Orders and reports thread

[TinCow]

1144 Continued

Duke von Saxony's victory was resounding and the sack of Magdeburg added a significant sum to the Imperial treasury. He was unable to destroy the rebels which appeared near the castle, but they shall be eliminated next year.

There has been further news from Dijon. An Imperial agent was immediately dispatched to the area. He uncovered information from French merchants who were traveling in the area that revealed the identity of the assassin who slew Count Sigismund der Stolze. His name is Gauchier le Gris and he was dispatched by the King of France!

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Upon hearing this news, the Swabian Household Army immediately began scouring the nearby farms and villages for the devil. They surrounded him as he attempted to flee back to France. A regiment of Swabian knights finally caught up with the man. He was an evil being and deserved death, but even I shudder at the rumors of what was done to him. I cannot not put such an agonizing and horrendous death into words.

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In the east, our diplomat in Russia again attempted to secure an alliance with the Orthodox heathens. Once again they refused, but they have repeated their baffling offer of a monetary gift. The Reich was again enriched by their charity.

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Princess Elsebeth came of age in Florence. Out of respect for the passing of Count Sigismund der Stolze, the Kaiser has ordered that her wedding to Count von Kassel is to be postponed until next year.

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Due to the large income the Reich received this year, construction was begun in nearly every city in the Empire. Several Counts still have not provided me with build orders for their domains. As such, I am exercising a free hand to build what I believe is proper in those places. Construction is as follows:

Hamburg - Conversion to Large Town
Stettin - Conversion to Town
Magdeburg - Drill Square
Milan - Brothel (*This was Count von Kassel's suggestion. I would have preferred a Church, but Otto will be Duke next year, so I shall accept his wishes on this matter, even though I am still the Steward of Bavaria.*)
Genoa - Land Clearance
Metz - Town Guard
Bern - Town Hall
Dijon - Land Clearance

(*Hmph... let's see them complain NOW about having too little money and nothing being built! All but four of the Reich's settlements are involved in construction as we speak, and two of those which are not are my own Nuremburg and Count von Kassel's Innsbruck. If this is not good enough for them, I may consider having an exorcism performed on the Diet meeting hall.*)

The excessive income this year has also allowed me to devote firm efforts to converting all city garrisons to locally funded militia and to provide further recruitment for the Franconian Household Army. All recruitments are as follows:

1 Armored Spearmen & 2 Sergeant Spearmen in Hamburg (for Franconia)
2 units of Franconian Household Army being retrained in Magdeburg.
2 Spear Militias in Genoa
2 Spear Militias in Bologna
1 Spear Militia in Dijon
2 Town Militias in Florence
2 Town Militias in Metz

In addition, I have allocated funds for the recruitment of three new agents. A priest in Prague to convert the Orthodox heathens in the east, a diplomat in Vienna to open diplomatic negotiations with the Turks and Egyptian blasphemers, and an assassin in Frankfurt to eliminate any further murders that France sends against us.

Other developments concerning the Household Armies are as follows:
The previously mentioned forces of the Austrian army continue to march to Vienna. A group of Mailed Knights has also been dispatched to Vienna to join the army.
The Bavarian Household Army is being formed. 1 regiment of Armored Spearmen and 2 regiments of Sergeant Spearmen marched south from Innsbruck, where they met up with Count Otto von Kassel and some men he brought with him from Bologna. The Count is now in command of the Bavarian Household Army, though it is still vastly understrength. The remainder of the Bavarian force will come from the 3 regiments of Peasant Crossbowmen who are marching from Staufen, and a group of Mounted Sergeants who are riding from Metz. It is essential that these forces combine soon, as the French will surely break through the Alpine fort soon and move into Northern Italy. With the Swabian Household Army leaderless and concerned with hunting down the assassin, they failed to move south this year.

Word has reached me that the Kaiser and his army have pursued a group of rebels to the border with Rome, where he has cornered them by the sea. I await news of their destruction...

(Scribblings at the bottom of the page indicate that the following lines were added in haste and frustration.)

The Kaiser has cleanly vanquished the rebels...

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..but he has moved his army onto Papal soil in the process! I have received a formal complaint from Pope Gregory himself about this matter. What does the Kaiser think he is doing down there?!

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[TinCow]

1146

*At last the year of cruelty and assassination is behind us. With God's grace, this year will bring peace and prosperity.*


The first news I received this year came from north and south, but concerned our navies in both regards. In the north, the Poles chased down the remnants of blockade fleet as it was sailing for the safety of the port of Hamburg. They were greatly damaged and forced to seek shelter in a small cove. Instead of safety though, they found pirates and they are presumed to have died to the last man. In the south, the Venetians built 2 ships to break out blockade of Venice. With our 4 to oppose them, victory was certain. Yet... somehow... the Venetian ships were victorious! Not only victorious, they sank our entire fleet!

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More bad news arrived from the Church. It seems Cardinal Peter Scherer, already in poor health, has succumbed to the peace of death. His holy guidance of the Reich will be sorely missed. Not only have we lost a Cardinal, the Reich no longer has a Bishop Preferati to stand for Pope at the next election. A Venetian priest has been chosen to replace Cardinal Scherer in the College.

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Perhaps as the first demonstration of our new loss of influence in Rome, the Pope has given us a discouraging order. We have been ordered to cease our war with Poland, under threat of excommunication! I do not envy the man who has to break this news to Duke von Saxony.

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The Venetian sun seems to be in the ascendancy. On top of securing one of their own to replace our Cardinal, they have negotiated a peace with our Sicilian allies. This would not be so bad, if it were not for the fact that the Milanese refused our offer for a ceasefire! I do not understand this reaction. I had been assured that they sought peace and would look upon such an offer as being very generous, yet they refused! Our diplomat shall try to approach a more reasonable Milanese leader next year about this matter.

Yet, with all the bad news, there is some good. The Council of Nobles is pleased that we have blockaded Cagliari for many years now and have awarded us 1,000 florins for our efforts.

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Our Russian friends have continued to be generous, though their generosity has been steadily decreasing. As much as I enjoy this extra income, the diplomat in Russia simply must depart to meet with a passing English envoy. There is other work to be done and I am somehow feeling wrong for accepting so many gifts from the Russians for no explainable reason. I almost feel like I am being bribed, and I will not allow it to continue any longer.

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I have been informed that the final stones have been laid on the outer curtain wall of the fortress at Staufen. I was perhaps a bit hostile on this matter in the Diet, but now that the project is complete, I admit that its benefits are significant. As a peace offering to Prinz Henry for his wisdom on this matter, I have ordered a new Archery Range to be built there, in accordance with his wishes. The full construction list for this year is as follows:

Staufen - Archery Range
Florence - Stone Wall
Bologna - Market
Stettin - Town Watch

It is only appropriate that the first recruits from Staufen, including a group of Dismounted Feudal Knights, be allocated to Swabia. The Swabian Household Army is lacking in infantry, so 2 regiments of Sergeant Spearmen are being recruited for them alongside the Knights.

Prinz Henry himself finally reached the army this year and it is on the move and preparing for action. It will move south to block the French next year after it has been reinforced with fresh infantry. I wish I could send them into the offensive against the French forces, but Edict 5.12 forbids this.

Duke Leopold has been frustrated with the slow movement of the recruits dispatched to him. He has ridden out and met them in the field. His superior military knowledge will surely allow them to move faster from now on. The entire army will reach Vienna next year and will begin the march south on Zagreb.

In Franconia, Duke von Saxony finally chased down the rebels who had eluded him last year. He is now returning to Magdeburg to assemble to full might of the Franconian Household Army for the first time.

In Italy, Count Otto von Kassel has been trapped in the Alps by a Venetian attack force that appears to be bound for Milan. I am awaiting word of his attack. Hopefully he will be successful, for he has a wedding to attend afterwards!

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Count von Kassel has been victorious with only light casualties! He has executed the remaining prisoners, completely gutting Venetian power in Italy in the process. While I will not say that I approve of such treatment of Christians, I suppose they deserve no better since their chosen leader has been excommunicated by the Pope. Woe to those who defy the Church.

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It is time for the Royal Wedding! For the first time in many decades, Bavaria will have a Duke! It is a time to rejoice!

[GeneralHankerchief]

Kaiser Heinrich:

If I may interrupt for a minute. Otto von Kassel and Princess Elsebeth have married.

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My congratulations to both. Otto von Kassel is now Duke of Bavaria.

-edit- As a wedding present, I hereby allocate Genoa to Bavaria.

[TinCow]

Continuation of 1146

I will not recount the events which have led to our war with Pope Gregory and inevitable excommunication. They are well known to everyone by this point, so I shall move on to more recent matters.

The Kaiser left a token force to guard Rome and immediately moved north towards Pope Gregory and Duke von Kassel. For his part in this madness, the Duke has gone west and gathered the remainder of the Bavarian Household Army around him.

Sensing an impending, unavoidable riot and the coming conflict between the Kaiser and the Pope, Jobst von Salza left Milan to return to his homelands of Swabia.

As for myself, I did what little I could, by travelling to Metz to help the Swabians supervise their border provinces.

Though it is blood money, the money gained from the sack of Rome must be put to use. Perhaps it can be cleansed if used to protect the faithful of the Reich. Further construction due to the additional funds is as follows:

Rome - Wall Repair & Town Hall
Vienna - City Watch
Innsbruck - Stables

I have devoted much of the money to recruiting many more regiments to defend the Reich. We will surely need them in the time to come. Recruitments are as follows:

2 Town Militia in Genoa
2 Spear Militia in Bologna
2 Spear Militia in Bern
1 Armored Spearmen, 1 Peasant Crossbowmen, & 1 Mailed Knights in Innsbruck, to act as further strength for the Austrian Household Army
1 Armored Spearmen, 1 Peasant Archers, & 1 Sergeant Spearmen in Hamburg, to act as further strength for the Franconian Household Army
1 Spear Militia & 1 Crossbow Militia in Frankfurt

As the year ended, Pope Gregory's vast army laid siege to Genoa. The garrison was quickly strengthened when word of the Kaiser's attack on Rome reach them, but I fear they will not be able to hold the city for long.

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The French army in the Alps has finally starved out the brave men who were manning the fort. They have surrendered it to the enemy, who have made the place their own.

1148

The year began with a bad omen. A small Hungarian army has crossed the border near Vienna. It appears that they intend to take advantage of the Kaiser's damnation. Duke Leopold was passing by Vienna with the Austrian Household Army on his way to Zagreb. He wisely took up position on the bridge north of the city to prevent the Hungarians from crossing it, should they prove to be hostile.

As expected, uncontrolled rioting erupted in Milan, killing thousands of commoners and damaging several of the cities structures. Two regiments of peasant archers from Bologna have been sent to Milan to help the militia restore order, but several more regiments of militia will have to be recruited hastily if they are to have any hope of succeeding.

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A French spy was found in Dijon and escaped before the militia could apprehend him. It appears that our foes will continue to use dishonorable methods to attack us.

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Jobst von Salza has taken over command over the Dijon garrison. He is being watchful for French assassins, and will be supported by the nearby Imperial spies and assassin.

Prinz Henry has joined the fresh infantry from Staufen to the Swabian Household Army and has begun the march on the French army in the Alpine fort.

Duke Otto von Kassel has adopted a Bavarian named Gerhard Steffen. As would be expected, he has absolutely no regard for the Lord. Gerhard Steffen is serving with Duke von Kassel in the Bavarian Household Army, which is waiting for the Kaiser's force to come farther north before closing on the Pope.

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Count von Hamburg has departed Magdeburg to supervise Hamburg's first years as a city.

Construction this year is as follows:
Nuremburg - Stone Wall
Hamburg - Grain Exchange
Prague - Leather Tanner
Milan - Church
Frankfurt - Communal Farming
Dijon - Leather Tanner
Bern - Communal Farming

Recruitment is as follows:
Bern - 1 Spear Militia & a priest to deal with rising heresy.
Milan - 3 Town Militia, let us hope they are enough to quell the madness
Hamburg - 1 Town Militia

*May God have mercy on the Reich.*

[TinCow]

Continuation of 1148:

Pope Gregory has assaulted and taken Genoa! He moved faster than any of us could have anticipated. The large militia force in the city proved totally ineffective and the Papal forces suffered few casualties.

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1150:

Duke Leopold's firm stance on the bridge by Vienna has deterred the Hungarians, and they have returned their army to their own lands. Duke Leopold has begun the march on Zagreb

Order has been restored in Milan.

A large Polish army has been sighted near Prague. However, Scouts in the nearby watchtowers report that it is composed of many peasants. As such, Duke Leopold will continue his march on Zagreb and Jonas von Mahren will see to the defense of the city. He has recruited two regiments of mercenary spearmen to aid in the defense of the city. Further militia recruitment will also be done.

Prinz Henry is marching on the French Alpine fort.

Duke Otto von Kassel and Kaiser Heinrich had a difficult decision to make. If they united their forces, the Pope would have time to repair the walls of Genoa and recruit more men. If they besieged Genoa immediately, they will be forced to do so with separated forces. They chose to begin the siege immediately. Duke von Kassel's Bavarian Household Army is now besieging the city from the north. Kaiser Heinrich's Army will arrive to besiege the city from the east next year.

The Milanese have firmly refused another attempt at a ceasefire. These negotiations are pointless and I will not attempt them again.

Gunther von Kastilien has taken command of the Franconian Household Army and has begun the march on Thorn.

There has been much skulduggery near Dijon. A French spy and a highly skilled French assassin have been detected there. Our Imperial spy in the region was killed while discovering this information and our Imperial assassin failed in his attempt to eliminate his vastly superior counterpart.
Jobst von Salza has prudently moved to Metz until this French murderer can be disposed of.

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Count von Kastilien has a new son by the name of Fritz and Jobst von Salza has a new wife named Heidindrodis Godwinson.

Construction is as follows:
Stettin - Grain Exchange
Magdeburg - Practice Range
Rome - Leather Tanner

Recruitment is as follows:
Prague - 2 Spear Militia
Hamburg - 1 Spear Militia
Magdeburg - 1 Mailed Knights
Stettin - 1 Town Militia
Milan - 1 Spear Militia & 1 Crossbow Militia
Frankfurt - Assassin
Dijon - Spy
Staufen - 1 Dismounted Feudal Knights

As the year ended, news came that a small Polish force had somehow slipped through our borders and besieged Frankfurt!

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1152:

Duke von Saxony has taken a small force from Magdeburg and is marching to relieve Frankfurt.

The Polish force near Prague has begun its march on the city, though it is not yet under siege.

Gunther von Kastilien and the Franconian Household Army have advanced into Polish territory. The siege of Thorn is expected to begin next year.

Duke Leopold has begun the siege of Zagreb.

Kaiser Heinrich has joined the siege of Genoa.

Prinz Henry has besieged the French inside the Alpine fort.

Near Dijon, our Imperial assassin has once again failed to kill his counterpart.

In foreign affairs, Hungary has refused our alliance offer firmly. However, an exchange of maps was arranged. News has come of a war between Egypt and the Turks.

Count von Kastilien has another son! He has named this one Peter. Gerhard Steffen has married Kungund von Austria.

For my part, I eliminated some more rebels near Dijon. The local peasants once again wished to honor me. This time I humored them. I am sure I will get many marriage proposals from local women from now on, but I have made a vow of celibacy and will refuse them.

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Construction this year:
Hamburg - Town Hall
Florence - Paved Roads & Merchants Guild
Prague - Town Hall
Bologna - Church

Recruitments this year:
Prague - 2 Town Militia
Magdeburg - 1 Armored Spearmen
Stettin - 1 Town Militia

1154:

Pope Gregory has reconciled with Venice and they are no longer excommunicated. Hungary and Sicily are once again at war. The English want nothing to do with us and will not agree to an alliance. I fear our war with the Pope will prevent us from any friendly relations with any Catholic states.

With the Franconian Household Army deep within their territory, the Poles have recalled the army that was advancing on Prague. It appears to be heading to confront Count von Kastilien outside Thorn.

I have allowed the Merchants Guild to begin operating out of Nuremburg.

Duke von Saxony has chased the Poles from the walls of Frankfurt and trapped them near the river. I await news of the battle...

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...he has prevailed and the Imperial capital (and the Diet with it) has been saved! We all owe Duke von Saxony our sincere thanks.

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I now await word of Prinz Henry's assault on the Alpine fort...

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...the Prinz has retaken the fort and wiped out the French invaders, though many good Swabian men died in the assault. A small contingent has been left behind to maintain the fort, and Henry has begun the march north towards Rheims. Staufen will be ordered to prepare reinforcements, including the Reich's first Pavise Crossbowmen, for the Swabian Household Army as it passes by.

When news of the Prinz's approach reached Dijon, the garrison became greatly concerned. The Imperial assassins sent to dispose of the French murder had failed again. With the Prinz passing so close by, he would surely make a tempting target for the Frankish devil. In desperation, the entire garrison began to comb the fields around Dijon. Though there were only seven regiments, the river and the city itself limited the area in which the man could hide. Finally, after man hours of searching, he was cornered and slain in a farmhouse by the north gate of the city. Imperial spies will continue to keep a watchful eye for further assassins.

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I now await word of Duke Leopold's assault on Zagreb. It is time for the House of Austria to repay the Venetians for many years of treachery and bloodshed!

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Duke Leopold assaulted the city at night, bypassing the regiments waiting to reinforce the city. He has pushed those same regiments some distance from the city and is now waiting for the remainder of the Austrian Household Army to catch up next year before advancing on Venice in accordance with Edict 5.26.

In the north, Count von Kastilien is leading the Franconian Household Army against a small Polish force outside Thorn. With luck, he may be able to completely destroy the army and the Thorn garrison which is arriving to aid them. If this happens, there will be no one left to defend the castle and he will be able to walk right in through the undefended gates. I await word of the results.

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[GeneralHankerchief]

Kaiser Heinrich:

Rome is now capital of the Reich.

This will be made official once I assault Genoa.

[TinCow]

Continuation of 1154 :

Count von Kastilien has successfully driven off the Poles and cleared the road to Thorn. Unfortunately, a large nurmber of Polish soldiers escaped during the battle and they have secured the fortress at Thorn against attack. It will require several years of work to build sufficient siege equipment to overcome the two ringwalls.

All the Reich waits in anticipation of the final confrontation between Kaiser Heinrich and Pope Gregory. May God have mercy on their souls.

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