Invaders from the East: A French AAR

**Cecil XIX** · 09-03-2007, 00:16

It is a dark time for Europe, a continent on the brink of destruction.

When the Mongols arrived in Russia, none were prepared. They swept eastward with an unstoppable power that made even the greatest agnostic view them as an instrument of Satan. Neither the Russians nor the Byzantines could stand against them, and Orthodox Christianity was crushed underneath the hooves of a million horses. But they would not stop there, as the Kingdoms of Poland, Hungary, and even Denmark fell in turn. Even the Holy Roman Empire could not stand against them, and they surrendered themselves to the Mongols to serve as their vassals. When the Mongols came none were prepared, and now they rule all of Europe east of France and Italy.

But if Christianity is facing extinction, Islam is on the brink. The Timurids were their demons, and they were no less terrible. The Egyptians were conquored utterly and the Turks pressed to their farthest reaches, doomed to be picked apart by the twin vultures from the east. And yet all is not quite lost, for there still stand noble Christian Kingdoms capable of bring battle to the pagan hordes.

England has subdued Scotland and Wales and is at peace; from their island they are in the enviable position of being able to launch attacks on the mainland at will.

Portugal has subjugated the Kingdoms of Leon and Castille, fulfilled the Reconquista, and unified Iberia under their rule. They face no immidiate threat from the east, and with the Moors in Africa swearing fealty they should be able to develop a rich land, well able to resist invasion.

His Holiness has not been idle either. In the face of this existential threat to Christianity he has chosen to expand his temporal power, and now rules most of Italy while acting as a barrier to the Timurids in Africa. He has even allied with the heathen Turks, a true sign of how desperate things are.

And then there is the Kingdom of France, which has just finished fighting it's own existential threat over the past two centuries...

**Cecil XIX** · 09-03-2007, 00:46

It began in the fourteenth century. Angered at the constant fighting between his nation and his fellow Catholics, King Poncet the Mad hatched a plan to move the entire nation of France to Asia Minor. The French were an idealistic and noble people, and most nobles viewed the idea as the ultimate crusade. The plan involved sailing to Antioch with the French Royal Family and the largest army that could fit on the fleet, conquering the city, and from their and the nearby Castle at Adana they would forge a new, French, Christian kingdom in Asia Minor and the Middle East with an eye to one day return and exact vengeance on the Portuguese and the Germans who had vexed them so. As Poncet marshaled his forces, he sold most of the infrastructure in France, leaving only a skeleton crew behind in each city. As the plan was carried out, the Portuguese took Toulouse and Bordeaux; the Germans took Rheims and Caen. Paris fell in 1310; Gautier the Saint and Guion Cottaz died defending it. Only Rennes, Angers and Marseille remained in French hands. Finally, in 1314 the King assembled his army at Marseille. As the oldest, he elected to stay behind with the soldiers that could not fit onboard and keep Marseille in French hands as long as possible. Thus, three members of the Royal family departed that day: Anseau, Poncet’s first cousin once removed, Luquin de Neufville his first cousin-in-law, and his brother-in-law Alixandre the Mean. They left with France’s last full army, and sailed for Adana.

They were immediately assaulted by four Portuguese fleets, and sunk. Poncet was forced to swear France as a vassal state to Milan, making peace with Germany and giving three French nobles a chance to reach Adana by land. But the Adana was taken by Muslims, and they were forced to return to Marseilles. Unfortunately the people of Marseilles were tired of Poncet’s madness and kicked the French army out. Poncet was forced to lead his forces northeast to what remained of the French kingdom at Rennes and Angers, defeating a Portuguese army along the way. Once they arrived, Poncet and his relatives traveled around their much shrunk domain, constructing watch towers along the border. Tragically, in 1356 they were ambushed by bandits towards the end of their trip, and Poncet was killed securing the escape of the rest. Clement de Neufville, his first cousin once removed, became King. He soon switched France from being a vassal of Milan to a vassal of Portugal, so that France could be at peace. That being done, he began building up the infrastructure in the city of Rennes and the Castle at Angers. Despite an outbreak of the black death, France was able to restore part of it’s military and industrial capacity.

But Frances troubles were about to begin anew. Portuguese assassins descended upon the French royal family, taking the life of Rogier de Poitiers, son-in-law of Luquin de Neufville, in 1406. Immediately afterwards, a Portuguese army lay siege to Angers. Fortunately it was spotted by the watchtowers, and Martin de Bouillon was able to raise three additional companies of archers to help counter the threat. Not only that, King Clement took steps of his own and led Richart le Brun and Gauchier, his second and first cousins once removed to lift the siege. The French and the Portuguese clashed in 1412, with the French winning decisively.

But the Portuguese were not finished. King Clement was assassinated in 1414, and Gauchier in 1416. King Richart le Brun and Prince Martin de Bouillon were all that remained until Richart’s sister Dete married a French Noble named Gawain Xavier. Things were peaceful until 1428, when the excommunication of The Holy Roman Emperor gave King Richart a chance. He dispatched an army led by Gawain immediately, and Normandy was reclaimed from Germany. Then, in 1438, Germany was made into a vassal state of Portugal.

Two of France’s three great enemies were now unified. Individually they were both larger and able to field more soldiers and spend more money. But this size came with problems of its own. Germany had to deal with England and Denmark, while Portugal still had problems with Milan.

It was not long before Richart was able to take Bordaeux, though the Portuguese contested it vigorously. Unfortunately providing Caen and Bordaeux with garrisons was becoming too expensive, and Richart was forced to choose a city as his next target. It was also necessary to sell off the siege works, cannon making, and horse breeding facilities of Bordaeux in order to raise the necessary troops. He left Noel de Marigny, newly adopted by Prince Martin as a member of the Royal family, and moved west to Dijon. Now in 1478 Dijon too is taken. But the constant attempts on Richart’s life had finally taken their toll, and he was now quite mad. This is especially tragic since Martin and Gawain have already been driven completely insane by Portuguese and German assassins. King Richart is still somewhat functional, but for him there is nowhere to go but down. Only Noel de Marigny remains of sound mental health. Regardless, Richart presses on and takes Marseille in 1490. Portugal is now sending waves of armies through France, but curiously they march to Italy to fight the Papacy.

All the while that this has been going on, Portuguese and German assassins have continued their relentless assault on the French royal family. So far they have done nothing by drive the royal family insane with paranoia, but recently they have claim more victories: In 1496 Gawain Xavier, and Prince Martin’s firstborn son, Estienne de Bouillon. If Prince Martin were not already detached from the world of reality, this may have tipped him over. Fortunately his second son Jacques has also come of age, and wisely decided he it may not be prudent to drink sociably at this time.

And in 1502, King Richart finally falls to an assassins blade. It is a tragic day; King Richart was great general, well proven by his liberation of Bordeaux, Dijon and Marseilles. Perhaps some solace can be found in the fact that he will now be able to witness the restoration of France from Heaven with a clear mind. In any case, his army continues without him, and liberates Rheims from the Holy Roman Empire. By chance, the Emperor Matthias himself is there and he meets a brave end before the day is over. Now Thierry de Bouillon, third son of King Martin the Mad, has been put in charge or raising a new army and taking Toulouse, forever closing off the Iberian peninsula from France. This is accomplished in 1506.

In 1512, France was on the verge of unification. Though the Portuguese besieged Angers, they were beaten back by King Martin the Mad. Sadly, King Martin was assassinated shortly thereafter. Now King Jacques has sent his brother, Prince Thierry, to round up the garrison at Angers and pave the way to Paris. Angers will soon be converted into a city.

King Jacques was assassinated shortly after giving the order. Though distressed that the last four kings of France have all been assassinated, King Thierry presses on to Paris and the complete reunification of France. More trouble arrives in 1518 when a new Pope, Talentus of Portugal, is elected. Undaunted, King Thierry proceeds onward.

Finally things came to a head, and the King of France and the Prince of Portugal fought on the border between Normandy and the Isle-de-France. Unfortunately the French were defeated. Still, King Thierry raised as many troops as he can in Caen and Dijon, and prepares to march again. Unfortunately, two units of Scots Guard moving to join him from Dijon are intercepted by the Paresian garrison. But this is indeed a blessing in disguise, for the city itself is now ripe for the picking! Seizing the opportunity King Thierry attacks, and a French spy has opened the gates of Paris!

And so it was done. For the first time in over a hundred years, The King of France walks the streets of Paris. Though there will be much celebrating, there are still troubles.

**Cecil XIX** · 09-03-2007, 01:15

Now then, here is Europe in 1532.

It is not difficult to imagine that if something is not done, the Kingdom of France will find itself destroyed by the Horde. But in order to oppose the Mongols, caution is advised and allies will need to be made. Currently France is allied only with the Sicilians, and at war with the Romans and the Portuguese. In order to effectively fight the Mongols, King Thierry will need to form a coalition before he can declare war. And so, he plans.

First, England. They are currently neutral, and if Ireland is offered they should be eager to ally with France. Of course that means Ireland will have to be taken.

After that, it will be necessary to curb the Portuguese influence in the east. Taking Milan will make relations less complicated, and seizing Corsica and Sardinia will be essential if France is to project power in the Mediterranean.

Once that is accomplished, they're remains the the Venetians. Though allied with the Pope, they are completely isolated on Crete and Rhodes. It should be an easy task to subjegate them and make them swear fealty to the King of France. With that done, Milan can be offered to Papacy to ease tentions and create another alliance.

Of course, during this the French will have to face attack from the Empire and Portugal. But if the French are cautious it can be done. Fortunately the Romans are serving as a buffer state between France and the Mongols, preventing conflict between them before the French are ready.

And so King Theirry begins to put his plan in motion. He instructs France's three castles to produce dismounted fuedal knights for the assault, while the rest of France focus on infastructure development and growth. Bordeaux will construct Carracks to carry the men to Ireland. With Prince Andriet to lead the force, Ireland will be theirs for the taking.

**Cecil XIX** · 09-03-2007, 05:14

Ireland is conquored in 1552, and the English ally with France in 1554 in exchange for the island. It was not without peril though, as the two carracks transporting the Prince's army were attacked by two Portuguese Grande Carracks. But Admiral Perrot earned his pay that day, and was able to lead the French to victory.

In more good news, the French Royal Family has two new members. The first is Baldwin Tanlay, a distant cousin to the rest of the family. He marries Emmolot Xavier, whose maternal uncle was King Richart. They have already had a son named Blanchet. The other new member is Francoys d'Artois, married to Agnes de Marigny. She is the daughter of Noel the Mad, adopted son of King Martin de Boullion the mad and brother of King Theirry.

**Ramses II CP** · 09-04-2007, 04:15

Are you playing a mod? I've never had a single King assassinated, and only very rarely lose anyone before old age takes them. I normally play m/vh, but even in my England vh/vh game (1.2, but awhile ago) I don't recall any meaningful number of attempts on my king's lives.

Interesting situation. With guns pushing back the Mongols shouldn't be too hard, but I've never seen so large a Timurid empire (Probably because the game rarely goes on so long). Good luck!

**Cecil XIX** · 09-04-2007, 04:33

When I finished the campaign, it was with vanilla 1.0 or 1.01, I can't remember when I get the patch. Now that I've started the AAR it's vanilla 1.02. I counted my faction leaders and I've had three die peacefully, two die in battle, and four die via assasination. It was pretty crazy for a while there.

Unfortunately my lands are all underdeveloped. They can't produce and gunpowder units save artillery, and it's going to be hard to build up my infastructure with the Portuguese blockading me.

**Cecil XIX** · 09-04-2007, 19:03

Unfortunate news in 1562.

With this, the Mongols and the Timurids have carved up the east completely.

But let it not be said the the Papacy does not honor it's allies.

Now his holiness is likely to face some fierce fighting in Africa.

Also in this year Prince Thierry finally returns to french soil. Now France's immidiate concern is to rebuild this army and march on Milan.

**Cecil XIX** · 09-05-2007, 04:13

The year of 1564 has been much kinder. The King of France has been in formed the an English Army has landed on the continent, the English are now at war with the Mongols, and Mongol-held Antwerp is now under siege. Though it has not been confirmed, the English’s part in the first two events also suggest an involvement in the third. King Thierry has also noticed that the French had previously established trade rights with the Mongols and quickly ends that agreement. The Mongols were fortunately unconcerned, the for supporting their ally the French reputation increased dramatically from ‘very untrustworthy’ to ‘trustworthy. King Thierry has also decided to train a corps of priests to send out into Mongol lands to protect Catholicism.

In other news Francis de Marigny, son of Noel the mad, comes of age. Also, Gilot Xavier has a daughter who he names Honnore.

In 1566, the English and the Mongols made peace. Not knowing what goes on behind closed doors, the French are concerned. Also, Francis de Marigny takes a bride named Symonne.

Two years later, Hermant de Bouillon son of King Thierry comes of age. He has his father’s extravagance and is slow to trust after seeing his father driven mad by assassination attempts. He shows promise as a bureaucrat and an overseer of farming, so he is sent to Rennes to administer Brittany.

In 1570, Francoys d’Artois dies of the plague in Rheims. He is survived by his wife Agnes and his four year old son Guillemin.