Christina Regina: A Timeline

I predict that while Cristina will keep Finland and the rest of the Swedish empire that she will loose Sweden proper.

Quiet reasonable prediction. Swedish proper was already early 17th century strongly Lutheran but rest of Swedish empire might not be yet when they are quiet remote areas and at least Finland was lowly populated and probably there was still much of Catholics/not very devout Lutherans in remote areas.
 
1660: News Update in Europe

Austrians Continue to Liberate Poland, Reach Kiev by End of Year

300px-Jan_Chryzostom_Pasek_pod_Lachowiczami.JPG


In the face of little Russian resistance, the Austrian army continued to move across Poland fairly easily. John II Casimir, who was rescued by the Austrians after they took Warsaw, also rode alongside the army. They managed to reach the gates of Kiev by the end of the year, where Emperor Leopold was greeted as a liberator. There are a few Poles, though, including General Sobieski, who suspect that Leopold's true motives may not be to liberate Poland, but rather to replace Russian oppression in Poland with Austrian oppression. Some fear that he may try to force Poland to join the Holy Roman Empire or come under the Habsburg sphere of influence. For most Poles, though, he is simply a benevolent hero and liberator. Meanwhile, it is unclear how Russia will pursue the rest of the war. With their armies in the North and South both having been destroyed, they may have to initiate a massive new program of conscription and recruitment, hire a large amount of mercenaries, or perhaps even sue for peace.

Charles X Gustav dies of Natural Causes! Charles XI Crowned in Stockholm

220px-S%C3%A9bastien_Bourdons-Karl_X_Gustav.jpg


In early 1660, Charles X Gustav, considered the rightful King of Sweden by many of his countrymen, would pass away. This came as a shock to the rebels and their Danish allies, as the leader who was considered instrumental to the cause of the rebellion was now dead. Charles XI, the former King's 5 year old son, was crowned in a quick coronation ceremony in Tre Konor. It was decided that Hedwig Eleonora of Holstein-Gottorp, the boy's mother, would serve as regent. Many rebels fear that their cause will be undermined by the perception that it is now led by a woman and a young boy, rather than the majestic and militarily accomplished man that was Charles Gustav. Meanwhile, in the face of little Russian resistance, Christina's Swedish army was able to recapture the Baltics, while further north the Danish and rebel army moved into northern Finland, capturing Lapland.

Richard Cromwell makes His Mark on Domestic and Foreign Policy, while the Huguenot Party Grows in France

16th-century-christmas.jpg


In 1660 Richard Cromwell would do much in both domestic and foreign policy, but for most Englishmen the most important thing he did was bring back Christmas. Cromwell announced that he was abandoning the Puritan ban on Christmas in a public address to the nation from London, stating "our traditions and customs as Englishmen are important for the preservation of this Commonwealth." Joy ran through England, as the people were once again allowed to celebrate their favorite holiday. Cromwell also announced the rescindment of the capital punishment for adultery, and made clear that in a few years, once the Commonwealth had established itself on safer footing, there would be a transition back to a Parliamentary system rather than the lone rule of the Lord Protector. In foreign policy, Cromwell would send a large English army to Portugal to assist them in their struggle against the Spanish. The English army, as well as a Portuguese one, attempted to relieve Elvas at the Battle of the Lines of Elvas, and it proved a decisive victory. The Spanish were routed and proceeded to flee back across the Spanish border. In France meanwhile, during 1660 the size of the Huguenot community would grow greatly, as many Catholics, disappointed at the continuance of the Papal Schism and the discredit it continues to bring upon the Church, would convert to the Calvinist faith. It remains to be seen how Louis XIV, a pious and deeply religious Catholic who views the Huguenots as a rebellious minority, will react to these new developments.
 
Last edited:
Christina was supposed to be something of a genius if I remember correctly. Maybe she can pull out a stunning victory despite having no navy. For a moment I thought she was done for right before she and her general friend managed to beat a Russian army.
 
1661: News Update in Europe

Peace of Vienna Signed! Russia Leaves War in Exchange for Swedish Ingria, While Austria Makes Gains in Poland

Treaty_of_Roskilde_-_peace_banquet.jpg


In 1661, representatives of Russia, Poland-Lithuania, Austria, and Christina's Swedish government would meet in Vienna to discuss peace. After long hours of deliberation and argument, the Treaty of Vienna was finally agreed to by all the parties. Christina's Swedish government agreed to cede Swedish Ingria to Russia, while Austria made gains in Poland. In exchange for helping the Poles drive back the Russians, the Austrians demanded that they take some Polish land, so the Poles begrudgingly agreed to cede Galicia. This confirmed the suspicions of many Poles such as John Sobieski.

Battle of Lapland Results in Bloody Stalemate, with Both Sides now War-Weary

300px-Stormningen_av_K%C3%B6penhamn_11_feb._1659.jpg


While Christina and her allies managed to come to terms with the Russians, she remained at war with the Danes and Swedish rebels. The Danish troops, moving very slowly due to record freezing temperatures of the Little Ice Age and interrupted supply lines, were just about to leave Lapland and enter Northern Ostrobothnia when they were attacked by a Swedish army of about the same size. The battle was long and bloody, stretching hours on end before the Swedish army finally left the field. The Danes claimed victory, but it came at a heavy cost for both sides and the victory was Pyrrhic at best. Over 10,000 troops were killed on each side, shocking the people of Stockholm and Helsinki. Cries for peace and a general sense of war-weariness now permeate both cities, and many are now urging the warring parties to come to terms.

Charles Stuart Lands in Ireland, Declared Charles II by Irishmen! Meanwhile, Richard Cromwell Declares Parliamentary Elections for Next Year

330px-Charles_II_%28de_Champaigne%29.jpg


With England and Spain still at war, the Spanish saw a way to take the fight to the British Isles. Charles Stuart, the son of the former King who was executed by Parliament in 1649, had been living for some years now in Spain as an exile. The Spanish saw their opportunity at once, and decided to take it. Charles and a Spanish army were loaded onto an array of ships and were then sent to Ireland. Once there, Charles arrived in Dublin and proclaimed himself King of Ireland to a throng of cheering Irishmen. The Irish needed little convincing to support Charles, as Richard Cromwell's father had committed brutal massacres on the island during the Civil Wars. But just to reassure any Irishmen who might have had doubts, he also proclaimed an Edict of Religious Toleration for Catholics. When the news from Ireland reached England panic ensued, and a series of anti-Papist riots occurred in London as many made comparisons to the Irish Rebellion 20 years before. At the same time, a group of Spanish agents entered into the Scottish Highlands and convinced some of the clans there to rise up. Several clans took them up on their offer, declared their loyalty to Charles, and began to raid the Lowlands. But before any of the drama involving Charles, Richard Cromwell had announced that Parliamentary elections were to take place next year, with only the landed gentry being able to vote. It remains to be seen how Charles's attempted usurpation will affect the elections.
 
1662: News Update in Europe

Council of Munich Fails to Resolve Schism, while Huguenot Uprising Occurs in France

concilio-de-trento-bautismo.jpg


In 1662, the Catholic countries of Europe would finally try to heal the schism that had developed within the Church. Things got off to a rough start from the very beginning, though. On deciding where the Council should be held, the French demanded that it be in France due to that being the location of the true Papacy. The Habsburgs and other states loyal to the Roman Pope, as expected, argued that the Council belonged in Italy. It was finally decided that it would be held in Munich as a compromise of sorts, but only after much time was wasted on useless bickering. When the council actually went into session, things didn't go much better. A compromise Pope was suggested, but he was rejected by both sides. After days of fruitless offers and counteroffers, the Council finally closed having accomplished nothing. Meanwhile, in France the Huguenots of La Rochelle would use the distraction that the Council caused to rise up in rebellion. La Rochelle, still a bastion of French Protestantism, was declared a free city. The lapsing enforcement of the Edict of Nantes and the increase of religious persecution was used as a pretext. It remains to be seen how Louis XIV will react to this uprising.

Peace Between Sweden and Denmark Results in Independent Kingdom of Finland!

266px-Allegory_of_the_Peace_of_Oliwa_in_1660.PNG


After the Battle of Lapland, both sides were more than ready for peace. Representatives for Denmark, the Stockholm based government, and the Helsinki based government met in Stockholm to discuss peace. After a bit of wrangling and arguing over details, a treaty was finally agreed to. In the Peace of Stockholm, it was agreed that an independent Kingdom of Finland was to be established, ruled by Queen Christina from the capital at Helsinki. The new Finnish government ceded Swedish Livonia to the Swedish government, ruled by the young Charles XI. In return for helping Charles gain his Kingdom, the Swedes agreed to cede the provinces of Härjedalen, Halland, and Jämtland to Denmark. The peace was met with jubilation in both Stockholm, where Sweden would finally have a Lutheran King secured on the throne, and in Helsinki, where Finns joyously celebrated their newfound independence, even if they were to be ruled by a Swede.

Fourth English Civil War Breaks Out!
Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, Kingdom of Portugal, Dutch Republic VS. Kingdom of Ireland, English and Scottish Royalists, Kingdom of Spain



300px-BattleOfBoyne.png


After the elections of 1662, the first Parliament was called. The primary issue to be dealt with was the Irish Rebellion. But soon, two distinct groups emerged in the Commons. One, called the Tories, were mostly High Anglicans, Royalists, Monarchists, and former Cavaliers. The other, called the Whigs, were mostly Puritans, Presbyterians, members of various other Protestant sects, and former Roundheads. When it was realized that over half of the Parliament was composed of Tories, Richard Cromwell knew that something had to be done. He could not run his country with a Parliament that held a majority of open traitors who wanted the Lord Protector gone and replaced with Charles. Cromwell arrived to Parliament, intent on arresting some of the Tory leaders for treason, but when he arrived he learned that they had fled all the way to York and had raised an Army, led by Prince Rupert, who had just returned from exile to fight for his King. Everyone in England knew what had just begun: a Fourth Civil War. An army was quickly raised in London for Parliament, and Thomas Fairfax himself came out of retirement to lead it. The Dutch, afraid of a hostile Spain to the south in Flanders and a hostile England to the north if Charles II, widely viewed as a client of the Spanish Habsburgs, won the war, declared war on Spain and launched an invasion of the Spanish Netherlands. With the Portuguese still at war with Spain, the Dutch quickly concluded a peace treaty with them in order to end the Dutch-Portuguese War and become allies against Spain instead. France, while still an enemy of the Habsburgs, declared neutrality as they were bound by treaty and still bore resentment against Richard Cromwell.
 
Interesting developments! I like the easy free-flowing style.
I'm a bit unsure though, as to how plausible it is for the Danish army to simply march into Sweden ten years after the Torstensson War. Especially when you consider its dismal performance in OTL vis a vis the Swedes during Charles X Gustav's First Danish War.
 
Last edited:
What? Christina is not an absolute monarch. She does not have the power to declare Sweden catholic. She has at her coronation given a konungaförsäkran (a coronation oath) in which she has sworn to uphold the sanctity of the Swedish lutheran church as enshrined by the Uppsala meeting in 1593.

If she breaks her coronation oath, the crown council will declare her unfit to rule and invite Karl Gustav to take the throne, which he immediately would. He already controls the army, so there's nothing stopping him. She would have no support whatsoever in such a move, and while she might be able to flee to Poland-Lithuania, she cannot contest Karl Gustav, who will call an estates parliament session which will confirm his ascension to the throne.

Kristina knew that she could not be catholic and Queen of Sweden at the same time, which is why she abdicated first and converted afterwards OTL.
 
1663: News Update in Europe

Huguenot Uprising Smashed! La Rochelle Surrenders After Long Siege

cms_pcf_453736.bro


Louis XIV would see just as much success in crushing the Huguenots of La Rochelle as his father did 35 years before. The King, infuriated upon hearing of the uprising, ordered Marshal Turenne himself to lead a massive army to La Rochelle to quell the rebels. They at once laid siege to the city after arrival, and supplies quickly ran out in La Rochelle. The panicked Huguenots were able to send pleas for help to both the English and the Dutch, but they went unanswered. Starvation and disease spread within the city and thousands died, but the desperate Protestants still refused to surrender. At the last minute, the Huguenots, not wanting to be victim to a sack or pillage, finally agreed to hand over the city to the French on a promise of amnesty for the rebel leaders. This promise, however, was quickly reneged upon, as the rebel leaders were shot publicly in the town square and the Catholic soldiers were given free rein to desecrate the Protestant churches of the city.

Queen Christina Announces Heir to the Throne and Religious Plan

lossy-page1-330px-Portr%C3%A4tt._Gustav_Horn_-_Skoklosters_slott_-_87194.tif.jpg


One of the first orders of business for the new Queen of Finland was the annunciation of an heir. With her closest relatives now hostile in Sweden, Christina had a tough decision to make. Many Finns demanded that the heir be one of their own, and there were widespread fears of revolt if the heir was not a Finn. So it was when Christina proclaimed the heir: Gustav Evertsson Horn. There was overwhelming enthusiasm that the heir to the Finnish throne was to be a Finn, and a massive royal celebration in the Helsinki town square was open to all. Even so, there were some who doubted the choice. Horn, though a member of a noble house and the former Governor General of Finland, is still relatively unknown and is a decade older than the Queen. There have also been accusations of favoritism, as Horn is a relative of Gustav Horn, who was Christina's leading general in the war now known as the War of Finnish Independence. At least as important was Christina's announcement regarding the Church of Finland. She, as Queen, is head of the Church, so the Church in theory is Catholic. However, to satisfy the overwhelmingly Lutheran population, all bishops that have been appointed by Christina are Lutheran, and the rites of the Church are also Lutheran. Once Christina dies, since the new King will be a Lutheran, the Church will officially revert to Lutheranism and the bishops will most likely be abolished. The arrangement has been compared to the Anglican Church under Henry VIII, as the former is Protestant in all but name while the latter was Catholic in all but name.

Miracle on Ice! Spanish March North Halted by Frozen Dutch Rivers Whilst First Battle of the Civil War Occurs in England

450px-Winter_landscape_with_skaters%2C_by_Hendrick_Avercamp.jpg


The first year of the English Civil War would see campaigns in both Britain and on the Continent. The year began with a Dutch invasion of the Spanish Netherlands. However, this invasion was thwarted by the Spaniards, who forced the Dutch back and went on the offensive. The Spaniards moved north and laid siege to 's-Hertogenbosch, capturing it within a few months. The Dutch looked to be in an awful position and the Spanish advance north, which would threaten the very heart of Holland, seemed unstoppable. However, nature intervened. Just as all hope seemed lost, the Waal and Meuse rivers froze over. The Spaniards, with their horses, heavy armor, and baggage trains, were unable to cross over the thin ice of the Meuse. They had brought small boats in the trains for crossing the rivers, but these were now rendered useless. The Dutch, on the other side of the rivers north of the Waal, had been saved. In celebration, Dutch civilians set up a frost fair on the more thickly solid ice of the Waal. Thousands of Dutch civilians turned up, nimbly skating across the ice and selling their wares. While the citizens celebrated, the Dutch government focused on using the delay to greatly improve their defenses. The border forts were improved and new fortifications were built, making the country far more defensible even after the ice melts. Meanwhile, the first battle of the Civil War in England also occurred. English Parliamentarian and Royalist forces met inconclusively at Derby, where thousands were killed and both sides claimed victory. It is clear that this civil war will be just as hard-fought and bloody as the three previous ones.
 
Last edited:
It's been a while. Sorry for the long wait, but I got busy and kind of forgot about this. Without further ado:

1664: News Update in Europe

Dutch and Portuguese launch joint colonial venture against Spain; capture Rio de la Plata

images


On the continental front of Western Europe, 1664 would prove to be a stalemate. The Dutch and Spanish entrenched themselves on their respective sides of the rivers, tensely watching and waiting for the other side to act. In South America, meanwhile, things would prove much different. The Dutch and Portuguese, working in tandem, launched a joint expedition into Rio de la Plata from each of their Brazilian colonies. Receiving help from natives resentful against the Spanish, they seized practically the whole region, making the Viceroyalty of Peru much more vulnerable.

English Parliamentarians win major battle, Prince Rupert of the Rhine killed!
images


After the end of the bloody Battle of Derby, the Royalists retreated to their headquarters in Nottingham and the Parliamentarians to Leicester. Prince Rupert's forces outnumbered those of the Roundheads, and he was itching for another fight. Overconfident, he marched his troops toward Leicester, and the Parliamentarian army came out to meet him. In the ensuing battle, the Cavaliers appeared to have the advantage early on. All this would change, however, when Rupert was struck in the chest by a bullet, instantly killing him. When word went around the Royalist camp that their leader had been killed, panic ensued. In a hectic retreat, they were chased all the way back to Nottingham before surrendering both their lives and the city. On the death of Rupert, Fairfax was heard to say, "Today died a man who did honor to mankind." The Parliamentarians would then sweep up into the North of England, practically assuming total control over the whole country. Meanwhile, in Scotland several Highland clans banded together to lay siege to Edinburgh, but the city thus far has managed to hold out.

In major surprise, Charles II announces conversion to Catholicism!

images


Shortly after hearing of the Royalist defeat in England, Charles Stuart shocked the world by announcing his conversion to Catholicism. Many believe that he has given up on winning in Britain, and now simply wishes to consolidate his support in Ireland. Others say that the Spanish forced him to convert or else threatened to end their support. Whatever the reason, the Irish people couldn't be happier. Charles has also secretly told some of his advisers that he is planning on a pilgrimage to Rome.

 
Last edited:
Top