Duchy of Franconia

[Jalf]

I would rather convert Hamburg than Stettin to a city.
Hamburg has a much greater potential for trade, while Stettin is little more than a stockade placed in the middle of no man's land. According to the surveys and maps I have been able to find, there is almost nothing of value in the region. That city will never become a source of income for us, it is not even particularly fertile, and would grow slowly, further limiting its potential as a city. I suggest we keep it as a castle, and instead turn Hamburg into a city.

Regarding defense, I doubt that will be a problem at all. Stettin and Magdeburg are both very close by, and we can have reinforcements sent to Hamburg in a matter of days. And if we do end up at war with the Danes, I imagine we would be on the offense. They have only one city in the area, and given the chance, it would make a very nice addition to the Reich. Aarhus is a big city with a lot of trade potential, and it's easily defensible from the rest of Scandinavia.

If we end up at war with the Danes, I suggest we take Aarhus at least, which means Hamburg will be safe even as a city.
And if we stay at peace with them? Hamburg will also be safe, city or not.

[Kagemusha]

I have also been thinking of the trade opportunities taking Magdeburg can offer to us and think that if Magdeburg is developed enough and the honourable counts agree. We should indeed change our Sea bound castles Hamburg and Stettin into cities. Specially in the case if Count Von Kastillien would be succesfull in taking Thorn,which would give us a stronghold in the East.

[Jalf]

Once again, I suggest we consider Stettin carefully. As you may remember, I spent a few years in the castle garrison there... If you can call it a garrison. If you can call the wooden shack there a castle.

The place is a dump, and for the life of me, I can't imagine any way to make the city particularly profitable or prosperous. Perhaps I just lack the experience to see the opportunities clearly, but the area is not particularly fertile, it is one of our sparsest populated regions, and there aren't even any noteworthy trade resources. The place is useless as a city, and useless for trade purposes. Even if it was converted to a city, and even if we ignored the hopeless trade prospects, it would take eternities for the city to reach even average size.

As far as I can see, the only reasonable use for the place is as a castle. That does not require trade resources, and it does not require a large population. And if Hamburg is converted to a city, we may need nearby sources of good soldiers for quick reinforcements. Training soldiers is one of the only activities that can be done effectively in a deserted mudhole.

However, taking Thorn would definitely be worthwhile.

That leaves the question of Magdeburg. The city has no naval access, which limits its trade potential. But at least it has some trade resources in the region, and it has a much larger population than Stettin. So it would at least be acceptable as a city, even if it won't ever become a goldmine.
But it could also work as a castle, supplying troops to the rest of Franconia. I suspect our financial situation would require a city rather than a castle though, especially if we keep Stettin a castle.

[Kagemusha]

Those are all good points also Von Mahren and i fully regognice that Hamburg is a natural center of trade,while Stettin has always been somewhat periferia. Let us hear what Count of Stettin,Von Kastillien has to say about it. I still believe that if properly nurtured Stettin,which has only been known so far from its amount of heathens could be turned into a good supporting city for Reichs Baltic Sea trade,specially if we would build proper sea trading facilities into it.

[Kagemusha]

Franconian Electors. Im happy to inform you that Magdeburg has been taken and it has facilities to build all the basic troop types we need for our armies. Also Count Von Hamburg has been knighted,so now it is my time to concentrate on the Ducal affairs and your time to concentrate on fighting the enemies of the Franconia. Once our army has been refitted,Count Von Kastillien is ordered to lead the attack towards Thorn. Counts Von Kastillien and Von Hamburg.I urge you both to order the start of changing the castles of Hamburg and Stetting into Cities.The Chancellor cant act without your orders.

[Dutch_guy]

A messenger has been sent, and is riding as we speak.

[Kagemusha]

God damned! Our plans have been hampered by the holy father. Just as we were getting our Ducal army together,we have been forbidden to attack the Polish. In my opinion this means establishing a defensive posture and braking parts of the Ducal army to protect Hamburg and Stettin. Gentlemen,opinions?