Any damages done will be paid by the Commonwealth to the local owners, not to the Coalition. It is not our belief that all funds will go directly to the Prussians who we also protect. Our vassalage will be punished by war for her complacentcy in this use as training grounds, and then provided for so that she may provide again to the Commonwealth of Poland.

[IrishArmenian]

And you, Tsar, are allied with the heathen Turk! Do not dare to call the champions of Catholicism cowards least you wish to bring war again upon the peoples entrusted to your command. You cannot take back words, boyar, so be careful with what leaves your mouth.

The Heathen Turk?
I believe the King of France, who in my mind is much more wise and open minded than you, has allied himself with the Ottomans. I guess there is some ignorant Hapsburg blood in you after all!

[Kagemusha]

Announcement of The Republic of Netherlands about the Prussian affair.

The Republic is worried about the situation at Prussia and calls for both sides to stop the incident. We understand that the Commonwealth is worried about Brandenburgs areas in Poland producing troops against the Kaiser,while Poland is neutral in that conflict. We see that the matter is internal to Poland.But we dont think that attacking Brandenburg becouse of that is a valid method. If Poland and Brandenburg are intrested The Republic of Netherlands could act as mediator between your two powers. We think that this matter could be solved lot better in negotiations table rather then field of battle. Netherlands have had good relations with both of your respective powers.And we hope that you could accept immediate ceace fire and start negotiations on neutral ground as soon as possible. If you accept our offer please tell it here in Public and send negotiators to Amsterdam.

With respect.

The Republic of Netherlands

[Marshal Murat]

I am willing to agree to a temporary ceasefire as long as the Brandenburg Elector sends no more troops to the region. I will withdraw my troops from that location if he agrees.

[Lord Winter]

Sweden suggest that Poland listens to her own advice and stops interfering in the affairs of Vasii, the rightful sovereign of Russia. Brandenburg also has our continued support in her hour of need, against both the polish and the German oppressors.

Gustav Adolf II

[Patriarch of Constantinople]

Are there any nations I could be? I want to play.

[Marshal Murat]

Vasili is an external affair that we are assisting the boyars and the boyar elected ruler with.
If it were internal, then we would have control over the Russians, we do not exert that control.

We also kindly ask you to stay away from Riga, where you constantly face defeat. Please withdraw.
OCC-Its King of Altantis Brandenburg right???

[SwordsMaster]

The Heathen Turk?
I believe the King of France, who in my mind is much more wise and open minded than you, has allied himself with the Ottomans. I guess there is some ignorant Hapsburg blood in you after all!

I cannot make war on you for you are already defeated by your own people, boyar, and you are like a petty dog barking at an elephant, frustrated and shielding yourself in your fear. So keep barking from the dark basement of your fortress. You are powerless.

____________________________________________

The ministry of foreign relations wishes to announce a defensive alliance between the Commonwealth of Poland and Lithuania and the Crown of Spain. Together we will be better able to face the challenges of this turmoiled time. This does not mean involvement in any wars that our countries are already involved in.

[Vladimir]

Very interesting . Consider this minor Italian Prince Impressed . I'm also looking forward to the Dutch "suprise".

Edit: Swordsmaster, excellent job with the Spanish! It's good that you're not stupidly floundering as they were.

[Rodion Romanovich]

@Patriarch of Constantinople: New players are allowed to join only if someone who is currently playing drops out. The queue for joining is now: Warluster, Csar, Patriarch of Constantinople

@Marshal Murat: yes, King of Altantis is Brandenburg

[SwordsMaster]

Still a lot of people who haven't submitted replies?

Ignoramus and Kagemusha did you receive my PM?

EDIT: Thanks Vladimir! I do what I can

[Rodion Romanovich]

Yes, quite a lot who haven't submitted yet - Christmas and New Year holidays and stuff I assume...

[King Kurt]

Message from the Court of King James

His Highness sends belated festive greetings and felicitations for the New Year. The court of King James was struck by illness over the holidays, but the little princess has recovered from the chicken pox now!!

King James thanks the King of Spain for his help in resolving the problem in Ireland. England will recognise the Free city of Cork and has already opened trading relations. The field army will withdraw to barracks, save for a ring of outposts around Cork. These will be manned by a small force who will liase closely with the forces of Cork. All reprisals against the local population will stop.

King James welcomes the stance taken by France, Spain and the Netherlands against piracy and commits its naval might to the fight against this scourage of the sea.

King James calls upon the Emperor to come to his senses and cease this senseless bloodshed which threatens the peace of Europe. As the only major power currently not involved, King James offers himself as a moderator as a last ditch attempt to bring peace to this troubled region.

God save the King

signed this day by King James the First of England and Sixth of Scotland

[IrishArmenian]

Vasili wishes to inquire "Christmas already? It is not 6 January yet."
OOC:I did happen to celebrate the Western Christmas, with my Catholic father.
IC: Vasili drank far too much Vodka with the wife on New Years. The true Tzar gets headaches just thinking of it.
King James, what is your stance on Poland's brain-dead little puppet?

[Marshal Murat]

The Tsar was elected by the boyars, representing their interests in human form. If anything he is boyar puppet!
Its history, rebel Vasili, and I'm sorry your a sorry loser. If your wanted to be heard and your ideas used, then you should have stayed with the Duma and voiced it to the rightful Tsar. Instead you've run to the boundaries of Russia, propping yourself up with all this false pagentry.

Wladyslaw is the Tsar. France has recognized him as ruler, and no doubt the Spanish have also recognized them as Tsar. Your petty hawing is disgusting.

[Rodion Romanovich]

Not yet submitted:
BRANDENBURG, ENGLAND, FRANCE, HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE, NETHERLANDS, VENICE

So I think I'll have to wait a bit longer until next chapter can come