Henry the Great.

[Jammy]

Originally Posted by DAv

Well the next year promises to be interesting. I think that France is going to be in for some very nasty surprises at this rate.

Agreed a usefull ally venice could be, i think

[arctic warrior]

Originally Posted by Quiet_Man

(1643) November/December. Denmark was in mourning. The death of Christian the 4th from his coma seemed a bad omen for the future. His son Christian the 5th however came back to be crowned a changed man. No longer a slave to gluttony or indulgence and prepared to listen and be advised by the Rigsraad he was seen as the hope for Denmark’s future.

To Gustav of Sweden the future looked quite bright, Sweden was on the cusp of becoming a major European and colonial power. His biggest problem was actually paying for it.

The important issue in Denmark is the relations between King and Rigsraad (thanks for adopting the Danish title, its such a clumsy translation). With Christian 5. listening to his Rigsraad the finances should quickly be put in order and Denmarks larger economic resources than Swedens be felt.
Northern Germany traditionally being the Danish security zone would necessiate a clear deal Denmark and Sweden in-between. Something like we pay for part of your army and you stay out of our security zone! Already Sweden does owe Denmark for transportation of reinforcements of her army.
Another thing is Swedens lack of a large merchant fleet in comparison to Denmark-Norways and thus her ability to keep communications with her colony in Australia.

[Quiet_Man]

Originally Posted by arctic warrior

The important issue in Denmark is the relations between King and Rigsraad (thanks for adopting the Danish title, its such a clumsy translation). With Christian 5. listening to his Rigsraad the finances should quickly be put in order and Denmarks larger economic resources than Swedens be felt.

That was my guess too, thanks for confirming it. Denmark will expand quite a bit after the war is settled and will set up more colonies too.

Originally Posted by arctic warrior

Northern Germany traditionally being the Danish security zone would necessiate a clear deal Denmark and Sweden in-between. Something like we pay for part of your army and you stay out of our security zone! Already Sweden does owe Denmark for transportation of reinforcements of her army.

Already in hand, I have already drawn a tentative map of the post war situation (though it keeps altering as the story does) I think it will work.

Originally Posted by arctic warrior

Another thing is Swedens lack of a large merchant fleet in comparison to Denmark-Norways and thus her ability to keep communications with her colony in Australia.

I have given that some thought, it might be an area of mutual co-operation and understanding between both countries.

[17inc]

Hi quiet man this a great readed are there plans for Henry to from troops like 1st Foot guards or are they all ready up and runing

[Quiet_Man]

Originally Posted by 17inc

Hi quiet man this a great readed are there plans for Henry to from troops like 1st Foot guards or are they all ready up and runing

Yes of a type, Henry is a quick learner. At the moment the British are just getting accomplished at volley fire and complex battlefield formation manoeuvres.

[Quiet_Man]

(1644) January. Henry returns to France and begins meetings with his officers to discuss an outline for the coming campaign. The outline plan is for a reinforced main army under Henry to seize Amiens then probe and press the French into thinking he is aiming for Paris, whilst Montrose sweeps west to seize Dieppe, Havre and Rouen.
Montrose appoints Henry’s cousin Prince Rupert of Bohemia as his cavalry commander.
Parliament debates the raising of a third British army for deployment in Europe, this will take some time and require some training, but it is felt to be essential to ending the campaign swiftly. Parliament with Henry’s consent appoints Thomas Fairfax as commanding General.
Parliament with many people flocking to the cities begins to debate land reform and civic development.

Perplexed colonists in Boston report America's 1st UFO sighting.

The Dutch make preparations for their military campaign, in co-ordination with the British, they plan to seize Reims.

King Christian 5th of Denmark recruits mercenaries and bolsters the Danish army with volunteers. His plans are to finally meet and beat Wallenstein and move south to relieve various Protestant states desperate for relief from the occupying armies.

Gustav plans to use his reinforced army to remove Tilly from Saxony then sweep east to link up with the Danes. A second Swedish army is also en-route, to be commanded by Gustave Karlsson Horn. Gustav is also relieved that a war chest from Britain, Holland and Denmark has arrived to pay his troops.

In France, Cinq-Mars places the French army under the over all command of Cadet la Perle he (Cinq-Mars) believes it can overwhelm the British and Dutch by sheer numbers and retake the gains made by the Northern Alliance, Cadet la Perle is not so sure, but keeps his thoughts very much to himself as people who disagree with Cinq-Mars have a tendency to disappear.

In The HRE, Emperor Ferdinand III survives an assassination attempt, though no-one is sure of which 3 factions (Tilly, Wallenstein, Electors) it came from. Both Wallenstein and Tilly have plans to further aggrandise their existing possessions by defeating the Swedes and Danes to the north then fight it out to see who becomes the new Emperor.

Philip of Spain, plans to re-unite his realm this year by utterly crushing the opposition rebels under Don Francisco de Melo. Though a series of alliances and promises by de Melo with France to obtain funding for his troops have made this a lot harder than Philip and his ministers first envisaged.

Savoy and Venice form an alliance to resist any further expansion from France, the HRE or the Papal States.

[DAv]

Pretty random UFO tidbit there but makes the TL all the more entertaining. Will Britian start to offer Phillip aid for certain colonial concessions I wonder...

[Jammy]

Originally Posted by DAv

Pretty random UFO tidbit there but makes the TL all the more entertaining. Will Britian start to offer Phillip aid for certain colonial concessions I wonder...

Exactly what i was thinking.

Interesting about Prince Rupert, did his parents stay in controll of Bohemia then?

I bet Cadet la Perle is worried

[Quiet_Man]

Originally Posted by Jammy

Exactly what i was thinking.

Interesting about Prince Rupert, did his parents stay in controll of Bohemia then?

I bet Cadet la Perle is worried

No Rupert's parents live in Greenwich where they are in exile as the palatinate was never recovered.

[Quiet_Man]

Tentative map showing British penetration of the New World. The coastal areas have much higher populations than the interior, but colonisation is at least 4 times as much as it was in OTL. Henricia has only about 2300 colonists in total.

[Dathi THorfinnsson]

Originally Posted by Quiet_Man

The British Parliament at the request of Denmark authorised the transportation of Protestant refugees, into Britain and straight off to the New World. Britain’s colonial fleet was soon moving up to 100 colonists per week off to the Americas all of whom were prepared to swear loyalty to the British crown simply to get out of Europe. Most were transported into the former French holdings around Montreal and Quebec along with supplies and tools sufficient enough to keep them going for a year. Parliament also requested and received help from the Haudenosaunee to make sure the settlers survived, so long as they didn’t end up on Haudenosaunee land.

WTF!?

You have said that the Haudenosaunee have treaties with the Empire respecting its territory, etc. Fine, wonderful.

1) However, how on earth would they provide support for immigrants in Montreal and Quebec? The 5 nations are in OTL New York state, on a line approximately from Albany to Buffalo. They are also not terribly numerous, and transport of tons of e.g. food, even if they had it available, would be horrendously difficult. Or were you thinking of a set of 'Squanto' type instructors? In which case, why would it have to be Aboriginals doing the instruction.

2) According to the map, the Haudenosaunee now have the north shore of Lake Ontario. When did that happen

[Quiet_Man]

Originally Posted by Dathi THorfinnsson

WTF!?

You have said that the Haudenosaunee have treaties with the Empire respecting its territory, etc. Fine, wonderful.

1) However, how on earth would they provide support for immigrants in Montreal and Quebec? The 5 nations are in OTL New York state, on a line approximately from Albany to Buffalo. They are also not terribly numerous, and transport of tons of e.g. food, even if they had it available, would be horrendously difficult. Or were you thinking of a set of 'Squanto' type instructors? In which case, why would it have to be Aboriginals doing the instruction.

2) According to the map, the Haudenosaunee now have the north shore of Lake Ontario. When did that happen

The British just use the expertise of the Haudenosaunee to teach the colonists what they can and can't eat, help clear land etc. The British have also supported the Haudenosaunee in their wars against the Huron, Attawandaron, Tionontati and Eriez tribes and have pushed the tribes boundaries (on paper) well into Algonquin territory.
The tribes number somewhere in the region of 25,000, (many through adoption) they don't transport the food, they act as scouts and guides. In return the British stay out of settling their territory. This is easy enough for the British as there has been no French interference (too early) in supporting hostile tribes against the Haudenosaunee, so there is a treaty similar to the sacred covenant.
Overall the British are impressed with their native neighbours and many admire the legal/political system the Haudenosaunee have with its checks and balances. Henry himself has met 4 of the 5 tribal leaders when they came to London to sign a treaty of friendship.

[Quiet_Man]

(1644) February. Taking advantage of good supplies and frozen ground, Henry mounts a surprise seizure of the town of Cambrai having been given assurances from the townsfolk that the French Garrison was understrength and did not expect any British movement. The town was swiftly taken as the inhabitants drove off the garrison and allowed the British into the town. Henry then added to the guns defending the town fully garrisoned it and withdrew daring the French to attack the town, knowing Henry’s army was out there and splitting the French armies from easy mutual support.
The British Parliament begins debating the colonial boundaries of North America with a view to colonial representation (observer status) within Parliament.
Henry discusses with parliament on the extension of the nobility to North America. Despite a few objections by some of his own nobility about diluting the principles of patents of nobility most see this as a sensible step towards rewarding those abroad who serve the state well. Word is sent to the various governors to propose men for ennoblement the aim being the long term stability of the colonies. Many of the burgeoning middle class in Britain see an opportunity knocking and make plans to emigrate. Plans are set in motion for Prince James to visit the colonies and ennoble men of worth.
In North America treaties are signed with the Choctaw, Creek, Seminole and Chickasaw nations granting them equal rights within British North America and protecting their claimed lands from settlement.
Joint Britannic/Dutch settlements are made along the western and eastern coasts of Southern Africa as safe resupply posts before and after the Skeleton coast as well as on the tip of South Africa. These are mostly a fort with a small enclave for inland trade as well as docking and basic repair facilities for Britannic/Dutch shipping, though other members of the Northern alliance are allowed to use them without port fees.
There is rejoicing in Britain at the birth of an heir to Prince James and his wife Christina. A son Henry William Stuart.
Henry’s daughter Christina Elizabeth is betrothed to William II von Nassau-Dillenburg, Prince of Orange.

The Dutch although surprised by the actions of the British army are in very good spirits, well armed, supplied and trained they expect to inflict further shocks on France as soon as the ground is firm enough to fight on.

King Christian 5th rejoins his army at Osnabruck and makes sure preparations are in hand for a forthcoming offensive designed to force Wallenstein out of the fortress of Breisach and south into Bavaria. Christian hopes that by seizing Breisach he can secure his flank against any surprise French move to reinforce their HRE allies. Despite being smaller than Wallenstein’s forces, the Danes have now standardised the majority of their arms and tactics, greatly simplifying their logistics for the forthcoming campaign.

King Gustav has travelled back to Sweden to consult with his chancellor Oxenstierna and also to see to the formal adoption of Robert Stuart as his heir apparent. The dynasty formed becoming the House of Vasa-Stuart. Robert is betrothed to Sophie Auguste Prinzessin von Holstein-Gottorp.

In the French court there is anger that this British King can seemingly attack and win without opposition any position he desires to take. Cinq-Mars under growing pressure to act, orders France’s armies to attack Henry at the earliest opportunity, regardless of whether the army is ready or not.
A peasant revolt breaks out in Brittany as the indigenous Bretons and the Irish immigrants lash out at the deliberate conscription of their people as opposed to the French.

In the HRE Wallenstein and Tilly continue on in winter quarters, believing that the real fight will be between them over who becomes the Emperor of the HRE.
In Austria a revolt begins in the Tyrol near Trient over the imposition of new taxes.

In Spain the campaigning season is underway early as Don Francisco de Melo catches Philip of Spain unaware and marches south to take Burgos almost unopposed. He then swings south to besiege Valladolid.

[Jammy]

France is breaking up into Civil War then

[Quiet_Man]

Originally Posted by Jammy

France is breaking up into Civil War then

yes, France has been constantly at war for 10 years now, first with the Spanish, then with the British and Dutch. The lower classes have simply had enough, especially as recently France keeps losing and conscripting more armies.

[Dathi THorfinnsson]

Originally Posted by Quiet_Man

The British just use the expertise of the Haudenosaunee to teach the colonists what they can and can't eat, help clear land etc. The British have also supported the Haudenosaunee in their wars against the Huron, Attawandaron, Tionontati and Eriez tribes and have pushed the tribes boundaries (on paper) well into Algonquin territory.
The tribes number somewhere in the region of 25,000, (many through adoption) they don't transport the food, they act as scouts and guides. In return the British stay out of settling their territory. This is easy enough for the British as there has been no French interference (too early) in supporting hostile tribes against the Haudenosaunee, so there is a treaty similar to the sacred covenant.
Overall the British are impressed with their native neighbours and many admire the legal/political system the Haudenosaunee have with its checks and balances. Henry himself has met 4 of the 5 tribal leaders when they came to London to sign a treaty of friendship.

Ah! OK, that's believable. The expansion of territory had not been, I believe, explicitly mentioned. Also, if the Brits are providing new agricultural techniques (such as plows and draft animals, e.g.), that might lead to a population expansion. (partly, as you say, by adoption.)

As for numbers, I keep forgetting how early this timeline is. I keep thinking of the imbalance between whites and Haudenosaunee as 2+ million vs 2+ myriad, as it was OTL between French & Indian and Revolutionary wars.

[pompejus]

Originally Posted by Quiet_Man

yes, France has been constantly at war for 10 years now, first with the Spanish, then with the British and Dutch. The lower classes have simply had enough, especially as recently France keeps losing and conscripting more armies.

Civil war? In the middle of a regular war? That is bad for France

[DAv]

A civil war in France could almost certainly mean the end of a centralised state for the forseeable future. I think that we might see British claims and client states on the north, a Kingdom under Louis XIV in the centre and west and a Scottish Pyrenees state in the south (I'm still getting images of Groundskeeper Willie whenever that gets mentione).

[Quiet_Man]

Originally Posted by Dathi THorfinnsson

Ah! OK, that's believable. The expansion of territory had not been, I believe, explicitly mentioned. Also, if the Brits are providing new agricultural techniques (such as plows and draft animals, e.g.), that might lead to a population expansion. (partly, as you say, by adoption.)

As for numbers, I keep forgetting how early this timeline is. I keep thinking of the imbalance between whites and Haudenosaunee as 2+ million vs 2+ myriad, as it was OTL between French & Indian and Revolutionary wars.

Current population of British (and a few others) is about 150,000. And although I do a bit of research unfortunately not all of it makes it into the timeline, I'll do a specific piece on the state of play in North America soon.

[Quiet_Man]

(1644) March. Despite wet weather making the roads treacherous Henry starts his campaign by moving on a French army commanded by the Duc d’Orleans north of Saint-Quentin. On the first day, caught unprepared by the British advance, the French line collapses and despite a mercenary army moving to reinforce d’Orleans the British tactics tear his army and that of the mercenaries apart. Henry’s use of forward artillery to support his lines was something the French had no answer too. British casualties were light at 1500 as the French had problems with damp powder. French losses were 13,000 French and 5,000 mercenaries. The second day of the battle saw d’Orleans throw in the full weight of his army plus that of his mercenary brigades against the British lines. At first the French appeared to be carrying the day as the British musketeers gave way in the centre drawing the French army in after them. This was a feigned retreat with British cavalry keeping the French from outflanking the wings of the army, the trap closed as units that the French were unaware of reinforced the centre and wings and manoeuvred to encircle the French army. Sweeping around to cut off any retreat the British cavalry under Colonel Leslie seized the high ground and the French guns to put the French in a desperate situation. The sheer speed (relatively) and precision of the British formations soon began to make itself felt along with the weight of fire it could produce. Desperate to salvage something d’Orleans lead a massed cavalry charge at two musketeer regiments blocking the weakest point for a retreat only to have them practically destroy the French cavalry by resisting 3 charges following up the last one with an advance with bayonet’s drawn.
At the end of the day, d’Orleans surrendered, badly wounded and with most of his officers dead or incapacitated it was the worst defeat in French history since Agincourt. It was estimated that the combined French losses were over 40,000, with British losses just under 10,000. After dealing with his casualties and the French prisoners Henry marched west to Amiens, which capitulated without a fight.
Montrose took his army and headed west along the coast in conjunction with the British navy, seizing all French ports along the channel. There is little to stop him most fortifications in the towns are of 14th century vintage and unsuited to modern defence. By the end of the month Britain controlled the channel as far as Dieppe. Despite some unrest from the French townsfolk there was little or no actual trouble. The British gave terms dependant on good behaviour from various civic leaders, breach of those terms was made clear, the town would be ransacked with the property and lives of the remaining citizens forfeit to the British crown. If they behaved though, then they were under British protection.
Massachusetts establishes a 2-chamber legislature for the colony, the upper chamber to be under the control of the new nobility, the other directly elected. Other colonies plan similar elected bodies.

The Dutch taking a leaf out of the British book also start their campaign early driving themselves hard to capture Reims. Meeting the French army under Cadet la Perle at Rethel. The battle was a triumph for the Dutch as their forces drove the French from the field and into headlong retreat to Reims. Casualties were 9,000 Dutch to 27,000 French. Cadet la Perle himself surrendering to the Prince of Orange rather than go back to face Cinq-Mars. Two days after the battle the Dutch lay siege to Reims.

At Osnabruck, the Danes were finishing their final preparations, Christian 5th has spared no expense nor wasted any time in preparing the army to drive Wallenstein from the field and restore Denmark’s pride in her army. All Christian needed was the right place to fight and hopefully Wallenstein would oblige him.

Gustav was back with his army in Potsdam, he too was preparing to advance into Saxony and restore it to its original nobility. The second Swedish army under General Horn was also under march to join him.

In Paris there was again anger and dismay at the inability of the French armies to deal with the British and Dutch. Cinq-Mars moves the court to the Royal Château of Fontainebleau to protect the King, in reality to keep Louis out of the reach of those opposed to Cinq-Mars. Many nobles are now in communication with the Kings mother Anne in Savoy looking for an opportunity to remove Cinq-Mars and restore Anne as regent, then seek terms with Britain and Holland. The revolt in Brittany spreads to other regions as years of neglect, incompetence, corruption and greed finally take their toll on the absent nobility of France. Lead by An Calbhach mac Aodha O Conchobhair Donn the last King of Connaught now self styled King of the Bretons, much of northwest France is in anarchy.

In the HRE Tilly and Wallenstein remain at their winter quarters, both increase the size of their armies and prepare for the struggle ahead. Both believe they can win and go on to higher things. The Emperor tries and fails to end the revolt in Trient, the rebels now are aided by Venetian forces.

In Spain forces loyal to King Philip march north to intercept the rebels driving them away from Valladolid back to Burgos. Other forces march into Catalonia to force the rebel independents there back into the loyalist camp.

Papal forces suffer a crucial defeat in the Battle of Lagoscuro resulting in the surrender of the Papal forces; a peace was agreed to in Ferrara. Under the terms of the peace, Odoardo Farnese, Duke of Parma and Piacenza was readmitted to the Catholic Church and his fiefdoms were restored to him. Grain shipments from Castro to Rome were once again allowed, and Odoardo was to resume payments to his Roman creditors. This peace settlement concluded the war and was widely considered a disgrace to the papacy, which was unable to impose its will through use of military force.

In the Ottoman Empire, the Sultan, “Ibrahim the Mad”, seeing the disarray in the lands to his northwest ponders intervention.

In Japan, high level diplomacy between the representatives of Britain and the Shogunate produces a set of accords which grant the British a status of favoured trading nation. The British agree to supply Japan with needed raw materials in return for finished goods. They also agree to abide to the conditions of not allowing any Japanese to leave the islands.