1493 1500s Retro Thread

[Glen]

To add or edit events for the 1500s, copy that year's timeline and insert the amended events. Below that have quoted the previous version of that year for comparison.

[Glen]

1501:

England:

1501 August: Arthur Prince of Wales marries Catherine of Aragon.

Navarre:

John and Catherine's first son, christened Andres Febo DAlbrett, is born.

Portugal:

Cabral returns to Portugal with 11 of his 13 ships. Richly laden and richly rewarded by King Manoel.

1501 March: Prince João-Baptista returns to Portugal, and travels by land to meet their Catholic Majesties of Spain.

Holy Roman Empire:

With the threatened loss of Wien, Maximilian is interested in settling the matters to the South at any cost. However, the news becomes worse as many parts of the County of Tyrol join in the revolt that has spread from Brixen. The Swiss forces in the area are by and large greeted warmly by the peasantry. When the forces left behind by Emperor Maximilian faced the Swiss in open battle, it would prove a disaster for this part of the Empire. Though initially the small contingent of artillery and guns with the Imperial forces slowed the Swiss onslaught, a poorly guarded flank were their undoing as the Swiss were able to get into the Imperial lines and throw them into disarray, leading to the capture of the artillery and the utter destruction of Maximilian's forces. Left with the choice of widening the war or cutting his losses, Maximilian decides narrowly on negotiating.

1501 June 3: The Treaty of Basal is signed by the Holy Roman Empire and the Swiss Confederacy. Swiss de facto independence is now recognized de jure. It allows for the new Tyrolean League (including the City of Brixen and the alpine section of Gorizia) to enter association with the Swiss Confederation as well as the host city of Basal, that had been agitating for such an association over the past several years. The remains of the Archbishopric of Brixen and Gorizia are confirmed as direct possessions of Habsburg, and the Swiss and its associated Tyrolean League foreswear any future claims to them. Though the Swiss gain their political independence, they are required by the treaty to side with the Holy Roman Empire and Habsburg in any conflict with France. In addition, the Swiss are pledged to provide captains and training cadre for a new Habsburg army being built, in an attempt to address the deficiencies so recently demonstrated in the war, that would be known to Swiss history as the War of Swiss Independence, or the Tyrolean Campaign in the Holy Roman Empire.

Baden:

The cities in Oversticht start to resist the rule of Frederick of Baden (Bishop of Utrecht) more and more. The bishop sends a small armed force to Oversticht to enforce his rule.

Saxony:

Henry Wettin, second son of duke Albert of Saxony, makes pilgrimage to Rome and Jerusalem. Though he is impressed with the Holy City and the Rhodean knights, Rome is another matter.

Italian Peninsula:

King Alphonso claims that Pope Alexander VI is interfering with the secular affairs of Naples. He uses this as a pretext for and invasion of the Papal States.

Start of the Venetian-Genovese War.

Ottoman Empire:

Emperor Selim orders that Bulgaria begin shipping large quantities of nails and hemp (for rope) to the shipyards in Galata and Gallipoli. In addition, he demands a large number of Roman-style shortswords be delivered to Constantinople. In the shipyards of the Empire, construction begins on more ships to supplement the ones presently at port and those on patrol.

1501 March: Sultan Selim of the Ottoman Empire sends one of his sisters (still in her early twenties) to the Khan of the Krimea, in appreciation for Krimea's loyalty.

1501 Late April: Sultan Selim of the Ottoman Empire sends an embassy (led by his older sister, who's in her early or mid thirties) to the lord of the White Sheep Turks, with the intention of opening relations between the White Sheep and Ottoman Turks.

1501 Late: Selim writes the following to the Tsar:

"To Ivan (third of your name) III Vasilevich (Иван III Васильевич), Tsar of the Rus’ and Tsar of conquered peoples of the North,

I confess I am confused. You state that you will allow me the title “Caesar of the Muslims,” yet refuse to recognize me as “Caesar” and refuse to recognize the very successor nature of my capital, founded by Emperor Constantine himself?"

Holy Land:

The Grand Commandry of the Rhodeans in Jerusalem is officially established. Over time, this will grow into one of the major Hospitaler commandries in the world.

Sub-Saharan Africa:

1501 Spring: Prince Emmanuel is born to King Diego and his queen. The King creates him Duke of Benguela. The Queen dies shortly after giving birth. A Catholic Matamban lord is created "Viceroy of Matamba," by King Diego.

1501 Summer: Portuguese missionaries from Ndongo are sent back into Matamba by King Diego, and meet a less forceful resistance from the Matambans. The Ndongolese seminary is finished. King Diego declares all Ndongolese must begin to learn Portuguese. A handful of Ndongolese lords complain.

1501 Fall: King Diego I marries a converted daughter of the Kongolese king, the Princess Maria. The King's brother, Prince Sebastião, is sent to conquer the Jaga Casangi in the southwest.

Indian Subcontinent:

Several Ethiopians travel with Arab traders and arrive in South India and begin hiring ship builders.

Following the collapse of the Deccan Sultanates north of the Vijayanagara Empire, the empire had sent troops north to resolve some border issues. In the west this brought the border to Mumbaiand followed Mountain ridges and the Rivers [Godavari] and other defensible landmarks east. The empire begins constructing a series of forts along the new border.

China:

With the improvements of the Great Wall continuing unhindered and the situation on Taiwan resolved, the Hongzhi Emperor took it upon himself to begin dealing with something which had plagued his father and grandfather before him for nearly a century, the Manchu peoples. While the Manchu peoples were considered a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty and supplied the Ming armies with a good percentage of their war horses via trading posts, the increasing sinification of the Jurchen people, the native Manchu population was causing issues for some of the local tribal leaders. The growing political and economic clout of the Ming was beginning to disturb Sibeoci Fiyanggū, the chieftain of the Jurchen people. Sibeoci Fiyanggū was of the Odoli Clan, a people located on the banks of the Hun River, who were known for their horsemanship and skill with a bow and arrow. Fiyanggū could claim lineage from Genghis Khan, giving him legitimacy among many of the tribes of Jurchen who practiced their nomadic lifestyles unchanged for many centuries.

By 1501, Fiyanggū's people were becoming a minority. Migrations into Manchu lands by non-Jurchen peoples, specifically ethnic Han Chinese, were becoming much more frequent and were forcing many clans off ancient tribal claims to pasturage that were the only source of food for their animals. Many of the pastures taken over by Han Chinese migrating into Manchuria were turned into farms to feed families, and to send food to markets in the south, leaving the native Manchus with a shrinking area of untilled land in which to practice their ages old lifestyle of moving from field to field with their livestock, stopping only to sleep.

Another troubling trend among younger Jurchens was a trend to give up their nomadic lifestyles and take up sedentary lives as farmers, or worse, move into North China and set up trading posts to make a profit. It was with this trend, began only three years prior in the lands of the Ming, that Sibeoci Fiyanggū came to the conclusion that this was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. Before the end of the year, Sibeoci Fiyanggū would draw many neighboring Jurchen tribes, as well as other Manchu tribes, into an alliance to drive the Han Chinese out of their lands, and reclaim their lands rather than letting them fall into the hands of the settled Chinese.

East Asia:

Ryukyuan troops and government officials complete a cartographic survey of Taiwan.

Australia:

The Yolgnu begin to form an anti-Macassan alliance. Their stolen ships prove useful as a bargaining tool, as technology can be used as a means for securing allies. They begin to engage in acts of piracy off the coast of Marege, attacking Macassan sailors, taking their ships, and killing their crews.

Norasia (North America):

1501 February: The Susquehanna, hearing from their southern brethren about the good trade to be had at the south of the bay, send a few of their largest canoes along the coast to the Powhatan shores

1501 March: Noting the difficulty of casting canoes from the shore, the Susquehanna mimic some of their neighbors and build a crude dock so that the canoes do not have to start in the shallows.

1501 Spring: The Waponahkiyik, having witnessed the strange "sea monsters" off the coast, sends messengers to the Haudenosee seeking a mutual trade and defense pact.

1501 April: The first Native-European marriage takes place in Red Slope. Stories claims the ceremony is mostly Catholic, but the priest accords great respect to "the curious customs of these Eden-like people." Some attribute the marriage ceremony to the legendary figure called 'Brother John'. The Stadacona woman takes on the name Rebecca, while the Englishman takes on the name Karaken ('white one').

1501 August: The Haudenosaunee agree to the Waponahkiyik pact, and send a group of diplomats to live amongst them as a show of their loyalty. The group is led by a young woman named Hurit who (according to tradition) is Hiawatha's granddaughter.

[Glen]

1502:

England:

Vanilla is an instant hit in England when the Cabot Expedition returns with samples from a place called Cempoala. More missions are planned in future.

Spain:

Their Catholic majesties begin a policy of favoring the Castilian and Aragonese towns at the expense of the great nobles. Thus begins the rise of the communeros.

Portugal:

King Manoel I marries Margaret Tudor of England.

King Manoel I begins expanding the shipyards and the size of Portugal’s trading fleet and navy.

Burgundy:

The second son of Philip of Burgundy is born. He is named Ferdinand.

Saxony:

John, the unmarried brother of Duke Frederick of Saxony, goes on a pilgrimage after hearing of Jerusalem from his cousin, and there is so taken with the Rhodeans that he immediately announces his intention to join their order.

Frederick and Elizabeth's second child, a son (Philip Albert) is born.

Utrecht:

The battle of Kampen. Near the city of Kampen the troops of the Bishop of Utrecht are destroyed by troops from various cities of Oversticht, who are secretly armed and trained by Guelders. The bishop decides to send more troops. For the next 5 years a civil war . The bishop is supported by Burgundy, while Oversticht is supported by Guelders, Cleves/Mark and Julich/Berg. Most of the battles are being fought in Oversticht, but also in Guelders and Nedersticht skirmishes take place.

Italian Peninsula:

Neapolitan armies arrive outside of Rome and Romagna. The latter falls by the end of the year, while the former holds.

Rhodes:

Cem the Pretender dies. Upon his death, a shocking discovery is made when a young Greek lady of Rhodes comes forward as Cem's mistress, who has born him a son, named Constantine by her. The girl has a wild notion of using her son to launch a crusade for Constantinople, or at the very least, making him king of Rhodes, and this latter idea gains popularity with Greek Rhodeans. Crowds throughout Rhodes demonstrate for young Constantine (who has a claim to the Byzantine throne through his grandmother) to be made King of Rhodes.

Hanseatic League:

1502 Winter: Prince João-Baptista stays the Winter with the Hansa, a second visit.

Muscovy:

Ivan, under pressure from his wife for Vasili to be crowned co-regent, he keeps his promise to Dmitriy Ivanovich. Having different plans for Vasili. Vasili and his mother are hysterically upset about the move. In order to keep a civil war from happening while in the mists of the war with Livonia, Ivan reveals his plans for his son to both Vasili and Dmitriy, and asks that they keep the plans secret until they can be put into motion. Vasili is appeased and vehemently supports Dmitriy’s regency.

1502 September 13: During the battle of the Seritsa River (Battle of Smolin) Wolter von Plettenberg was turning the tide of the war until he is killed by Russian artillery while attempting to take on the Russian forces. (OTL he is able to defeat the Russians with a force of only 12,000 against anywhere between 30-40,000) The demoralized Livonian army retreats toward Riga in hopes of help from abroad.

Timurid Empire:

For the coming 1502 campaigning season, Babur and his generals devised a series of four benchmarks to prepare for either a late Summer 1502, or early Spring 1503 campaign south to seize control of Kabol. In the south, the lands of the Tajik people, especially the cities of Dushanbe, Panjakent, and Denow were to be besieged and captured. With those three cities captured, the roads from Farghana into the lands of the Afghan tribes would be easier to cross.

In the north, the flanks of Farghana were to be strengthened by the capture of the city of Toshkent (Tashkent) by one of his generals. Due to Babur’s rising paranoia, the capture of Toshkent was to take place after the Tajik campaign, for Babur to ensure that his generals did not try to take advantage of his previous engagements in the south and march into Farghana to claim legitimacy.

To the west, the city of Bukhoro (Bukhara) was to be captured to ensure that none who remained loyal to Muhammad Shaybani would attempt to take advantage of Babur’s distance to make a bid at regaining Samarkand. With the capture of Bukhara and the surrounding regions, the campaign routes through the Garagum Desert and the Garabil Plateau would be secured, due to the lack of any significant resistance in the area, allowing Babur a free hand in either the Afghan campaign that would follow, or in some future Persian expedition should fate deem Babur worthy of such a task.

By the end of 1501, Babur’s infrastructure development plans for the roads, water wells, and granaries were beginning to take shape. With local tribute and taxes flowing in, Babur began to use local labor sources to start building his new roads and gave some villages, namely those who proved their loyalty by sending additional tribute to him or who sent additional soldiers to him, were granted more leeway in their development, but not that much.

April-September 1502: Babur’s campaigns in the Tajik lands and in Bukhara went entirely according to plan, with Dushanbe, Panjakent and Denow falling to his forces before the end of July 1502, and Bukhara falling by the end of August. Issues arose, however, with the planned capture of Tashkent. Tashkent was supposed to fall, according to plans, no later than August. Local resistance was stronger than initially perceived, leading to an extended siege by Babur’s generals dispatched to the region. With the campaigning season coming to an end and the siege of Tashkent continuing on with no sight in end, Babur had a difficult decision to make. To break off the siege of Tashkent was to admit defeat, something which could, possibly embolden his enemies in the north and allow them a free hand in raiding his northern border. To continue the siege as it was proceeding, meant supplying an army of thousands during the bitter cold of the winter months, something that was equally unsettling to Babur. On September 3, Babur left Farghana with a contingent of his most loyal soldiers as bodyguards, and rode north to Tashkent to take personal command of the armies there.

September 15, 1502: After arriving in Tashkent a few days prior, Babur was stunned to see the lack of progress by his generals in securing the city. The local population had been allowed to go out at night and secure food from their fields, local dispatch services between Tashkent and outlying regions was allowed to continue unhindered and worst of all, some of his generals were seen fraternizing with local women. This was too much for Babur to bear. In short order, he dismissed several generals, and even put one man to death for, according to the scant records, “Taking tribute in name and using it to pay for lavish social gatherings as well as importing copious amounts of liquor and other luxury items.”

By September 15, all connections between Tashkent and the outside world were cut off. Dispatch riders were shot on sight by archers on horseback patrolling the countryside; local farms were raided and burned by Babur’s men, and citizens of Tashkent found outside the city walls were disposed of post haste. The city had been completely cut off, and Babur had taken to brutal tactics to attempt to bring the siege to a speedy end. Under orders from Babur himself, the bodies of the dead were flung over the city walls and into Tashkent. The bodies of both locals and his own men who died of illness were also flung over the city walls to encourage the spread of communicable diseases. Finally, the use of fire and gunpowder was endorsed to terrorize the population into coming to their senses. None of it had worked to bring the population to their senses, leading Babur to take bold action.

On September 15, the gates of the city of Tashkent were subjected to an all out assault by Babur’s men, using everything from swords and axes, to gunpowder and flame, in an attempt to break into the city and bring the siege to an end. In the afternoon, Babur’s efforts paid off. The gates into Tashkent finally collapsed after hours of intense attacks by Babur and his men. Babur’s army of well over 10,000 men entered the city of Tashkent and slaughtered the garrison who resisted the siege for so long. The worst was yet to come.

When city leaders refused to give into Babur’s demands to pledge oaths of fealty and allegiance to Babur, he became so enraged that he killed all 30 local officials who refused his order. Keeping this news to himself, the remaining 40 leaders who did swear their oaths were invited to a banquet in Babur’s tent later on that night, where they too were dispatched by Babur and several of his guards. This was not all. After the end of the battle, many of Babur’s men, tired and hungry from the long siege, began looting the city for everything of value and nutritional value. When shop owners and homeowners refused, many were outright killed rather than attempting to barter with them. This lead to Babur’s standing orders that would be applied to all conquests afterwards, excluding conquests in Afghanistan which he would personally oversee. The men were to slaughter any who refused to give into Babur’s demands and burn their shops or homes to the ground without regard for those who lived or worked there.

[B]Egypt:

An Ethiopian delegation arrives in Egypt, hoping to restore relations between the two nations. They present the Sultan with a large trapesty showing ships transversing the Nile Canal. It shows the ships paying tolls at either end. It also shows a map along the bottom of where the canal was.

Holy Land:

The Ethiopian mission travels from Egypt to Jerusalem, ostensibly as a pilgrimage. However, they also make contact there with the Knights Hospitaler and make arrangements to travel to Naples.

Sub-Saharan Africa:

King Alphonso sends his youngest son, also named Alphonso, to the court of King Emanuel at the request of the Ndongo. It is for several purposes. Establishing a Neapolitan connection in Ndongo is considered of great importance.

1502 Winter: A majority of the Ndongolese now profess to be Catholic; only a few Matambans do.

De Gama sets up a fort at the harbor of Sofala, Kilwa, Mozambique, Melinde, and in Mogadishu. De Gama sacks the coastal city of Mombasa and builds a fort there. He also takes Zanzibar Island and claims it for Portugal.

Ethiopia:

Shipwrights from Southern India arrive in Djibitiuo, along with their families, establishing India's first African settlement.

A diplomatic expedition leaves Ethiopia, headed for Europe. In particular the Ethiopians look to resurrect the previous plan for cooperation attempted between Alfonso V of Aragon and Zara Yaqob of Ethiopia in the 1450s.

Indian Subcontinent:

Vasco De Gama sails with 25 warships to India, to keep control of the trading ports that Cabral has opened for the Portuguese. He forces Calicut to agree to renewed trading concessions, after smashing their fleet and bombarding their city. The ruler is forced to allow them to set up a factory and gives them land upon which they can set up a trading enclave. In time it becomes a heavily armed fortress.

Bhārata’s administrative reform program is now generally in place, making tax collection and government services much more efficient. And a good thing too – the triple disruptions of war, a change in administrations, and the Muslim exodus are still affecting the economy.

1502 September-December: Rajamaharana Raimal sends Rawat Surjamal on a military expedition to shore up the eastern border of the Bengal province, where border raids had compromised the empire’s legitimacy in recent months. Militarily, the mission is a resounding success, as Surjamal is able to secure the border all the way to Chittagong. Tragically, though, Surjamal is injured in battle. He dies in Dhaka.

Australasia:

The fifth year of trepang fishing in Marege brings closer links between many Aboriginal tribes and the Macassans. Some tribes have become nearly sedentary, using Macassan fishing technology to feed villages. Needless to say, these tribes form close links with the Macassans, to the extent of economic dependence upon Macassan trade. In particular, western Marege is dominated by Macassan 'treaty tribes', bands linked by economic exchanges with Makassar.

China:

Sibeoci Fiyanggū spent two years building up his alliance of Jurchen and Manchu tribes to prepare for the struggle against the Ming. Fiyanggū was not a fool, he knew that the Hongzhi Emperor could bring many thousands of men to bear against the much smaller number of Manchu warriors. However, he had no choice in the matter and he believed that he no longer had the time that was needed to prepare his people for the war with the Ming.

Far East:

The tax collected from Taiwanese inhabitants by the Ryukyuan army as retribution for the 1497 incident is deemed sufficient; most Ryukyuan naval and land forces return to the home islands. A few small garrisons remain in the north of the island to 'maintain order and protect Ryukyuan interests' - this is not received well by the natives but is considered necessary by King Sho shin.

Japan:

The allied armies of the Akita clan of Dewa province and Nambu clan of Mutsu province reach the northern shores of Honshu. The Ainu have by now been almost completely pushed out of Honshu and have been forced to flee to Ezo (OTL Hokkaido). To guarantee that the Ainu will pose no threat in the future, the Akita clan decide to establish outposts on the OTL Shimokita and Tsugaru peninsulars. They are simply named Shimokita and Tsugaru.

New World:

Bartholomeu Diaz is sent to scout out the territories of the Spanish. He instead discovers a large land to the south (OTL Brazil) and claims it for the Portuguese. He reaches a stormy strait (OTL Straits of Magellan) before turning back. Upon his return, he is proclaimed the greatest living explorer in Portugal. The straits discovered during the expedition are named after their discover the Straits of Diaz.

[Glen]

1503:

England:

1503 March: Sebastian Cabot departs for the first time as commander of the English Expedition, determined to complete the mission of his dead father. This time he intends to head south along the European and African coast before crossing the sea.

Navarre:

Henry, second son of John and Catherine, is born. However Andres survives and remains heir presumptive.

Portugal:

Anti Jewish riots rage in Lisbon, at the behest of Catholic priests, killing 3000 Jews. Manoel I stamps out the riots and executes the leaders. This definitely does not sit well with the Catholic Church.

Vasco De Gama returns to Portugal. Due to his great success in India and his expanding of Portuguese interests, Manoel I entitles Vasco De Gama to be the first viceroy in India. He accepts.

Spain:

Juan's second son, Juan-Philipe, is born.

Burgundy:

The first daughter of Philip of Burgundy is born. She is named Eleanor.

Saxony:

Henry begins writing his first commentaries on the Bible. Though not deeply scholarly, they do possess a "back to the Bible" character which makes them quite popular. Henry also begins to write copies in German.

Frederick and Elizabeth's first daughter, named Clara Helena, is born.

Northern Italy:

1503 December 8: Boniface Palaeologus, the child Margrave of Montferrat, dies after a bout of measles. Young Duke Charles II of Savoy claims the Margravate through his mother, Blanche of Montferrat. Troops from Savoy back up his claim.

Italian Peninsula:

1503 Spring: Representatives from Ethiopia arrive in the court of King Alphonso II, seeking to make trade agreements given their Levantine territories so close to the Red Sea. One of their number speaks Italian, learned from expatriates 'hosted' in Ethiopia. They also seek passage to Spain.

King Alphonso II of Naples meets Duke Giuffre of Romagna for peace negotiations. Giuffre Borgia agrees to give the title Duke of Romagna to Alphonso's eldest, Ferdinand. In return Giuffre marries one of Alphonso's relatives.

King Alphonso II meets with representatives of the Hanseatic League. After negotiations Alphonso agreed to the sale of Malta to help offset costs of the Levantine campaign of the 1490s.

Mediterranean Sea:

Venice steps up its attacks on Genoan settlements and depots.

Black Sea:

The Genoan ports in the Crimea and elsewhere in the Black Sea are reduced to a state of ruin by the Venetians.

Baltic Region:

After a long and tiresome siege with little help from the outside, the Remaining leaders of the Livonian Confederation send out request for help to the Kalmar Union, who rejects the Livonian request, and the Hansa/Teutonic Knights.

After the fall of the Livonian Confederation, the Territory is split between the four powers (see division map in the map thread). The remaining Knights of the Order are given an Option, be expelled from Russian controlled Livonia (including Riga) or convert to the Orthodoxy and become Crusaders for the Patriarch. Most of the order leaves either retires in the Catholic Poland/Lithuania territory of Courland or goes to join the Teutonic Knights.

However a small band of about 175 Knights and 200 apprentices and squire’s stay, lead by a young, charismatic captain, convert to the Orthodoxy and Establish the Knights of St. Andrew. These knights are sent to Moscow to start a school and training center, and will become the core of Russia’s future military.

Ottoman Empire:

Emperor Selim, taken aback by the rumors that he has a cousin as close as Rhodes, fires off a message to Grand Master DAubusson. Selim instructs that the boy be brought to Constantinople.

Sub-Saharan Africa:

Queen Maria gives birth to her first son, who is named Prince Marcos. King Diego. His brother Prince Sebastião, off fighting the Jaga Cassangi he names the Ngolambole, or "military leader," and his daughter Duchess of Dvando. The King announces his plan to eventually construct a European-style building to house the Macota.

Ndongo:

1503 Spring: Prince João-Baptista returns to southern Africa.

1503 May: Sebastian Cabot's fleet pays a visit to top off supplies in Ndongo, delivering letters from King Henry VIIth and Prince Arthur to the Royal family of Ndongo.

Ethiopia:

A small Rhodean commandry is opened in Djibouti, consisting of knights, a hospital and a few chaplains, as well as Rhodean shipwrights. DAubusson also begins quietly encouraging some of the more difficult Orthodox Rhodeans to move to Djibouti.

Indian Ocean:

Vasco De Gama continues to reinforce and expand Portuguese trading ports in East Africa and India. He sets up a fortifications on the island of Angediva, he crushes Arab shipping and pirates among the trade ships sent from the Muslim kingdoms.

Indian Subcontinent:

Cochin is also added to the ports that the Portuguese now trade at. They are once again warmly received by the local ruler and they manage to buy some land upon which they set up a small fortress and warehouses. This will be the main area from which they will work for some years to come.

Bharata diplomats learn about the printing press from their travels abroad. Raimal, excited as usual about anything that can help refine the administration of government, commissions several craftsmen and scribes to travel abroad and learn the art.

1503 February: A Hindu soldier launches a coup and takes control of the Orissa Sultanate. In an over-ambitious attempt to cover for being the wrong caste to rule, he coronates himself with the audaciously blasphemous name Raja Jagannath (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagannath).

1503 August-December: Jagannath launches an aryavarta to confirm his legitimacy, and is rather successful. He reaches the GodavariRiver in the south and crushes Gondwana in the east. Most significantly, Jagganath, and puts a terrible scare into the Bhārata troops defending Bengal – Lord Jaimal is forced to retreat to Dhaka before driving Jagganath back. The two grow to respect one another in battle, and they soon reach a peace treaty – Orissa will keep eastern Gondwana, while the west becomes a Bhārata dependency, and Bhārata will cede the city of Midnapore to Orissa. They also agree to an “everlasting promise to defend against mutual enemies.”

The Vijayanagara empire, watching Raja Jagannath drive south to the Godavari River steps up the building of it's fortifications along the south bank of the river.

Viranarasimha Raya becomes regent of the Vijayanagara empire.

Australasia:

A brief war between the Dangbon and Yolgnu effectively consolidates Yolgnu domination over eastern Marege. As the largest tribe in pure numbers, and the only united nation (the rest of the tribes are divided up into 'bands', who function independently), they are able to function as an effective fighting force against the Macassans, and to intimidate other bands into joining their cause. They begin to openly attack Macassans in the territory of other nations. In retaliation, pro-Macassan tribes carry out attacks on the Yolgnu.

The exploitation of pearls continues in Kai Djawa, where some pearling stations have come to operate as semi-permanent settlements. The scarce food and water in the region leaves the tribes there open to advanced Macassan technology for fishing, leading to very good relations.

China:

1503 - 1505:

The emperor began to look into his trading situation on the periphery of the empire. Trade with the nomadic Mongols in the north, and Jurchens in the north-east was paying off for the empire. However, they could not continue the tea-horse trade as it stood and reports of inept commanders along the border began to trouble him more frequently. In 1503, the emperor summoned 30 regional commanders who he was informed were the most inept to the Forbidden Palace in Beijing, and proceeded to verbally rebuke them, calling them lazy and incompetent. By the end, he informed army generals that they were to execute all 30, "with extreme aggression, something they lacked against the enemies of the state," according to some eye witness reports. The army was also informed that it would be forced to take offensive measures should the Mongol tribes be found to be uncontrolable. The process of installing competent leadership in the border areas would not be completed in 1505 when the first Jurchen lead attacks into Ming claimed lands would take place.

Japan:

The Nambu clan establish a small outpost on the southern tip of the Oshima peninsular of Ezo, and explore northwards, encountering many far less hostile tribes of Ainu. Later that year, the Nambu clan complete a coastal survey of Ezo. They also encounter but do not explore the Chishima islands, and another island, Kitaezo (now OTL Sakhalin), previously thought to be a peninsular.

Norasia (North America):

1503 March: The Susquehanna and Haudenosaunee complete the (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_81) road (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_88_(east)) connecting the central Susquehanna lands with the Mohawk, via the Wyoming Valley settlements. They agree to call the new road Wolfpack Road, commemorating how the sister nations hunted down the Wyoming like wolves.

1503 April: At the point in southern Mohawk lands where Wolfpack Road, Great Peacemaker Road, and Mohawk Trail meet, the Mohawk build a new city, Sganeda’dih (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schenectady). Although the Mohawk are late to the settling game, Sganeda’dih will soon outclass all of the new settlements and become a bursting metropolis with a few thousand inhabitants.

English traders of the Society of Venture Merchants retrace the route of John Cabot to the lands of the Haustecs and the Totonac. The contrast between the two neighboring states is amusing, given the Haustec perchant for nudity and the Totonac for fine vestments. Trade relations are established, but both groups as for aid against a dominating group inland that requires taxes in human sacrifices, the Azteca. The English provide some arms, but by law can only offer them to those who swear loyalty to the English Crown.

South America:

1503 October: Sebastian Cabot's expedition sight land, begin heading south down the coast.

1503 November: Sebastian Cabot rounds the Straits of Diaz of the Southern Continent and strikes out into the Arthurian Ocean.

Arthurian Ocean (Pacific):

1503 December: Sebastian Cabot lands on an island filled with massive Statues. He names it Giant Island.

[Glen]

1504:

England:

1504 November: Sebastian Cabot returns to England to a hero's welcome. Though several ships have been lost to storms, the bulk of his ships remain intact and are laden with treasures of the Orient.

Europe:

Not to be outdone by Ndongo, King Joao sends his son Aphonso to Europe, where Aphonso follows a route similar to that of the Ndongolese, with particular attention paid to Spain. Aphonso secretly begins negotiations for a Spanish-Kongolese alliance.

Burgundy:

The second daughter of Philip of Burgundy is born. She is named Isabella.

Portugal:

More anti-Jewish Riots pop up in and around Lisbon and other cities, most encouraged by Catholic priests. The Church is putting heavy pressure on Manoel to expel the Jews, but it’s more becoming a fight for who has the most power, the King or the Church than the issue over Jews continuing to live in Portugal.

Margaret of Portugal gives birth to a healthy baby boy, named Manoel II.

Vasco De Gama and 30 ships leave for India, with orders to solidify Portuguese claims and to create a monopoly. He also takes a long a young squadron captain named. Alfonso De Albuquerque, later to be known as the De Gama’s Mastiff for his willingness to go and fight where De Gama points.

Venice:

1504 - 1509: The Doge of Venice begins to get the upper hand in his dealings with the Council which usually runs Venice, presumably due to the Doge's successful management of the war with Genoa.

Malta:

The Hansa takes control of Malta, with plans to establish a "Christian Republic" under the sovereign direction of the Hansa.

Rhodes:

DAubusson, alarmed by these events, returns to Rhodes, and promises to consider native rule for Rhodes when Constantine comes of age. In the meantime, DAubusson takes the boy as his ward, with the previso that he will be raised an Orthodox Christian. Requests are sent to Constantinople asking for Orthodox spiritual advisors to be sent to the boy. The situation on Rhodes calms, and jubilant Greeks begin anticipating the day when Rhodean independence will (hopefully) come.

Ottoman Empire:

In the Ottoman Empire, al scaloccio (a technique wherein all the oarsmen on a single bench share a single oar) and galleasses are adopted from the Venetians and other Italian expatriots who’ve taken residence and service under the Sultan’s banner.

Construction begins in Galata and Gallipoli (in the Ottoman Empire) on galleons suitable for warfare.

Holy Land:

Prince Alphonso makes pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and his talks with DAubusson about the possible establishment of a small Hospitaler commandry in Mbanza-Kongo, the Kongolese capital.

Muscovy/Baltic:

With the establishment of the Knights of St Andrews, plans for the proposed training facility, School and Cathedral/Monastery are drawn up to build near Tver. The building is slow and steady and takes about 5 years to complete but when it is, it becomes one of the Chief training areas for Russian Military Leaders. Eventually all Russian Princes are required to spend at lest 5 years training at the Facility. In the mean time a temporary facility is based in Moscow.

May 1504: Riga is reopened as a free trade city under the auspice of the Grand Duke. Ivan sends Dmitriy on a trip to Europe to open trade routes. While abroad Dmitriy hears of the adventures of Columbus, the Cabots, and Diaz. He marvels at the news and rumors of the New World and dreams of Russian outposts, but first Russia must build merchant and military navies.

Ndongo & Matamba:

1504 Spring: Prince Sebastião returns to Kabasa to gather more soldiers. The King agrees. 1,000 soldiers return to Jaga Casangi country under the command of Prince Sebastião Ngolambole.

1504 Summer: The King's sister, Princess Maria-Joana, dies and her fifteen year old son Henrique is adopted by the King and made a prince. He is sent to study with priests.

King Diego renames the city São Rafael o Arcanjo de áfrica, "City of Saint Raphael the Archangel of Africa."

1504 Fall: Queen Maria dies giving birth to a son, Miguel; who is created Marquis of Rainha-Santa-Isabel-de-áfrica. King Diego marries his cousin, Princess Maria-Betânia. She is crowned Queen Betânia of the Ndongolese, but not of the Matambans, who object to the marriage. An attempted rebellion to place the baby Duke of Benguela as sovereign king of Matamba fails, and many are executed. The husband of Princess Maria-Isabel, the King's sister, is made Viceroy of Matamba.

Africa:

Vasco De Gama solidifies and strengthens forts and harbors along Eastern Africa.

Indian Sub-Continent:

1504 Summer: A local outbreak of an unknown disease decimates the population of Sasaram (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sasaram). By the end of August, 30% of the town is dead.

Thailand [Kingdom of Ayuthaya]:

With the collapse of Burma, the Thais had taken back the coastline they had lost, but attempts to move north had lead to a major defeat at the hands of the Rajputs in 1503. As such they had returned to Nibbling their way south in Maylaysia and Khmer.

Gowa:

A low-level border dispute between Gowa and Polombangkeng is exacerbated when ships from Polombangkeng are discovered trading with tribes in areas in Marege annexed by Gowa. Claiming a violation of their sovereignty, Gowa declare war.

In need of troops, Gowa offer the benefits of citizenship to many of their more compliant client tribes in Marege-with offers of self-government and honoured status. The majority refuse, but some tribes accept. The remaining independent tribes are increasingly squeezed between Gowan areas. Yolgnu remain strictly neutral.

The war, however, does not go well. After initial advances, the Gowan advance is bogged down. An alliance of states in the region opposed to Gowan expansionism destroys the Gowan army at Bungaya, and takes Garassik. Gowa sue for peace after only four months of fighting.

The terms are harsh. The Gowa-Tallok alliance is broken off. Some areas in Marege are granted to the principalities of Galesong, Polombangkeng, Siang, and Maros. In Gowa, the power of the Bate Salapang is at last broken, as the general nobility are discredited due to the war.

As 1504 ends, Marege has been divided up amongst rival Sulawesian principalities, proxy tribes, and independent tribes such as Yolgnu.

Australia:

The first 'proxy war' between the Yolgnu and the Macassans begins, when the Burarra, a tribe on the Yolgnu border, decide to sign a treaty with Gowa. The Yolgnu subsequently carry out raids on Burarra bands, hoping to intimidate them into the anti-Macassan alliance.

A Macassan prau enters into Yolgnu waters, blown off course in a storm. Its crew are massacred and the items onboard are stolen. In response, the karaeng of Gowa nearly declares war, only being dissuaded by the advice of the Bate Salapang.

China:

1504 May: Sebastian Cabot arrives in Southern China. His father's dream is fulfilled.

East Asia:

1504 April: Sebastian Cabot arrives in the the East Indies (OTL Philippines), confirmed by an interpreter on board. A Cabot has finally reached Asia. He obtains directions to China.

Japan:

Nambu ships complete a coastal survey of the Chishima islands and Kitaezo.

Mutsu province, home to the Wakamatsu clan in the south and the Nambu clan in the north, is divided between those two clans into two provinces - Muzen in the south (Wakamatsu) and Mugo in the north (Nambu). The Akita then cede Shimokita and Tsugaru and return to their home province.

Ryukyu:

Relations are improving between Ryukyu on one hand and Japan and China on the other. The volume of trade passing between East and South-East Asian nations, with Ryukyu as the 'middle-man' is slowly but surely increasing. The rule of King Sho shin - a golden age for Ryukyu - shows great prosperity for that nation. King Sho shin, seeing an opportunity for expansion of Ryukyuan production and commerce, announces the establishment of a colony in northern Taiwan. The purpose of this colony will be for acquisition of timber, metals, and other supplies needed to feed the emerging Ryukyuan production industries.

Arthurian Ocean:

1504 February: Sebastian Cabot's fleet lands in Tahiti. Near mutiny occurs when Cabot wants to press on from this hospitable land.

Norasia:

1504 November: The man whom the legends call Hiawatha dies. A Clan Mother takes on the new name Chiefess Orenda and becomes Chiefess of the Onondaga. Hurit immediately returns to the Onondaga Council, where she begins writing “The Funeral”, a 1000-word poem that, while written in Waponahkiyik characters, is written in Iroquoian grammar and is therefore considered the first Iroquois writing. In addition to describing the funeral, it predicts a horrible holocaust, a revelation, and a golden age to come. It opens with the line, “If the snow buries my neighborhood, and if my parents are crying, then I'll dig a tunnel from my window to yours.”

[B]1504 December: A month after Hiawatha’s death, Grand Council Iroquoians and other well-wishers from the farthest corners of TurtleIsland are still pouring into the city of Onondaga. Those who visited 10 years ago for the Grand Council are stunned by the prosperity that strong government, good harvests, and wide roads and brought the Haudenosaunee. Many of the southern tribes resolve to bring this prosperity to their own lands, and they stay for months afterward learning all they can from each other. Many return home with painstakingly copied engravings of “The Funeral”. Although almost none of them have learned how to read it (they simply memorized the story, as they always do), the fact that a common document is spread among dozens of locations, some a million paces from each other, provides the travelers with great spiritual satisfaction.

1505 January: Hurit marries a Waponahkiyik man. The Haudenosaunee pronounce it proof that the two nations are now forever linked in peace.

Mesoamerica:

Though slowed by translating problems, the Totonac indicate their desire for English assistance in throwing off the rule of the Aztec Triple Alliance. Merchant Adventurers from the Society agree to lend aid in return for some vague pledge of loyalty to the English Crown and promises of tribute. The Totonac begin recruiting other disgruntled tribes in the region.

South America:

The Muisca Confederation, having finally reached the Great Sea ( The Caribbean), at an area that is blessed with both a brackish fresh water lake, and the open Sea (Maricaibo). The area is quickly built up due to Carib raids. Trade with sea-going people is vigorously encouraged.

[Glen]

1505:

Ireland:

1505 April 23: A daughter named Alice is born to Garrett Og Fitzgerald, son of the Earl of Kildare.

Portugal:

Several priests and even some bishops are caught plotting a series of riots against Manoel I, using his lack of action on expelling the Jews as a sign of his lack of devotion. He exiles them.

Trier:

Jacob of Baden dies of a passing illness. Bertholt of Mainz appoints Henry Wettin elector Archbishop of Trier. Henry recommends young Martin Luther as a private secretary to his cousin Frederick the Wise of Ernestine Saxony.

Henry, upon hearing of his father's death, goes briefly into mourning, and becomes deeply introspective. After half a year, he emerges from his solitude a changed man, believing firmly that Albert's loyalty to an empire given to decadents and corruption helped cause his death. Henry, like Frederick the Wise and Bertholt of Mainz, becomes an advocate of widespread reforms. He begins aggressively with these reforms in Trier, stamping out the practice of indulgences and begins supporting more radical causes, such as the translation of the Bible into German and broader ecclesiastical reforms. Bertholt of Mainz largely goes along with Henry's reforms.

Wittenberg: Martin Luther enters Wittenberg University, studying cannon law and (to the consternation of his father), theology.

Albertine Saxony:

Active resistance to Albertine rule in Gruningen intensifies into outright rebellion. Albert is forced to start campaigning there on a regular basis. Albertine Saxony officially goes broke.

Northern Italy:

1505 Winter: Taking advantage of the ongoing naval war between Genoa and Venice, Milan demands heavy territorial concession from Genoa to allow Milanese better access to the Mediterranean. Genoa eventually refuses.

1505 Spring: Milan declares war on the already embattled Genovese. Although an offensive alliance, the rest of the Northern Italian Pact shortly follow suit.

1505 Summer: Genoa falls, being pillaged by the Piedmonters from the North and ravaged by the Venetians at sea. Milan and Savoy split the Ligurian region, with Milan gaining Genoa and parts east, and Savoy gaining the western half. The treasures of Genoa are split between the Pact. A substantial portion of the Genoese nobility are evacuated to Corsica. The Genoese in Corsica sue for peace. Venice is deeded several Genovese overseas locations.

Kingdom of Naples:

1505 Spring: A small Neapolitan expedition make their way towards the New World. Signed up for the expedition is a young Florentine named Giovanni da Verrazzano.

Malta:

A new government is formed along roughly republican lines. Hansa factors begin recruiting a Maltese national guard and constructing a small navy. Construction of a port city is begun.

Muscovy:

What is left of the Livonian and hired Dutch shipwrights are set to work building the first Russian merchant ships and naval vessels. Grand Prince Dmitriy orders Russian wood-working tradesmen to work with them, to learn shipbuilding.

August, 27 1505: After returning from his trip in July Dmitriy is married to Solomonia Yuryevna Saburova (Vasili’s OTL wife) a descendent of the Tartar Khans.

Oct 27, 1505: Ivan III dies and Dmitriy assumes the title of Grand Prince of Muscovy.

Oct 28, 1505: Dmitriy formally places the Sect of Skhariya the Jew, which he and his mother are members of, under direct protection of the Grand Prince.

Maghreb:

For the past 8 years, Tunisia, due to the urging of Muhammahad XII has been encouraging the Portuguese Jews expelled under the 1497 degree to immigrate to Tunisia. In this year the first Jewish run bakery and the first Jewish farms are started.

Muhammad XII leads his army to Tunis where the Sultan agrees to appoint Boabdil as his Heir.

The Granadian Army begins to reassert control over the countryside, and bring the period of warlordism to a end.

Ndongo:

1505 March: After delayed visits and tours, Prince João-Baptista arrives back in Ndongo with a group of Franciscan monks and a lady of the Neapolitan court as his future wife. He also has secret agreements for Spanish and Neapolitan aid in future. King Diego and his Queen throw a large celebration to honor the Franciscans.

1505 May: Prince João-Baptista and his betrothed, are married in a small Franciscan parish Church of Santa Chiarra in the capital. Queen Betânia gives birth to a daughter, who is named Maria Anna-Clara.

1505 Summer: King Diego orders the beginning of construction on a cathedral in São Rafael. Prince Sebastião returns, having victoriously conquered the Jaga Cassangi. He is created "Principe-Conquistatore del Regno," and marries an Ndongolese noble woman, who has taken the name Anastasia-Cristina.

1505 August: TRH Prince João-Baptista, Princess Anna Christina of Naples, and the infant Infanta Maria Anna-Clara depart for Portugal, though relations have chilled between the two nations, but to send a lesser representative to the Portuguese court would be an insult. Prince Fernando departs for Naples, and Prince Sebastião and Princess Anastasia-Cristina depart for Spain.

1505 September 17: Under influence from his Franciscan tendala, or Chief Advisor, King Diego signs the Act of Unification, unifying the kingdoms of Ndongo and Matamba as the Realm of Ndongo-Matamba. King Diego declares Saint Lambert of Maastricht, whose feast day falls on this date, a Patron Saint of Ndongo-Matamba.

1505 November: More Ndongolese-Matamban troops are sent to help fight in Lunda.

1505 Christmas Day: Legend claims the first Ndongolese bishop, Saint Lorenzo, is consecrated as Bishop of All Africa-Australis.

De Albuquerque is charged with putting down rebellions in East Africa. He does so brutally and efficiently. He also is charged with pirating Arab/Muslim trading vessels, which he also does efficiently.

Ethiopia:

The Knights of Rhodes (the Hospitalers) establish a small presence in Djibouti by invitation of the Ethiopians. In return, the Knights of Rhodes send a Rhodean shipwright to teach the Ethiopians.

Indian Sub-Continent:

Narasimha Raya II of the Saluva Dynasty dies without Heir.

Viranarasimha Raya becomes Emperor founding the Tuluva Dynasty.

Vasco De Gama continues to fortify his positions in India, Calicut and Cochin. Explorations are made along the India Coast. Sri Lanka is discovered and trade is set up with the local rulers.

1505 April: Raj Jagannath of Orissa’s first son, Jayadeva, is born.

Australia:

The Burarra, on the verge of surrender to the Yolgnu, are instead provided with weapons by the Macassans. This allows them to launch counter-raids into Yolgnu territory, nearly leading to the breakdown of the anti-Macassan alliance. The war becomes bloodier, with massacres on both sides. A Yolgnu-war party intercepts a Macassan weapons shipment, though these are only limited amounts.

China:

1505 February 10: In the dead of winter, Manchu warriors attacked a border outpost in Duoyan serving as the defense of the local settlers. The garrison of 500 men was slaughtered down to the last man as a message to the locals, leave or end up like them.

By early Spring, Manchu tribes were leading multiple raids into villages of settlers up and down the border in Duoyan, Jianzhou, and Chahar. The Hongzhi Emperor had little choice but to dispatch 45,000 men under the command of several generals. Unlike expeditions mounted under the Song Dynasty or earlier in the Ming Dynasty, the Hongzhi Emperor was unwilling to take command of armies in the field, preferring instead to let his generals do their job and he would do his. This 45,000 man expedition would not reach the border until late July.

When offensive operations were undertaken in early August, they were an unmitigated disaster. Nearly 10,000 men were killed or wounded in two months of campaigning from August to late September, with the slaughter ending only with the onslaught of the Manchurian winter. No progress had been made, and worse still, settlers were reporting many neighboring villages simply disappearing overnight, leaving ashes and blood where once thriving settlements existed hours before.

Vietnam:

As Viets move in and start taking land, more Champas move into the cities, there they become Merchants, and begin expanding thruout Vietnam. and Khmer. They also expand their traditional Maritime trade areas.

Japan:

Fishing operations begin in waters off Ezo.

The Nambu begin trading with the Ainu of Ezo.

Ryukyuan:

First colonists leave for Taiwan.

Taiwan:

Ryukyuan colonists arrive on Taiwan to establish a settlement for resources. That year, mining and lumber camps are built in north Taiwan.

Norasia:

1505 January: Hurit marries a Waponahkiyik man. The Haudenosaunee pronounce it proof that the two nations are now forever linked in peace.

Columbus sends expeditions to Florida and Central America.

Caribbean:

1505 Fall: The Neapolitans explore a wide channel between the penninsula that Cabot described and a large tropical island, which the lead explorer names 'Messina'. It is only much later that they come to realize it is the other side of Cuba.

South America:

The Muisca in (OTL Maricaibo) are visited by a far-wandering Mayan who impresses the local chief in the area with his abilities, and is quickly sent to the Hunza, where his knowledge of astronomy and ability to write impress the Zaque to no end. He is offered a position as educator to the nobility and also given a position as translator of the stars.

[Glen]

1506:

Scotland:

1506 January: Twelve-year-old Princess Mary Rose Tudor of England is married to King James IV Stewart of Scotland.

Portugal:

Manoel I enacts strict laws that are designed to curb the Church’s power in Portugal. The lack of funding has already dried up a lot of the political activeness of the priests, but it’s not enough for Manoel who’s whispered to be becoming more like his predecessor John II, which terrifies the Nobility into siding with him.

Margaret of Portugal gives birth to her second child, a son named Henrique.

De Albuquerque is sent back to Portugal with treasure laden ships.

Burgundy:

The third son of Philip of Burgundy is born. He is named Maximillian.

Holy Roman Empire:

Luther reads Henry's commentaries and is impressed. The bold young student writes to the Duke's son, and they strike up a life-long friendship. Henry's phlegmatic personality complement's Luther's volcanic one. As Henry begins disputing with other theologians Luther quickly becomes established as "Wettin's bulldog"--a gifted polemicist for Henry's ideas. As yet however, Henry's thought is not particularly radical.

George, heir to the Duchy of Albertine Saxony, dies in a hunting accident. Henry, still intending to hold to his monastic vows, rejects the heir's title.

Muscovy:

Dmitriy, having been a supporter of secularization, starts moving the government and church apart. While Dmitriy still supports the Church and in particular the Knights of St. Andrews, he feels that the teachings of the heretical group the Sect of Skhariya the Jew and the teachings of Nil Sorsky are right. Though he knows that he can’t force the ideology on the people let alone the Church. The Support of Nil Sorsky, his teachings, and the losses of church monastic holdings leads to more of a “liberalization” of the church where self rule is taught but the Sect’s ideas of Jesus and the Trinity are dropped as this is far and above anything that the Church can except. These teaching will lead to a Synod in 1508

1506 September 13: Dmitriy’s first son Ivan Daniil Dmitriyevich, Ivan is confirmed as heir to Dmitriy’s entire domain.

1506 November: The Church starts to split between those in favor of new ideas being presented by Nil Sorsky and Joseph Volotsky with his outspoken support for the status qua. The two men, bitter rivals for nearly 20 years have many heated debates, many of them public during services. Vasili, in the meantime, while no supporter of Dmitriy’s plans and actions, does not say or do anything. Even with widespread calls from conservative Clergy and Boyars. Instead he has been preparing for his eventual trip to Constantinople where he will take his Great Uncles Crown. He does however, at his nephew’s request, start sending out invitations to the more conservative members of the Church hierarchy and Boyars, offering them places in his court.

Rhodes:

The Knights of Rhodes officially vote to change their name to "The Sovereign Military Order of the Knights of Jerusalem and Rhodes". Commonly however, people begin once again referring to them as the Hospitalers. As more and more Hospitaler strength becomes concentrated in Jerusalem, questions are raised as to the future of Rhodes.

Kongo:

Aphonso returns to Kongo just in time; King Joao has become sick and will soon die. Aphonso is named successor to his father. Flush with his European tour, he begins Europeanizing his court.

Ethiopia:

The Royal Shipyard launches it's first Indian-style dhow, followed a week later by a Maldives dhoni. These are basically enlarged rowboats. With a maximum cargo of 10-15 tons in the larger dhows, and 2-5 in the dhoni. By the end of the year, they will be carrying small cargoes around the Red Sea and north to Egypt. Between the various Indian and Mediterranean shipwrights they were able to bring from overseas, Ethiopia continues development of larger ships.

Indian Sub-Continent:

1506: The first four printing presses in Bharata open: At the royal palace in Chittor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chittorgarh), the princely palaces in Delhi and Dhaka, and at a new theological school in Mathura.

1506 January-June: The Bharata forces launch a siege on Ahmedabad. They make little progress after 6 months. Learning from the disaster at Mathura, though, they divide and retreat into various captured Gujarati towns when the monsoons hit.

1506 June-September: Gujarat attempts several raids on the occupied towns. They are able to push Bharata forces out of the east and south, but only at tremendous loss of life on both sides. Since Bharata's forces are more numerous and healthy, Raimal is willing to take the loss.

1506 October: Raimal again attacks Ahmedabad, and this time overwhelms the Gujarati forces and takes the city. The Sultan and his family are all executed, and Rajputs installed as governors. Raimal is injured in the final raid.

1506 October: Trade is opened between Portugal and the Bharata Empire, mainly taking place out of Diu in Gujarat.

1506 November: Expressing fears of mortality, Raimal finally begins to act on his proposals for an oligarchic government. Bharata territory is rationalized into distinct plots. Localities can act autonomously (except on defense) if all the local leaders are in agreement, but otherwise loyalty flows upward to the Rajamaharana. Trade groups, castes, and non-Hindu minorities each have the right to appoint representatives to a (toothless) Imperial Advisory Chamber. These groups can also buy a certain amount of autonomy by paying more in taxes.

Australia:

Cowed by superior numbers, the Burarra finally surrender, acceeding into the anti-Macassan alliance. The Yolgnu confiscate from the Burarra all Macassan weaponry and goods. It is a severe setback for Gowa.

China:

In two years of open combat against the Manchu tribes under the command of Sibeoci Fiyanggū, the Ming Dynasty suffered almost 80,000 casualties, 3/4 of who were reported killed or wounded with the last 1/4 reported as missing in action or deserters. Incompetent leadership was labeled as the leading cause of such casualties, with general after general leading failed assaults on Manchu tribes who would simply negotiate around the large, unwieldy formations of foot soldiers and archers and strike them from behind.

Japan: Whaling operations begin in waters off the Chishima islands.

Ryukyu:

Ryukyuan ships return to Okinawa with supplies from the colony.

First colonists return to Ryukyu. While the initial outlook for the colony is good, government expenditure is a high, and benefits are not felt for some time.

Norasia:

August 1506: The largest Wabanakiyik settlements of Norridgewock, Jipugtug, Nashwaak, Abegweit, Sebayik, Oromocto, and Mniku all grow and prosper due to trade with the Haudensausee and the southern tribes. The Wabanakiyik also begin to move into the island of Newfoundland.

September 1506: The Wabanakiyik encounter English fishing camps on the shores of Newfoundland, as the English have taken to referring to this first land of Norasia discovered by John Cabot.

November 1506: English mariners establish contact with the Lnu'k (Micmac) heartland. The Waponahkiyik grant the English permission to trade from the burgeoning port of the Segepenegatig Lnu'k, Jipugtug. The English take to calling the town "Chiptoc".

1506 November: The Haudenosaunee Council approves Hurit’s written version of the Gayanashagowa (http://www.indigenouspeople.net/iroqcon.htm), or Constitution. Each clan in each of the 7 nations now has at least one person who can read and write Waponahkiyik-form Iroquois.

Mesoamerica:

1506 Summer: The English Crown, having heard rumors from returning sailors of plans to assist the Totonac and the wealth of the Aztecs, sent a small force to make certain that the rebelling tribes owe their allegiance to the English Crown, and not the Society of Merchant Venturers. The Great Uprising begins, with allied enemies striking against the Aztec Triple Alliance. A small number of English firearms and a few horsemen from England help to give a great boost to the rebelling tribes. The Aztec fall to great slaughter. The Totonac pledge an end to human sacrifice and allegiance to England's 'Great Speaker across the Waters'. The Totonac stand to gain great wealth from the overthrow of the Aztec, and also pledge an annual tribute in return for a small but continuing supply of English weapons. The Haustec are granted independence of sorts as a separate protectorate of England.

1506 Late: At the news of the defeat of the Aztec triple Alliance, the Tarascans, the traditional enemies of the Aztecs rejoice! Starting off with a great bonfire in the capital, lasting for five nights and days, and able to be seen throughout the Tarascan lake basin. At news of the Aztec defeat, the Otomies and other native groups that sought protection under the Tarascans from the Aztecs, begin to migrate back toward their ancestral homelands. Alarmed at the increasing loss of manpower, the Cazonci Tangáxuan II orders the temples and army to prepare to move into the former Aztec territories.

A small expedition of Englishmen sponsored by the Society of Merchant Venturers is established in the Isthmus (OTL Panama) to clear a road from the Atlantic to the Arthurian Ocean.

[Glen]

1507:

Portugal:

1507 Summer:

The Catholic Church in Portugal has been rabble rousing through the kingdom, trying to turn the people against Manoel and occasionally trying to get them to attack the Jews. Archbishops and cardinals meet with Manoel I for a three day long meeting to determine the course of Portugal's religious matters. After heated debates and barely veiled threats, Manoel I cuts most funding to the Catholic Church. Church rabble rousing begins in earnest again.

Manoel begins great works, building roads, canals, and shipyards using the incoming wealth from the Far East. He increases the size of the army and the size of the navy, he also begins sending out more nobles into Africa to oversee the construction of forts and harbors and extract tribute from the conquered tribes and cities in Africa.

De Albuquerque returns from India. He is immediately sent back with orders for De Gama to start taking control of Muslim ports and cities. De Albuquerque returns with 30 ships and hundreds of troops.

Margaret of Portugal gives birth to her third child, a girl named Beatrice.

Burgundy:

The civil war in Utrecht comes to an end. The Bishop of Utrecht has spend all his money in the war and is broke. He has not managed to regain control over Oversticht. He decides to sell his territories to Burgundy. Philip of Burgundy accepts even though part of the country is not under his control.

Saxony:

Duke Albert is killed in a skirmish with partisans from Gruningen. His duchy now passes to his fourth son Frederick, grand-master of the Teutonic order. In Saxony, resentment of the Hapsburgs begins to grow, even in Ernestine Saxony where Frederick begins to think that the Emperor has treated his brother shabbily.

Northern Italy:

1507 May 10: Duke Charles II of Savoy ends the long standing feud between Saluzzo and Savoy by marrying his cousin, Michelle Antonia of Saluzzo and laying claim as well to the Margravate of Saluzzo.

Milan:

To celebrate the Duke Francesco’s coming of age, he and his grandfather Alphonso II of Naples sign a treat of friendship, peace, and alliance. It includes articles on mutually beneficial trade and defense.

Papal States:

Alexander shuffles off the mortal coil. He is replaced by Oliviero Carafa. He takes the name Innocent IX.

Naples:

Prince Ferdinand of Naples and Prince Piero of Rossano are killed by assassination. It remains undiscovered whom had ordered it. Prince Alphonso, the ambassador to Ndongo, is first in line to the throne. Alphonso inherits his brother's title as Duke of Romagna.

Muscovy:

1507 May: The first of 2-dozen new Russian Merchant vessels are finished and launched. The first of 10 new Russian galley’s are also launched, they are built mostly for coastal defense and training.

1507-1509: Nil Sorsky decides to start evangelizing to the peasants. He tells his “Sorskivtes” that he will be leaving for the Russian countryside teaching, preaching, living off what the Lord provides. He does not ask any of them to follow him, but would not reject any company. A small band of 20 set out to preach the about reforming and going back to a simpler, apostleistic approach to God.

This move is at first seen as a bit of a joke by the Hierarchy, particularly Joseph Volotsky, until Sorskivites gain strength through the peasant population and lower clergy. Hoping to crush the heresy, the Josephineians start a smear campaign against Sorsky and his followers.

During this time, the Sorskivtes develop the reformations basic doctrines, while most don’t differ from the Orthodox, such as the Trinity, Iconography, the Resurrection, the infallibility of the Bible and the Orthodoxy’s idea’s on “Sola scriptura”. However the reformers believe that the Individual only way to God is through ones own inner world and personal emotional experiences of faith, Monks should use their time for productive labor, a modest lifestyle as well as going about seeing to the peasants and those that are sick and unable to care for themselves.

A group of Sorskivites takes it upon themselves to start learning what they can to treat the sick and heal using Christ as an example. They also glean what they can from Local healers and star experimenting with different cures for various ailments.

Sub-Saharan Africa:

Oroduwa, the king of the Oyo, receives word of fabulous tales of pale skinned peoples from the North, who tell tails of eternal life for a those who believe in a man who was nailed to a tree. These people are amazingly cunning artisans, and ride the sea in massive canoes. The people to the South are benefiting from thier patronage. He send an Embassy to the Kongo, wishing to receive an ambassador of these people. He promises safe passage in his lands, and a very healthy gift to both the King of Kongo, and the White Skinned people who follow the Man Who was Nailed to a Tree.

1507 Spring: King Diego, and a two-thousand man strong army of Ndongolese and Matambans leave to fight in Lunda. Breaking from tradition, he appoints Queen Betânia as Regent, instead of a senior member of the Macota. Acting as Regent, Queen Betânia recieves the Kongolese emissary, and signs their proposed alliance. The Macota question her eligibility to sign alliances, however the Franciscan Tendala, explains to them the powers of a Catholic regent in Italy.

1507 May: After discussions with the Franciscans from Rome, the Regent signs the proclaimation establishing the Ndongolese Inquisition. With threats of secession from the Matamban lords, the proclaimation was declared specifically foe the Ndongolese realm. Bishop Lorenzo of São Rafael is made Grand Inquisitor. Unlike its European counterpart, the Ndongolese priests give their fellow countrymen "one month's time," to convert and prove themselves good Christians. A little less than three-hundred pagani, those who refused to convert, fled into Matamba. The rest were burned at the stake. A non-Christian Matamban lord by the name of Lukeni Ndambi gathered a large Matamban following in opposition to the monarchy.

1507 Summer: Ndongo-Matamba breaks out in Civil War. The Ndongolese and Matamban Catholics against the unconverted Matambans. With her husband and a large part of the trained army off fighting in the jungles of Lunda, Queen Betânia asks the Christian Kongolese to help crush the rebellion.

Indian Sub-Continent:

1507 January: Work begins on the Imperial Road, a wide, tree- and canal-lined, brick-laid road from Diu via Chittor to Chittagong. It is for Raimal what the temples were for more architecturally-minded emperors – audacious and labor-intensive proof of his greatness.

Australasia:

Resistance to war in the Bate Salapang, after a year of prevaricating, finally collapses. The karaeng decides, for the protection of Macassan fishermen, to declare war on the Yolgnu. The First Yolgnu War begins.

Gowan soldiers are dispatched south on warships. The Gowan army land in the territory of the pro-Macassan Gunbalang, and advance east. Pro-Yolgnu tribes are massacred.

However, the Gowans quickly become stalemated in a guerrilla war against the Yolgnu. As there are no permanent settlements to occupy, the Yolgnu can rapidly vanish into the bush; dozens of soldiers are killed in raids. In retaliation, any person believed to be of Yolgnu culture is killed on sight.

China:

1507-1508: After three years of mass slaughter, the Ming armies finally had several strong victories that they could write home about.

1507 May Late: Five Jurchen tribes launching raids on Ming settlements in Duoyan were defeated by Ming generals who were finally beginning to adapt their tactics to Manchu fighting styles.

1507 Winter: By the time winter rolled in, Ming armies had marched well north of their military encampments in southern Duoyan and hot on the heels of retreating Manchu clans who now found themselves on the recieving end of punitive raids.

In 1507 and 1508, these victories were followed up on by additional Ming armies dispatched to the region, driving the Manchu tribes further north into the cold lands of the Siberian tundra, referred to in official court documents as Seber, a reference to the local Tartar tribes name for this area.

Ryukyu:

To improve volume of trade and prosperity of the colony, an adviser to King Sho shin suggests trading directly with the local people. This suggestion is put into action later that year.

New World:

Neapolitans from Messina (OTL Havana) explore the coast of the Yucatan, making contact with Mayans.

As per the treaty with their Catholic Majesties and the Pope, The island of Puerto Rico is granted as a papal fief.

The first colony in Florida is established at Saint Augustine (same location as OTL).

Totonac Protectorate:

The Speaker of the Totonac converts to Christianity after hearing the teachings of the legendary 'Brother John', an itinerant monk with the Society of Merchant Venturers. Brother John is reputed to have claimed that Quetzlcoatl was just another name for the White Christ, and that the coming of the Church represented the return promised in legend. In addition, he provides further justification for the recent ban on human sacrifice by bluntly asserting that the sacrifice of the Son of God on the Cross makes all other sacrifices unnecessary. This teaching greatly assuages the general populace, who had begun to grow concerned about possible calamities should there be no sacrifices to placate the gods. In years to come, first the nobility, then the general populace, would start to turn to Christianity, though a strong strain of native tradition would color their interpretation of the religion.

1507 Summer: Tarascan warriors pour out into the borders of the Aztec protectorate, "persuading" the tribes of the territories on the edge to come under the benevolent rule of the Caconzi Zuangua.

1507 Winter: Armed with English weapons the Totonac/Aztec protectorate warriors defeat the Tarascans outside of the valley of mexico.
The Caconzi stops his advance, warily retreating, though only slightly. English envoys offer terms of protectorate to the Tarascans similar to that of the other local protectorates. The Caconzi, influenced by his first hand witnessing of the defeat agrees, also agreeing not to attack the other protectorates, but refuses to withdraw entirely, pulling back from the valley of the mexica, but close enough to make the Aztecs worry, and instead moves south along the Arthurian coast, heading for the lands of the Mixtec and Zapotec.

The resupply ships sent to the English workers in the Isthmus (OTL Panama) is shocked to find the entire expediton missing. There are many graves along the route of the barely begun road, and a diary kept by the leader of the expedition tells of death by pestilence and occasional raids from hostile tribesmen out of the swamps.

[Glen]

1508:

France:

Marriage of King Charles IX to his cousin the Lady Marguerite d'Angoulême, which kept France from forming a foreign alliance, and secured the succession.

Benelux:

Edzard I, Count of East Frisia, joins the anti-Burgundian alliance of Guelders, Cleves/Mark and Julich-Berg.

Holy Roman Empire:

Henry Wettin, upon hearing of the death of his father, goes briefly into mourning, and becomes deeply introspective. After half a year, he emerges from his solitude a changed man, believing firmly that Albert's loyalty to an empire given to decadence and corruption helped cause his death. Henry, like Frederick the Wise and Bertholt of Mainz, becomes an advocate of widespread reforms. He begins aggressively with these reforms in Trier, stamping out the practice of indulgences and begins supporting more radical causes, such as the translation of the Bible into German and broader ecclesiastical reforms. Bertholt of Mainz largely goes along with Henry's reforms.

Albertine Saxony is deeply in debt, and attempting to remedy the situation would harm both Frederick and the Hansa. Therefore, Grand-master Frederick sells his claim to the duchy to his cousin, Frederick the Elector of Ernestine Saxony. Grand-master Frederick and the Teutonic Knights and Hansa benefit richly from the sale, balancing their books and pouring more money into their richly outfitted expedition to the new world. Duke of a now reunited Saxony, Frederick offers Gruningen for sale to the highest bidder.

The Elector of Upper Palatinate throws his hat in the ring, relying on the rich iron mines of his realm to finance his bid for the purchase of Groningen and other lands purchaseable.

Groningen is transferred to the count of East Frisia.

Marriage of Barbara, daughter of Philip the Upright, Elector of the Palatine.

Muscovy:

With the increase in trade between Moscow and Riga, Dmitriy annexes the autonomous reigns of Pskov and Volokolamsk.

Middle East:

De Albuquerque is sent to conqueror the Island of Hormuz, with 20 ships and 1000 troops. There’s a fierce battle, but in the end the Portuguese manage to take the island. They begin setting up a fort there. De Albuquerque is there for most of the year, fighting back counterattacks by the local rulers.

Subsaharan Africa:

King Aphonso warmly receives the embassy from the Oyo, and sends a diplomatic mission, including several priests, back to the Oyo court.

The army arrives on the coast and sails a few miles inland to Sao Rafael. The army is split into two groups. The larger one is headed by Frederick and is sent to combat the pagan separatists alongside the King. The smaller one is headed by Prince Alphonso and is sent to trek into the Lunda Empire to assist in the conquest.

Manoel I sends settlers to the Cape of Good Hope; the increasing travel and the growing power of the Western African Nations are becoming something of a threat. The city of Porto Manoel is established.

Indian Ocean:

Lorenco de Almeida is sent to explore up and down the eastern coast of India, they come across Sri Lanka and set up trading relations with the Kingdom of Kotte and attack the Kingdom of Jaffna, looting it’s port cities. Portuguese ships manage to reach Bengal later that year.

Indian Subcontinent:

1508 June: Prithviraj of Delhi’s second daughter, Indira, is born.

Marege (OTL Australia):

A permanent military base, Tunijallo, is set up in occupied Yolgnu territory. It becomes the first permanent Gowan settlement in Marege. The karaeng declares the annexation of all Yolgnu and anti-Macassan tribal territory.

Smallpox is introduced into Marege for the first time. The effects are, predictably, catastrophic.

Sibir Khanate:

Late 1508: An influx of people from the east causes Khan to call a council of tribal elders to discus what to do about these new people and their tales of the war between the Manchu and Ming. The Council for the moment decides to monitor the situation, but the elders also agree to expand the army and send an emissary to the Manchu to find out their intentions and strength.

Vietnam:

Champas Merchants bring home the story of the Taiwan natives attack on the Ryukyu merchants. This along with increasing attacks by pirates prompt the Champas to request protection. In response the Vietnamese begin stationing Soldiers of the Champas Ships. From 4~5 on Small vessels to a couple squads on the large vessels. They are put to work by the Champas, who have no room for dead weight supercargos. From this would grow the Viet Navy & Marine Corp.

East Asia:

Ashikaga Yoshizumi is replaced as Shogun by Ashikaga Yoshitane (who was Shogun from 1490-1493), who had secured the support of a powerful daimyo from Yamaguchi, Ouchi Yoshioki. Yoshizumi's puppeteer Hosokawa Masamoto was killed a year earlier

Pirates ransack Tsushima city, while bakufu trade ships bound for Korea are in port. They manage to escape to the Asian mainland with a huge bounty of precious goods. Newly restored Shogun Ashikaga Yoshitane, intent on preserving his seat of power and being seen as a powerful ruler, declares a 'war on piracy and pirates'. Unfortunately the bakufu has basically no navy. Fortunately, the clans of Kyushu and Chugoku have ships that they can commit to the campaign.

Norasia:

1508 March: The Susquehanna begin sending regular trade missions by canoe from Conowingo (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Conowingo%2C_Maryland&redirect=no) to the English trading post on the western side of the bay.

Another attempt is begun by the Society of Merchant Venturers to build a road through the Isthmus (OTL Panama) is begun, this time heavily relying on labor shipped in from the Totonac and the recently acquired Aztecs. The Totonac actually do better in the climate than the Aztecs, though it is still the English who suffer the most, but in future keep to the coast to avoid the miasma of the interior. Fire is used to clear large swaths of forest for the road.

1508 Late Fall - Early Winter: Warriors of Tzintzuntzan, though depleted of many Otomie mercenaries from return migrations out of Tarascan lands, invading Mixtec lands, the Mixtec having broken off from the Aztec Empire at the start of their defeat. The Mixtec fought hard and bloody, but once the western highlands fell to Tarascan superior numbers and tactics, it was largely over. Spies of the Tarascans, slip through Mixtec lands in the midst of the fighting had gone to the Zapotec kings to show them the weapons of the English, offering them all of the valley of Oaxaca which was mostly taken from them by the Mixtec and Aztec, and even Monte Alban, the old capital to the Zapotec. The Zapotec agree, also becoming a vassal state under the Tarascans but free of most tribute. The remaining Mixtec resistance in the low land valley were ambushed from the other side by the Zapotec. Though the Caconzi prohibited anymore sacrifice, many "personal" dedications to the sun god of war, Curicaueri, had bonfires lighting up the mountain peaks after the victory.

Caribbean:

Pope Innocent sends a contingent of priests to set up a Church on the Island of San Juan in the Carribean, and to educate and Christianize the natives. They are sent with a Spanish ship.

Having conflicting claims to the largest island in the Carribean, the kings of Spain and Naples sign a treaty to resolve the territorial issue. Naples would receive the western half (everything from OTL Ciego de Ávila Province west) while Spain would receive the eastern half. They two countries also agreed to send a joint expedition to the mainland south of the island (Central America). However, Columbus dies, briefly throwing the Spanish Caribbean into turmoil. Though his son is quickly able to reestablish authority over the fractious colonists, expeditions beyond the Caribbean are temporarily curtailed.

South America:

The Zipa, who heads the Southern Muisca Confederation dies without a male child. His wife, having seen the success of the Hunza, suggests to the Zaque, that he betroth his youngest son to her eldest daughter, and completely unify the Confederation. The Zaque agrees immediately, with promises of spreading his successes to the Southern peoples.

[Glen]

1509:

England:

1509 September 19: Henry VII Tudor, King of England, dies on this day. He is succeeded by his son, Arthur Prince of Wales.

1509 December 25: Arthur Tudor is formally crowned on Christmas Day, taking the regnal name King Arthur II. Historians formally mark this date as the beginning of the "Second" Arthurian Age. The new King Arthur the Second has the title, ‘King of the Britons’ added to those of the coronation ceremony.

Portugal:

Manoel I sends out ships to explore the lands discovered by Diaz in 1502.

Holy Roman Empire:

Marriage of Helene, daughter of Philip the Upright, Elector of the Palatine.

Marrying two of his daughters to the biggest patriarchs of the Rhenish free cities helps, but just as big (if not a bigger) factor was the Elector’s ordering the construction (at his expense) of new and repaired churches for all those cities who wished one built or repaired. The end result is the free cities come under Philip’s umbrella of protective authority.

At the final meeting of the Thirds (the Wendish, Rhenish, Teutonic Knights) before the dawn of the 1510 decade, Philip assures the heads of the Hansa that these cities are still free cities. The churches and cathedrals built and repaired are staunchly pro-Papacy, pointedly denouncing the teachings of Wettin.

Saxony:

Upon the recommendation of his cousin the Archbishop of Trier, Frederick of Saxony appoints Martin Luther one of his personal secretaries, and a tutor to his ten-year-old son, the precocious Ernst Frederick.

Duke Frederick of Saxony begins looking for a means of ensuring a smooth succession from this point forward. He turns to the estates, a combination of higher clergy, town burgers and nobles, and considers leaving the succession, partially at least, in their hands.

Milan:

The Duke of Milan marries Princess Anne of France. This help alleviate tensions between the two countries. France quietly drops its claim to the ducal throne.

Muscovy:

A peasant brings his 7-year-old son, Alik, to the Knights of St Andrew. The Grand Master asks why he doesn’t send him to a Monastery instead, the father replies that he did but they threw him out because he kept escaping and was leading the other boys on “crusades” to route out the heathen Mongols. The boy is very intelligent and absorbs everything he’s learned, but is undisciplined and vivid imagination, and can’t be controlled. The Grand Master accepts the young Alik, and keeps an eye on the boy.

Ottoman Empire:

1509 September 10: A great earthquake takes place at the heart of the Ottoman Empire. Annals record it as “Lesser Judgement Day.” Istanbul and the surrounding area is devastated.

1509 November: Prince Osman, son of Emperor Selim, has already begun amassing a following in the province of Istanbul: his speeches, given between the times of prayer for devoted Muslims. Osman tells of God’s impatience, that the Lord Allah indeed blesses the Empire, but has sent the earthquake to remind the people that He desires action be taken against the unbeliever – translation: Osman has been tasked by God to raise a war against the Christians in the Levant.

Jerusalem:

1509 July: Pierre DAubusson, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Prince of the Church and Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaler, dies.

1509 September: The Hospitalers select Sir Thomas Docwra, an Englishman, as their new grand master. Docwra becomes the first ever English grand master of the order.

Middle East:

De Gama sends De Albuquerque and De Almeida to Yemen to raid it for what’s needed and pirate among the Arab ships.

De Albuquerque launches an attack upon Aden, in Yemen. After brutal fighting the city is taken, but not for long as reinforcements manage to drive the Portuguese out, but not after taking what they came for.

De Almeida ravages the Arab shipping along the Yemen and Oman coasts.

Indian Ocean:

De Gama sends out ships to a place called Malacca. The Portuguese under Lorenco De Almeida discover Malacca and tell tales of the major trading going on there. A captain named Ferdinand Magellan dies in Malacca after taking ill. Lorenco De Almeida explores in and around Malacca for the next year.

Twenty ships under Francisco De Almeida arrive to reinforce De Gama.

De Albuquerque successfully returns from fortifying and laying claim to Hormuz.

Vijayanagara Empire:

De Gama strikes a deal with the Vijayanagara Empire as one of it’s provinces rises up in rebellion. They’ll provide horses and artillery for the Vijayanagara in return for Goa.

Viranarasimha Raya is killed while putting down a revolt , His Half brother Krishna Deva Raya becomes Emperor.

Marege (OTL Australia):

The war continues to go badly for both sides; the Yolgnu cannot score a decisive victory to drive away the Gowans, yet the difficulties of sustained guerrilla warfare cost the kingdom heavily.

In desperation, the Gowans turn to the use of proxies. Pro-Macassan tribes are used for the bulk of the fighting, and commit some of the war's most notable atrocities, including the massacre of Yolgnu women and children.

Gallarang, a Yolgnu resistance fighter, becomes unofficial leader of the Yolgnu through his efforts as a general and a warlord. The demands of the war make his rule increasingly authoritarian.

Sibir Khanate:

The emissaries of the Sibir reach the Manchu early the next year and meet with the leaders and hear exaggerated stories of their slaughter by the Ming. The stories surprise and alarmed the Siberian emissaries; they send word back to the Khan. The Siberians' sympathy brings them to invite the Manchu back to Qashliq.

China:

1509 - 1510: Two additional years of warfare lead the armies of the Hongzhi Emperor to a status quo victory over the Manchu tribes who now found themselves subjugated under the rule of the Ming Dynasty. Sibeoci Fiyanggū and his Odoli Clan were driven north, beyond their native Manchurian fields, into the frozen tundra and forests of Eastern Siberia (Seber). After their defeat at the hands of the Hongzhi Emperor's armies and the splintering of the Manchu clans, it would take several decades for any semblance of order to be restored to the now entirely nomadic Manchu tribes, who found themselves without a home, and without much grazing land available to them. Only at the turn of the 17th Century would the Jurchen clans again find themselves to be in an advantageous position to threatten to the northern Ming flanks.

In China, while the loss of many tens of thousands of lives in the Manchu conflict was regrettable and caused the emperor much anguish, the victory over the Manchu tribes and the opening of all of Manchuria to Han settlement opened a doorway to the Ming not opened since the days of the Han emperor. The Ming now had access to all of the horses, grazing land, and fertile farm land necessary to quench the thirst of the peasant class for generations to come. Along with that, it was no longer necessary for the Ming armies in the west to continue treating the other nomadic peoples, the Mongols, as unequal trading partners.

By the end of 1510, the Ming armies would begin the process of becoming entirely self-sufficient in horses needed by their cavalry. Within a few decades, the hearty horses of the steppe would be bred by the thousands in Manchuria and interior China, leaving the Mongol tribes increasingly on the losing end of Ming trading policy.

Japan:

Ouchi Yoshioki rallies clans from around his home province of Suo who are loyal to Shogun Ashikaga Yoshitane. Pro Ouchi/Ashikaga clan leaders talk of forming a league to protect the unstable Shogunate, and their own positions of power in western Japan.

East Asia:

The Ryukyuan colony in northern Taiwan is taking too much government time away from domestic affairs. In the past few years, word has reached Okinawa of a new commercial concept emerging out of China - called the 'joint stock company', or something similar. Ryukyuan government officials and rich commoners are sent to China to learn of this concept, and the ramifications it may have for Ryukyu - a small nation with disproportionately high commercial influence.

Norasia:

1509 Spring: Control being established, the Caconzi begins to change the political-social structure, slowly allowing the old religions to be put into tradition, approving of Christianity, even putting himself in charge of the christian church throughout the Tarascan state, declaring it The Church of The Purhepecha.

South America:

The Zaque spread East and completely surrounds the lake (Maracaibo) and even further along the coast. He avoids war where possible, and fight when necessary.

He therefore tries to marry into tribes when possible, and when war is the last option, to be forgiving when hostilities end. To this end, he never takes control of villages and cities, but rather, sets up fortified trading stations with a mind to bringing the less civilized peoples into the Confederation. He tries to place these stations at strategic points that will benefit trade for the most part, but they are truly fortified.

The Muisca have made their way to the Orinoco Delta. Many fortified trading posts are built in the area. After this they will fortify the coastal areas against the Caribs, and turn inwards in regards to extending their trading network.

Incan Empire:

The number of words in use has doubledd to two hundred , and the Inca is taking a very serious interest in this. One of his (many) sons, Washkar, who is a favorite of the Inca after Atawallpa and a few others, takes a serious interest in this and learns the khipu. He then begs the Inca to allow him to build a "library" and academy for khipumaynacs. The Inca agrees and construction begins.

[Glen]

1510:

England:

King Arthur the Second forms a new order of knighthood, the Order of the Round Table. Among the first to be inducted into the prestigious new order is his brother, Henry Tudor.

France:

King Charles IX takes the throne in his own right. A son was born to Queen Marguerite months later, whom they named Philippe. He was made Dauphin soon after. Quite the humanist himself, the King invited many humanists to France and his court. Like his mother, the King appeared to be against using military force as much as possible. However, unlike his mother, he believed the State should be protected. By carefully raising taxes on small items for the nobility, Charles IX was able to raise a formidable army, while keeping the third estate placated.

Portugal:

Queen Margaret gives birth to her fourth child, a boy named Francisco.

Lorenco De Almeida returns from Malacca and the surrounding areas, he tells the tales of the rich trade and the wealth that flows through there.

Spain:

The Spanish army and navy, which have been steadily building up since the Mameluke War, continue to build. This worsens the Spanish financial situation.

Saxony:

1510-1511: Frederick begins streamlining the administration of his reunited duchy, and promulgates a succession law by which the estates will choose from among the sons of Wettin "one duke for all of Saxony", by which decision all of the other sons will be bound, andall of the estates likewise. While the duke remains sole ruler over Saxony, this decision helps strengthen the power of the estates.

Hanseatic League:

The addition of Lucca and Ostia to the Hansa has forced a reorganization. The league meets in a grand council at Lubeck. The grand council agrees to the division of the Hansa into new thirds: Rhenish, Wendish and Italian. The former Prussian third, which had been suffering after the Levonian war, was absorbed into the Wendish Federation, though the grand-master of the Teutonic Order greatly feared that the Elector of Brandenburg and others would probably end up with most of the old Prussian lands. The grand council was confirmed as a biannual event, with the council of each third to meet once a year. The Rhenish and Italian thirds were tasked with expanding Hanseatic networks in their areas. Malta was given semi-autonomous status.

The Hanseatic League launches an expedition to the new world, supported by several German nobles including the count Palatine and Duke of Saxony. Their object is the tip of the southern continent, and a possible route into the Arthurian Ocean.

Venice:

1510 - 1511 Winter: His wife dead from sickness, the Doge of Venice prepares to marry a member of one of Mantua's noble families -- only for her to snub him by marrying a Mantuan man of a station lower than the Doge's.

Milan:

A cadet branch of the Abravanal family moves to Milan to help the Duke finance the construction of several public works projects designed by da Vinci.

Muscovy:

The monk Philotheus of Pskov records the Legend of the White Cowl, which asserts the historical and religious inevitability of Russia's place as the heir to the Byzantine Empire's temporal and religious authority.

1510 August 15: Vasili getting frustrated with his nephew’s rule and lax policies regarding the reformers and feeling that the third Rome is losing it’s prestige, finally sets out for Istanbul. When he leaves he offers Joseph Volotsky, Clergy and Boyars that are loyal to him as well as feed up with Dmitriy’s rule to join him. He promises to get land and positions in his court for the Boyars, and High Ranks in the Orthodox Hierarchy in Istanbul.

Black Sea:

September 1510: As Vasili and his entourage are being transported to Constantinople on the Black Sea a fierce storm blows in, the crew valiantly tries to save the galley, but their efforts prove fruitless when a waterspout suddenly springs forth and destroys the ship, only one sailor survives, washing ashore near Varna.

Sub-Saharan Africa:

1510 Spring: The "Decisione vittoriosa," is decided upon by King Diego and the Macota of the Kingdom of Ndongo-Matamba. In return for complete internal autonomy, and freedom to practice their own religions, over 4,000 Jaga Cassangi mercenaries are sent to finally destroy the Lunda empire, under to command of Prince Marcos, King Diego's brother.

1510 Summer: The King's eldest son, the Duke of Benguela, is betrothed to the daughter of the chief-king of the Lunda states, the king of Luba. She is christened Maria-Caterina, and upon marriage to the Prince, styled Duchess of Benguela. She brings with her a large dowry of iron ore, salt, and palm oil- main items of the Lunda state of Luba.

1510 Fall: A company of jungle-crusaders capture the Luba king, and revoke all treaties with him. With the other Lunda states captured, the Crusade has proven successfull. The king of Luba is executed in his capital immediatley after declaring his Catholic daughter, the Duchess of Benguela, "Empress of Lunda and Queen of Luba." The other Lunda states acknowledge her as their sovereign.

1510 Winter: An extravagant three-week long celebration of victory in the Crusade and of Christmas is held in Ndongo. King Diego is crowned "Emperor of Lunda, King of Luba and Kazembe-Lunda," by the Bishop. Following the festivities, many missionaries and soldiers are sent into the Lunda states, forcing the peoples to either convert or die. Food supply is cut off to the quarantined states until the entire state is either converted or killed.

Middle East:

Francisco De Almeida is sent back to ravage the Yemen and Oman coasts.

Indian Subcontinent:

Rajamaharana:

Portuguese establish their dominion of India in Goa.

1510 June: Raimal takes a celebratory tour along the first stretch of the Imperial Road to be completed, from Chittor to Mathura.

De Gama takes possession of Goa, from the Vijayanagara Empire. He makes it the capitol of the State of India.

De Gama sends de Albuquerque and Lorenco de Almeida back to Malacca, to take the city. He leaves with a hefty 26 ships and 1600 troops.

Trade is opened with the Bengal.

Australasia:

A heavily armed fleet under Francisco de Almeida and his son launch an attack upon Malacca and the surrounding areas. it takes six months to fully subjugate the trading city, de Almeida massacring thousands of Muslims to break their hold on the city.

Marege (OTL Australia):

In Kai Djawa, the first permanent Yolgnu trading station, for pearls and trepang, is established. Similar settlements are set up in Marege.

Macassan economic influence begins to spread inland through the use of proxies. The first treaty with an inland tribe is concluded, by which they will supply labour for technology and food.

Yolgnu: The Collapse, 1510-1530:

By the end of the First Yolgnu War, Gallarang had been established as paramount leader of the Yolgnu. This status was confirmed in the First Makaratta, which established him as bate, or prince, of Yolgnu.

Gallarang was a warlord, and ruled his nation as such. Recognising the adaptability of the Gowan state system, he established a Yolgnu Bate Salapang, a parliament of respected elders and military leaders. The devastation of smallpox led to the realisation that, to prevent conquest by one of the ambitious military powers off the Australian coast, the traditional Yolgnu life was not, in the long term, viable.

Gallarang's 'land clearance' policies were brutal, harsh but ultimately effective. Coastal tribes were forced into fishing settlements along the coast; as no crops had yet been established in Marege due to the inclement climate, their survival was dependent upon fluctuating fish stocks. The already imperilled Yolgnu population was put at further risk by growing exploitation of their waters. Each village maintained, to a degree, traditional forms of government, with a strong emphasis on respect for elders and tribal consensus. However, Gallarang's authority was not seriously questioned at the time.

Unfortunately, the power that Gallarang hoped to establish proved ultimately unstable. He was killed in a military coup in 1520, with subsequent warlords proving ineffective. The Yolgnu lacked the infrastructure, the numbers or the stability for a lasting state, at least at this point; lacking writing, metallurgy, or close allies, the state was ultimately doomed.

By 1530, the Yolgnu nation had broken down into a series of coastal fishing villages, without any central authority. Each was ruled by a council of local elders, who ruled by consensus; however, there was no serious attempt at the development of national forms. The first Yolgnu nation had collapsed, and their numbers had been reduced to mere hundreds.

Sibir Khanate:

After hearing the Manchu’s story, the Khan offers the Manchu Land in the Southern Steppes as well as possible revenge against the Ming. Privately the Khan doubts that anything will be able to be done. However realizing the dangers of the Ming he starts a modernization of the Army. He asks the Manchu leader to send some of his most experienced soldiers to Qashliq to help train his Army.

Japan:

This years marks the first major engagements in the pirate wars. Warships of the more seagoing clans of western Japan (Kyushu, Shikoku, Chugoku districts) are committed against pirates operating in Japanese waters. The policy of interception soon becomes more aggressive when ship captains are encouraged to pursue pirates into international waters. At first casualties among the Japanese are high, but they are soon reduced when they gain experience in naval warfare.

The Nambu clan establish more fishing villages and colonies on the east coast of Ezo (OTL Hokkaido).

Norasia:

1510 January: The Stadacona and Hochelega tribes officially expand from one clan to three. This reflects the fact that roughly a dozen villages of formerly independent Iroquois-speaking peoples along Kaniatarowanenneh River (http://www.wampumchronicles.com/kaniatarowanenneh.html) have fallen into the orbit of each tribe over the past few years. The whole river from Lake Ontario to the Waponahkiyik lands is now solidly Haudenosaunee territory.

Caribbean:

After arriving in San Juan, the priests from the Vatican find the island in a state of chaos as smallpox ravages the natives. They quickly establish a hospital and church and get to work healing and converting.

[Glen]

Bump bump bump

[Glen]

1510:

England:

King Arthur the Second forms a new order of knighthood, the Order of the Round Table. Among the first to be inducted into the prestigious new order is his brother, Henry Tudor.

France:

King Charles IX takes the throne in his own right. A son was born to Queen Marguerite months later, whom they named Philippe. He was made Dauphin soon after. Quite the humanist himself, the King invited many humanists to France and his court. Like his mother, the King appeared to be against using military force as much as possible. However, unlike his mother, he believed the State should be protected. By carefully raising taxes on small items for the nobility, Charles IX was able to raise a formidable army, while keeping the third estate placated.

Portugal:

Queen Margaret gives birth to her fourth child, a boy named Francisco.

Lorenco De Almeida returns from Malacca and the surrounding areas, he tells the tales of the rich trade and the wealth that flows through there.

Spain:

The Spanish army and navy, which have been steadily building up since the Mameluke War, continue to build. This worsens the Spanish financial situation.

Saxony:

1510-1511: Frederick begins streamlining the administration of his reunited duchy, and promulgates a succession law by which the estates will choose from among the sons of Wettin "one duke for all of Saxony", by which decision all of the other sons will be bound, andall of the estates likewise. While the duke remains sole ruler over Saxony, this decision helps strengthen the power of the estates.

Hanseatic League:

The addition of Lucca and Ostia to the Hansa has forced a reorganization. The league meets in a grand council at Lubeck. The grand council agrees to the division of the Hansa into new thirds: Rhenish, Wendish and Italian. The former Prussian third, which had been suffering after the Levonian war, was absorbed into the Wendish Federation, though the grand-master of the Teutonic Order greatly feared that the Elector of Brandenburg and others would probably end up with most of the old Prussian lands. The grand council was confirmed as a biannual event, with the council of each third to meet once a year. The Rhenish and Italian thirds were tasked with expanding Hanseatic networks in their areas. Malta was given semi-autonomous status.

The Hanseatic League launches an expedition to the new world, supported by several German nobles including the count Palatine and Duke of Saxony. Their object is the tip of the southern continent, and a possible route into the Arthurian Ocean.

Venice:

1510 - 1511 Winter: His wife dead from sickness, the Doge of Venice prepares to marry a member of one of Mantua's noble families -- only for her to snub him by marrying a Mantuan man of a station lower than the Doge's.

Milan:

A cadet branch of the Abravanal family moves to Milan to help the Duke finance the construction of several public works projects designed by da Vinci.

Muscovy:

The monk Philotheus of Pskov records the Legend of the White Cowl, which asserts the historical and religious inevitability of Russia's place as the heir to the Byzantine Empire's temporal and religious authority.

1510 August 15: Vasili getting frustrated with his nephew’s rule and lax policies regarding the reformers and feeling that the third Rome is losing it’s prestige, finally sets out for Istanbul. When he leaves he offers Joseph Volotsky, Clergy and Boyars that are loyal to him as well as feed up with Dmitriy’s rule to join him. He promises to get land and positions in his court for the Boyars, and High Ranks in the Orthodox Hierarchy in Istanbul.

Black Sea:

September 1510: As Vasili and his entourage are being transported to Constantinople on the Black Sea a fierce storm blows in, the crew valiantly tries to save the galley, but their efforts prove fruitless when a waterspout suddenly springs forth and destroys the ship, only one sailor survives, washing ashore near Varna.

Sub-Saharan Africa:

1510 Spring: The "Decisione vittoriosa," is decided upon by King Diego and the Macota of the Kingdom of Ndongo-Matamba. In return for complete internal autonomy, and freedom to practice their own religions, over 4,000 Jaga Cassangi mercenaries are sent to finally destroy the Lunda empire, under to command of Prince Marcos, King Diego's brother.

1510 Summer: The King's eldest son, the Duke of Benguela, is betrothed to the daughter of the chief-king of the Lunda states, the king of Luba. She is christened Maria-Caterina, and upon marriage to the Prince, styled Duchess of Benguela. She brings with her a large dowry of iron ore, salt, and palm oil- main items of the Lunda state of Luba.

1510 Fall: A company of jungle-crusaders capture the Luba king, and revoke all treaties with him. With the other Lunda states captured, the Crusade has proven successfull. The king of Luba is executed in his capital immediatley after declaring his Catholic daughter, the Duchess of Benguela, "Empress of Lunda and Queen of Luba." The other Lunda states acknowledge her as their sovereign.

1510 Winter: An extravagant three-week long celebration of victory in the Crusade and of Christmas is held in Ndongo. King Diego is crowned "Emperor of Lunda, King of Luba and Kazembe-Lunda," by the Bishop. Following the festivities, many missionaries and soldiers are sent into the Lunda states, forcing the peoples to either convert or die. Food supply is cut off to the quarantined states until the entire state is either converted or killed.

Middle East:

Francisco De Almeida is sent back to ravage the Yemen and Oman coasts.

Indian Subcontinent:

Rajamaharana:

Portuguese establish their dominion of India in Goa.

1510 June: Raimal takes a celebratory tour along the first stretch of the Imperial Road to be completed, from Chittor to Mathura.

De Gama takes possession of Goa, from the Vijayanagara Empire. He makes it the capitol of the State of India.

De Gama sends de Albuquerque and Lorenco de Almeida back to Malacca, to take the city. He leaves with a hefty 26 ships and 1600 troops.

Trade is opened with the Bengal.

Australasia:

A heavily armed fleet under Francisco de Almeida and his son launch an attack upon Malacca and the surrounding areas. it takes six months to fully subjugate the trading city, de Almeida massacring thousands of Muslims to break their hold on the city.

Marege (OTL Australia):

In Kai Djawa, the first permanent Yolgnu trading station, for pearls and trepang, is established. Similar settlements are set up in Marege.

Macassan economic influence begins to spread inland through the use of proxies. The first treaty with an inland tribe is concluded, by which they will supply labour for technology and food.

Yolgnu: The Collapse, 1510-1530:

By the end of the First Yolgnu War, Gallarang had been established as paramount leader of the Yolgnu. This status was confirmed in the First Makaratta, which established him as bate, or prince, of Yolgnu.

Gallarang was a warlord, and ruled his nation as such. Recognising the adaptability of the Gowan state system, he established a Yolgnu Bate Salapang, a parliament of respected elders and military leaders. The devastation of smallpox led to the realisation that, to prevent conquest by one of the ambitious military powers off the Australian coast, the traditional Yolgnu life was not, in the long term, viable.

Gallarang's 'land clearance' policies were brutal, harsh but ultimately effective. Coastal tribes were forced into fishing settlements along the coast; as no crops had yet been established in Marege due to the inclement climate, their survival was dependent upon fluctuating fish stocks. The already imperilled Yolgnu population was put at further risk by growing exploitation of their waters. Each village maintained, to a degree, traditional forms of government, with a strong emphasis on respect for elders and tribal consensus. However, Gallarang's authority was not seriously questioned at the time.

Unfortunately, the power that Gallarang hoped to establish proved ultimately unstable. He was killed in a military coup in 1520, with subsequent warlords proving ineffective. The Yolgnu lacked the infrastructure, the numbers or the stability for a lasting state, at least at this point; lacking writing, metallurgy, or close allies, the state was ultimately doomed.

By 1530, the Yolgnu nation had broken down into a series of coastal fishing villages, without any central authority. Each was ruled by a council of local elders, who ruled by consensus; however, there was no serious attempt at the development of national forms. The first Yolgnu nation had collapsed, and their numbers had been reduced to mere hundreds.

Sibir Khanate:

After hearing the Manchu’s story, the Khan offers the Manchu Land in the Southern Steppes as well as possible revenge against the Ming. Privately the Khan doubts that anything will be able to be done. However realizing the dangers of the Ming he starts a modernization of the Army. He asks the Manchu leader to send some of his most experienced soldiers to Qashliq to help train his Army.

Japan:

This years marks the first major engagements in the pirate wars. Warships of the more seagoing clans of western Japan (Kyushu, Shikoku, Chugoku districts) are committed against pirates operating in Japanese waters. The policy of interception soon becomes more aggressive when ship captains are encouraged to pursue pirates into international waters. At first casualties among the Japanese are high, but they are soon reduced when they gain experience in naval warfare.

The Nambu clan establish more fishing villages and colonies on the east coast of Ezo (OTL Hokkaido).

Norasia:

1510 January: The Stadacona and Hochelega tribes officially expand from one clan to three. This reflects the fact that roughly a dozen villages of formerly independent Iroquois-speaking peoples along Kaniatarowanenneh River (http://www.wampumchronicles.com/kaniatarowanenneh.html) have fallen into the orbit of each tribe over the past few years. The whole river from Lake Ontario to the Waponahkiyik lands is now solidly Haudenosaunee territory.

1510 Summer - 1516 Winter: Caconzi Zuangua the commision of three expeditionary groups, each ranging from 1,000-7,000 settlers of Tarascan,Mixtec,Mexica,Otomie origin, soldiers, and a few religious exiles.
Each following a different path. One following the pacific coast, another one heading towards shores north of the Huastec protectorate, stopping their expansion north, and the last expedition heading into the Chichimeca lands, heartland of the nomadic tribes to unite the two other land claims. Establishing settlements and expanding the borders.

Caribbean:

After arriving in San Juan, the priests from the Vatican find the island in a state of chaos as smallpox ravages the natives. They quickly establish a hospital and church and get to work healing and converting.


1510:

England:

King Arthur the Second forms a new order of knighthood, the Order of the Round Table. Among the first to be inducted into the prestigious new order is his brother, Henry Tudor.

France:

King Charles IX takes the throne in his own right. A son was born to Queen Marguerite months later, whom they named Philippe. He was made Dauphin soon after. Quite the humanist himself, the King invited many humanists to France and his court. Like his mother, the King appeared to be against using military force as much as possible. However, unlike his mother, he believed the State should be protected. By carefully raising taxes on small items for the nobility, Charles IX was able to raise a formidable army, while keeping the third estate placated.

Portugal:

Queen Margaret gives birth to her fourth child, a boy named Francisco.

Lorenco De Almeida returns from Malacca and the surrounding areas, he tells the tales of the rich trade and the wealth that flows through there.

Spain:

The Spanish army and navy, which have been steadily building up since the Mameluke War, continue to build. This worsens the Spanish financial situation.

Saxony:

1510-1511: Frederick begins streamlining the administration of his reunited duchy, and promulgates a succession law by which the estates will choose from among the sons of Wettin "one duke for all of Saxony", by which decision all of the other sons will be bound, andall of the estates likewise. While the duke remains sole ruler over Saxony, this decision helps strengthen the power of the estates.

Hanseatic League:

The addition of Lucca and Ostia to the Hansa has forced a reorganization. The league meets in a grand council at Lubeck. The grand council agrees to the division of the Hansa into new thirds: Rhenish, Wendish and Italian. The former Prussian third, which had been suffering after the Levonian war, was absorbed into the Wendish Federation, though the grand-master of the Teutonic Order greatly feared that the Elector of Brandenburg and others would probably end up with most of the old Prussian lands. The grand council was confirmed as a biannual event, with the council of each third to meet once a year. The Rhenish and Italian thirds were tasked with expanding Hanseatic networks in their areas. Malta was given semi-autonomous status.

The Hanseatic League launches an expedition to the new world, supported by several German nobles including the count Palatine and Duke of Saxony. Their object is the tip of the southern continent, and a possible route into the Arthurian Ocean.

Venice:

1510 - 1511 Winter: His wife dead from sickness, the Doge of Venice prepares to marry a member of one of Mantua's noble families -- only for her to snub him by marrying a Mantuan man of a station lower than the Doge's.

Milan:

A cadet branch of the Abravanal family moves to Milan to help the Duke finance the construction of several public works projects designed by da Vinci.

Muscovy:

The monk Philotheus of Pskov records the Legend of the White Cowl, which asserts the historical and religious inevitability of Russia's place as the heir to the Byzantine Empire's temporal and religious authority.

1510 August 15: Vasili getting frustrated with his nephew’s rule and lax policies regarding the reformers and feeling that the third Rome is losing it’s prestige, finally sets out for Istanbul. When he leaves he offers Joseph Volotsky, Clergy and Boyars that are loyal to him as well as feed up with Dmitriy’s rule to join him. He promises to get land and positions in his court for the Boyars, and High Ranks in the Orthodox Hierarchy in Istanbul.

Black Sea:

September 1510: As Vasili and his entourage are being transported to Constantinople on the Black Sea a fierce storm blows in, the crew valiantly tries to save the galley, but their efforts prove fruitless when a waterspout suddenly springs forth and destroys the ship, only one sa