I do know this.
There just happens to be a lot more Great Northern War art than there is 30 Years War art. People like pictures..
Didn't see the Bayonets I will take them out.
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Mars, Athena and Ottoman inclusion at Westphalia (POD 1643)
- Thread starter Wesley_Lewt
- Start date
There just happens to be a lot more Great Northern War art than there is 30 Years War art. People like pictures..
Didn't see the Bayonets I will take them out.
You know you are completely right. With a bit more time and effort I can do better. Thanks for the input
And a monogram of Charles XII on the saddles is one more give away. 🥲
Shoutout for resource recommendations and minor spoiler:
If people want to hear more from Brage and would like to see his career continue Sharpe style I would appreciate a resource recommendation on how rank below Colonel worked in the Swedish military during this period. I do know that this would be a lot more realistic than Sharpe and that it was something that actually happened for an enlisted man to be repeatedly promoted (this didn't happen in the late 18th / early 19th century British army - you might get promoted once, then you would be paired with an officer who was a gentleman and he would take credit for all your successes from that point on).
If people want to hear more from Brage and would like to see his career continue Sharpe style I would appreciate a resource recommendation on how rank below Colonel worked in the Swedish military during this period. I do know that this would be a lot more realistic than Sharpe and that it was something that actually happened for an enlisted man to be repeatedly promoted (this didn't happen in the late 18th / early 19th century British army - you might get promoted once, then you would be paired with an officer who was a gentleman and he would take credit for all your successes from that point on).
Charles Gustav wants to marry Christina.
As part of his strategy to woo her he is going to stick his beak into The War of The Three Kingdoms with the aim of creating a mess only Oxenstierna can sort out as a way of getting rid of him. In order to gain autonomy for Christina.
I would appreciate sources on Swedish, Danish, French and Dutch relations with the various factions in The War of The Three Kingdoms.
So far I have this:
An Unofficial Alliance, Scotland and Sweden 1569-1654, by Alexia Grosjean
Which says:
"During the ensuing transition period of increasing royal control, both the nobility and Oxenstierna gradually lost the reins of power. This understandably had a detrimental impact on official relations with Scotland, as the ruling nobility had effected most of the personal contacts with the Scots. In particular it was Oxenstierna’s friendships with leading Scottish Covenanters that were largely responsible for Swedish support obtained during the Bishops’ Wars."
As part of his strategy to woo her he is going to stick his beak into The War of The Three Kingdoms with the aim of creating a mess only Oxenstierna can sort out as a way of getting rid of him. In order to gain autonomy for Christina.
I would appreciate sources on Swedish, Danish, French and Dutch relations with the various factions in The War of The Three Kingdoms.
So far I have this:
An Unofficial Alliance, Scotland and Sweden 1569-1654, by Alexia Grosjean
Which says:
"During the ensuing transition period of increasing royal control, both the nobility and Oxenstierna gradually lost the reins of power. This understandably had a detrimental impact on official relations with Scotland, as the ruling nobility had effected most of the personal contacts with the Scots. In particular it was Oxenstierna’s friendships with leading Scottish Covenanters that were largely responsible for Swedish support obtained during the Bishops’ Wars."
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1644, 'Torstensson' War, Siege of Copenhagen, Charles Gustav, Coronation, 'Peace'
Part 3: Battlefield Promotion
Act 2
Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott,
ein gute Wehr und Waffen.
Er hilft uns frei aus aller Not,
die uns jetzt hat betroffen.
Der alt böse Feind
mit Ernst er's jetzt meint,
groß Macht und viel List
sein grausam Rüstung ist,
auf Erd ist nicht seins gleichen
Mit unsrer Macht ist nichts getan
A mighty Fortress is our God
A powerful Defense and Weapon,
He lifts us free from all Terror,
which has now struck us
The old evil Enemy
now he seriously means it
great Power and many Strategies
Are his cruel Armour
on Earth he has no equal
With our own power nothing gets done
- Opening lines of the most popular Hymn composed by Martin Luther*
Christ commands when he says 'render unto Caesar the things that are Caesars'
- Also Martin Luther
^ Painting commissioned by OTL Charles X Gustav depicting him as a Roman conqueror.Act 2
Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott,
ein gute Wehr und Waffen.
Er hilft uns frei aus aller Not,
die uns jetzt hat betroffen.
Der alt böse Feind
mit Ernst er's jetzt meint,
groß Macht und viel List
sein grausam Rüstung ist,
auf Erd ist nicht seins gleichen
Mit unsrer Macht ist nichts getan
A mighty Fortress is our God
A powerful Defense and Weapon,
He lifts us free from all Terror,
which has now struck us
The old evil Enemy
now he seriously means it
great Power and many Strategies
Are his cruel Armour
on Earth he has no equal
With our own power nothing gets done
- Opening lines of the most popular Hymn composed by Martin Luther*
Christ commands when he says 'render unto Caesar the things that are Caesars'
- Also Martin Luther
29 January 1644, Odense, Royal Residence requisitioned by Charles as his command post
“My Lord, almost all the surviving prisoners are still blind.”
General Charles Gustav smiled.
In the evenings, for solace and inspiration Charles had taken to reading Torstensson's personal writings. In the day he had a team of clerks furiously copying them. All he knew of war he owed to Torstensson.**
The old mans writings mostly concerned his beloved artillery and his speculations on their future development. One idea, not exactly novel, had struck Charles. A design for a mortar shell – metal ball filled with a mixture 4 parts quicklime 1 part gunpowder. Fuse connected to a core of pure gunpowder. Fair weather weapon that would have mens eyes out.**
So Charles had tasked this young artillery officer – who uncannily reminded him of the old man - with testing it. It had been simple to convert 18 existing mortar shells. 3 groups of Danish prisoners who had refused to enlist in the army which had honourably captured their standards had been tied in place and bombarded with 6 shells. That was 3 days ago. They worked.
“Officer Göte Segerstrom, you have just won a promotion and my personal favour. I expect Field-Marshal Tostensson will be very happy with you for making his idea work."
"I want as many of these shells as possible prepared before we reach Copenhagen. I also want as many mortars improvised as possible. I do not care if they fire only 3 times, or only once. Unreliability is acceptable. Misfires which kill the crew are acceptable. As many as possible, for a short bombardment which is to be as intensive as possible."
"I will speak with the Field-Marshal and I have no doubt he will instruct the chief of artillery to collaborate with you on this and make it the main focus of all our artillery men. You will have whatever resources you request and may have anything or anyone you wish requisitioned from our forces, the settlements we control and move through and the Navy."
"I predict a bright future for you Göte Segerstrom. You know of course to kill the prisoners now they have served their purpose. Dismissed”
As the young officer left, Charles had his secretary draft three orders in Torstenssons name, then summoned the Chief of Artillery and the Navy representative.
29 January 1644, a few hours later, Odense, Royal Residence requisitioned by Charles as his command post
“Field-Marshal Torstensson is indisposed at present so you are speaking to me. Here are your written orders.”
“You will have everything you ask for” Charles told the Chief of Artillery “However there is one thing I must take from you. A cadre of experienced Artillery men and Officers sufficient to train a large artillery force.”
Charles turned to the Navy Man.
“Shipping all our forces across the Great Belt will take two trips, yes? We land at Kalundborg.”
“Two trips.” The Navy Man assured Charles.
“Good. we want every ship you have gathered which is not a combat vessel but could be expected to sail to Ulster identified. Most of the Danish prisoners have sworn us an oath of loyalty with the condition that they will never fight their countrymen. So we are sending them to fight the Irish Papists in Scottish Covenanter service. Landing at Carrickfergus.”
“They will of course be shipped separately to their weapons, and a small Naval escort, capable of sinking the civilian ships, should the Danes get any funny idea's will be required. The expert Artillery Cadre and several other Cadres Wragnel will provide will sail with the small arms. Wragnel has been instructed to gather the Artillery, most of it captured, which we left in Jutland due to our rapid advance as well as anything else he can spare in the ports of east Jutland. This you are to also ship to Carrickfergus.”
“I have had two copies of Torstensson's private writings on Artillery prepared. One is for you.” Charles gestured to his Chief of Artillery. “The other is for the Senior military man among the Scottish Covenanters in Ulster, whomever he may be.”
“The Navy does not answer to me or Field-Marshal Torstensson. However, it is our preference that once the Army is landed on Zealand the Navy makes its presence known, strikes if their fleet is divided and numerical advantage is overwhelming but does not seek decisive battle unless their fleet flees for Norway in which case we desire decisive battle. Odense is a fine base, but if you get the chance in the coming weeks a position just north of Isefjord would be ideal. As soon as Copenhagen falls we would like to land a significant number of troops west of the Norwegian capital.”
Charles could not tell if the Navy man looked terrified or awed.
“I would love to discuss matters in detail with you fine men, however I have a pressing engagement with the Odense Burghers. Politics.” He sighed and chuckled without mirth. “Unless you have necessary questions, dismissed.”
The two men saluted and left. Charles suddenly felt very tired. Wragnel wasn't going to like his orders. They would disrupt his entire campaign and he was to lose over a thousand men and some of his best officers. Charles was only leaving a tiny force on Funen – reinforcements would be required to hold it. Still so long as Wragnel believed the orders came from Torstensson and all was to assist the assault on Copenhagen he would obey.
Charles gestured to his manservant, the gesture ugly, but not unkind. He wearily spoke as much to himself as to the servant.
“Please make me presentable, I must make a good impression on these Burghers. I need from them a list of traditional privileges Danish Burghers have lost to The Crown. They must be honest with me as I intend to include these in my terms to Copenhagen.”
09 February 1644, Copenhagen Castle, Private Chamber
A knock on the door. Hard and insistent.
Prince-Elect Christian groaned, pawing his two mistresses for reassurance. His nerves had snapped days ago. He rose and grabbed his manservant by the collar.
“Go and tell whoever it is to see the Garrison commander. Those have been my clear orders, he acts in my name. If the impertinent wretch does not leave immediately he is to be whipped.”
“Your Majesty, it is the Garrison commander.”
Christian gestured for his mistresses to conceal themselves, made himself decent, took a long draught from a bottle of wine, and gestured for the door to be opened.
“You have been ordered not to disturb me and given authority to act in my name. What impertinence is this?”
“Your Majesty the Swedes have landed in force at Kalundborg and are advancing in force.”
Christian twitched and shuddered.
“General, you have my full confidence I defer to your expertise in military matters. You have authority to act in my name. Act as you see fit and obey my orders that I not be disturbed.”
“Your Majesty, we have not seen you in days. Your inspirational presence...”
“GET OUT!”
Christian roared hurling an empty wine bottle at the General who ducked smoothly. The General saluted and left with reluctance.
“Lock the door and come here Boy.”
Christian snarled at his manservant. As the man dutifully approached Christian raised his walking cane.
11 February 1643, Roskilde Palace, Zealand
“You will escort your old Kings body to Copenhagen.”
Admiral Jorgen Vind heard Charles Gustav say casually over one of their regular dinners. He had been expecting something, but never such a show of trust. He was somewhat stunned.
“I have enjoyed our dinners and our conversations. I do hope they continue.”
“I admire you Admiral Vind. Your loyalty to your king did you much credit. However, he lies dead and your oath to him no longer stands. You love for your country still stands. I admire that also.”
“The rivalry and conflict between our two great Nations has served neither. It has been exploited by foreign powers to make both Denmark and Sweden weak.”
“You have listened politely to my dream of restoring the Kalmar Union and I have sensed you thought it the impractical dream of a naive youth. Yet here we are, your King is dead and my army is on Zealand preparing to march on Copenhagen. Consider what news of the Kings death will do to morale. The city will fall, Christina and I will be made co-monarchs and we will marry.”
“I am not Oxenstierna. I am not a cautious man. I will take the city even at the cost of half my men. Do you know what I want from you?”
Admiral Vind understood and answered immediately “If the city falls as you expect you want me to prevent the fleet from retreating to Norway.”
“Very good. With Copenhagen fallen a continued war can only bring devastation to Denmark, the only possible outcome is a weaker position for Denmark in the eventual relationship between our two Nations. If our fleets destroy oneanother, who wins? The Dutch, The French, The Spanish.”
“I have spoken to you of what they could achieve together. How I intend to make our Nations interests harmonious. How my plans, with your help, can bring riches to Denmark which she could never achieve locked in rivalry with Sweden. I am not a fool like my Stuart namesake and know I must act in Denmarks interest to hold the crowns together. Failure to do so will make Denmark a desert and exhaust Sweden. I need men like you to tell me what Denmarks true interests are.”
“Do this for me and you will be one of my most trusted and honoured advisors. Here is a list of lands, titles and honours I will bestow on you and your descendants if you do this for me. You will see half of them are Danish Crown Lands and half lie in Sweden. These will require Christina's approval but I will persuade her or formally make this part of the peace treaty if you so desire. The former makes you look better, the latter is more secure.”
Admiral Vind was too stunned to reply. If the city fell. A big if. He did not know what he would do.
13 February 1644, Walls of Copenhagen, western bastion
It was so cold that even next to the sea, the air was dry as bone.
Morgens Osmundsen knelt in prayer with his comrades. Their Seargeant led them led them singing Luthers Hymn 'A mighty fortress is our God' over and over. The hymn was soothing. Morgens now felt no fear. He felt strong, peaceful and at one with the Lord. One of his younger comrades had quipped earlier that the enemy would be singing the same song. Morgens had slapped him hard for such blasphemy.
The enemy had formed up around the city carrying ladders. Attacking from all angles. The garrison had been rushed to the ramparts. And here they were, singing to raise their spirits and purify their souls should it be Gods Will they meet him today.
“Louder” Morgens seargeant roared as the first cannon fired. “The song of The Lord is louder than any gun”. Louder they sang.
Morgens Osmundsen could not say how long it took for the song to fall silent, drowned out by gunfire, as he still heard it. Morgens was dimly aware of his comrades rising. Morgens still knelt, eyes closed, the light of god filling his heart. His comrades would respect his prayers until he had to fight.
The world shook and Morgens became deaf to all but The Song Of The Lord. Fire gripped his mouth and nose. He pulled his hat over his face. He had fallen on his side.
After what seemed like an age, sound returned. Morgens couldn't make it out. He placed his fingers in his ears and let his mind sing 'A Mighty Fortress Is Our God' all the way through before taking them out.
His comrades were screaming. “My Eyes”, “My Eyes”, “Can't See”, “Mum?”
Morgens Osmundsen slowly peeled his hat away from his mouth. Fire. He waited before trying again. No fire. Slowly he removed his hat and opened his eyes. No fire.
Morgens looked around. His comrades were staggering aimlessly clutching their faces. So was the seargeant. Morgens took charge.
“I can still see. Praise the Lord the enemy have withdrawn. There is a procession approaching the gate under a white flag. Sit down if you can't see. Give me a moment and I will lead anyone who is wounded down to the city where you will be cared for. Comrades, if you still have voice, let us sing.”
13 February 1644, Copenhagen main street
Prince-Elect Christian had run to mount his horse as soon as he heard the news and ridden with his retinue for the main gate. It couldn't be true.
But it was true. He met the procession – and... and Admiral-Vind before he had even got half way to the main gate. His father lay dead before him. Carried by soldiers hands in solemn procession. Through all the drink and despair, his military training kicked in.
Why had this not been concealed. A crowd had gathered. The town criers were already ringing bells proclaiming the King dead and calling the Burghers to mourning and prayer. A common soldier like the gate commander would never challenge the rituals mourning a King, or Admiral Vind. Damn Admiral Vind. This was why the presence of Prince-Elect Christian had been required.
Prince-Elect Christian crushed his shame. What was done was done. He dismounted, paid his respects to his Father and began issuing orders for all that was proper as his duty required. He remounted, kept the tears from his eyes and took up a military bearing as he escorted his Fathers corpse to the castle where they had both been born.
13 February 1644, Copenhagen Castle, Council Chamber
“Admiral Vind, why did you not act to conceal my fathers death from the mob!”
Prince-Elect Christian was ranting and snarling. Admiral Vind held a salute the very picture of dignity.
“I swore your Father a solemn oath. My honour would not allow me to disrespect his memory with lies.”
Rage crawled all over Christian's face but he found no words.
“Your Majesty, I will remain here as long as you require however I wish to inspect my men for reasons of morale.”
Christian struggled to speak and sensed that the council approved of Admiral Vind's request. He snapped.
“Dismissed”
Christian turned wearily to the assembled Privy Council, military men and Burghers representatives. He needed a drink.
“What are our orders of business, let us proceed swiftly.”
“Your Majesty, the Swedish General Charles Gustav issues an ultimatum, either what they did in Malmö or surrender on terms that are exceedingly generous.”
Said the Burghers representative. The General in command of the garrison moved to stand supportively behind him.
“The prisoners released with Admiral Vind have leaked it to the mob.”
Spat one of the high-nobility. The General silenced him with a glare.
“Please continue good sir, the details of the terms. His Majesty wishes this discussed swiftly.”
“We have been given 3 days to mourn our beloved King before an answer is expected.”
Everyone made the sign of the cross.
“The garrison may march out with all the honours of war and either join the Swedes or march to Roskilde and take civilian ships to Norway. Any ships headed from Copenhagen to Norway will be engaged by the Swedish fleet. Those who ship to Norway are to receive a bounty worth a years wages. Those who join the Swedes, two years. Pay to be received as they leave the city.”
“No German will set foot in Copenhagen. A light contribution is to be paid. In the immediate term Copenhagen will be occupied by the Swedish National troops in the army facing us. There is to be no pillage or harm to civilians. Their behaviour will be subject to either the courts of the Copenhagen Burghers or their own Courts Martial whichever our courts prefer, decided on a case by case basis. The occupying force is to receive all its arrears of pay.”
“This is a temporary arrangement. The occupying force is to be replaced by the Swedish Life Guards regiment and two other Swedish regiments to be chosen by the Copenhagen Burghers. Subject to the same conditions.”
“The Copenhagen Burghers are to be confirmed in all their privileges. Further there is a list of privileges the Copenhagen Burghers once held which are to be restored. And every adult male in the city is to receive a bounty the total sum equivalent to the total of last years Sound Dues.”
Christian was pacing and clutching his head. One of the Upper Nobles cut in, a vipers hiss.
“I assume all this money is to come from our Royal Treasury? Who does this Charles think he is? Caesar? He thinks he is Caesar!”
“That is exactly who he thinks he is.” Christian agreed with sombre aggression.
The room fell into animated discussion. Just over an hour later a clerk entered. The terms under discussion were for the surrender of Copenhagen. Another set of terms had been sent. Encrypted, with cypher provided. The clerk had just finished decrypting them. They were terms for peace between Denmark and Sweden, intended for Christian alone. They were significantly less generous.
Christian read them and stuttered.
“I cannot accept this... my honour... I cannot... We fight.”
Christian read the room and broke down. Screaming. Weeping. Wailing. The General had prepared for this. He looked to the Burghers representatives who all nodded. At this he drew his sword, a signal for picked men to enter the room.
“What Treason is This? I am your King!”
“Not until the formalities have been observed. My men and I have sworn you no Oath. At present we owe more loyalty to the Burghers of this city than we do to you. Morale is devastated by your Fathers death. We cannot win this fight and will not permit what happened in Malmö to happen in fair Copenhagen.”
“I am sorry your Majesty, you are unfit for command. Take him.”
15 February 1644, Church of Our Lady, Copenhagen Cathedral
Just over half the Danish Nobility were in attendance, including the entire Rigsrådet. The Notable Burghers were all present as was every foreign representative in Copenhagen. Admiral Vind had ensured no one ran. The Bishop of Zealand presided. Swedish soldiers stood at attention along the walls.
Prince-Elect Christian seemed to be in a trance as he was Crowned King. He had been hurt in ways that left no marks.
Once the ritual was complete he signed endless copies of two documents which every member of the Rigsrådet, the Bishop and most of the Nobles also signed. Then he named Charles Gustav and Christina of Sweden to be co-monarchs as his chosen successors. They were duly confirmed as Princes-Elect.
There followed Christian's formal abdication, renunciation of many lands and titles and an Oath never to leave the island of Bornholm which he and his house were to rule under Swedish guard. That he would remain as Charles guest until practicalities were arranged and the Nobles of Bornholm duly compensated for their loss.
Charles Gustav was formally elected and acclaimed King Charles I of Denmark and a preliminary Coronation Ceremony was held with the understanding that there would be a more elaborate one as soon as Christina arrived.
Authors note: This concludes the detailed war story. Where this TL is going is Ottoman inclusion at Westphalia, which requires an Ottoman intervention which they considered in 1645. For this to happen, the Swedes need to be doing better at that point. I have had Charles Gustav take command and act... independently, because he would be much more ambitious and reckless in negotiations than Oxenstierna. From what I know of his Character and Policies it does seem like he basically wanted to be Julius Caesar. He was an awful man, but talented at war. I promise his luck will not last forever.
As for Christian Junior all my sources say he was a depressed alcoholic. In my opinion he was probably traumatised by his experience commanding defeats during the Danish intervention in the 30 Years War. I have taken the liberty of having him behave... like royalty. If people show enough interest in this TL I will try and find accurate names for the Danish Notables.
Question: Have I leant too heavily into the horrors of war stuff? I have done this to show that I don't think Kings, Lutherism or Swedish Imperialism were good things and because war actually is hell. Particularly this war.
* I decided to give the German original and my own translation as the English versions that rhyme are... bowlderised. I expect most with english as a first language and an interest in history are familiar with german terms incluting 'Wehr' and 'Waffen'
** If people have a strong opinion that this is anarchronistic I will take it out. I know that Torstensson wrote extensively while bedridden by illness. Most of it was speculations on future artillery developments (artillery was his obsession, pride and joy) which he never got to test because artillery struggled to keep up with his rapid movement. "All I know of war I owe to Torstensson" is a genuine quote from OTL Charles X Gustav.
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Of course.
I am not depicting him as a sociopath - merely as a ruthless, cunning and ambitious man from a different time where there was nothing like a Geneva Convention and as a man promoted beyond his years suddenly having big boots to fill and emulating his sociopathic mentor - minus the caution. He has just turned 22.
Now, I have three main sources I have been using, the first two of which which make Torstensson sound like a sociopath.
Michael Fredholm Von Essen
The Lion from the North: The Swedish Army during the Thirty Years War: Volume 2, 1632-1648
Peter H Wilson
Europe's Tragedy, A New History of the Thirty Years War
Geoffrey Parker
Global Crisis: War, Climate Change and Catastrophe in the Seventeenth Century
It is too early in the morning for me to go digging for exact quotes (7:30 am in the UK). However they both emphasise Torstensson's coldness and ruthlesness, the way that on assuming command he essentially legalised and formalised the brutal way the army had been operating unofficially, what a harsh disciplinarian he was with his own men and how he viewed his men like machines similar to his beloved artillery.
Charles had been sent to gain practical military experience with Torstensson as his mentor.
"All I know of war I owe to Torstensson" is a genuine quote from Charles X. Again it is too early for me to dig the source.
As for Charles X capacity for ruthlessness and brutality, I am going with the way he behaved OTL at Prague and in Poland. The Polish war for which he bears command responsibility was an utter horror show. To give just one example of conduct dishonourable even by the standards of the time, Krakow surrendered to him on terms which he immediately broke and sacked the place.
Siege of Kraków - Wikipedia
As I say, it is early in the morning and I can do better later if you want.
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FYI this is not the inner life of a sociopath:
Authors Note: There was a narrative reason I went with the whole quicklime shells thing and leant into the nastiness. I wanted to avoid having the Danes come across as cowardly.
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When are you going to instantiate this part of your title?
"Ottoman inclusion at Westphalia"
1644, Terms of Peace Treaty
Interlude – Terms
"Come here, dear girl.
Look at the amazing things going on.
Horse-taming Trojans and bronze-clad Achaeans,
men who earlier were fighting one another
in wretched war out there on the plain,
both keen for war's destruction, are sitting still.
- Homer's Illiad
15th February 1643, Dusk, Copenhagen Castle, private chamber"Come here, dear girl.
Look at the amazing things going on.
Horse-taming Trojans and bronze-clad Achaeans,
men who earlier were fighting one another
in wretched war out there on the plain,
both keen for war's destruction, are sitting still.
- Homer's Illiad
Charles I Gustav, King of Denmark, felt a terrible sadness as he finished his letter to his cousin by blood and closest childhood friend Christina I Queen of Sweden. Writing in the private cipher the two of them had developed as children – oh how Christina excelled him in mathematics and never let him forget so – had brought back memories. What had happened to him since then?
Writing in a cipher left no room for the expression of feeling. He just gave her the facts. All of them. What he had done and why.
The terms of the Treaty, and the leaking to the people of Stockholm he had arranged, had been calculated to force the privy council to declare her Majority early. That his planned intervention in The Three Kingdoms was to bring a settlement that would free far more experienced troops for The German War than it would temporarily require and bring a swifter end to the war. But that wasn't his main goal. His main goal was to remove Oxenstierna for the sake of her autonomy. An Ottoman alliance would end the war faster, but it would also free them from dependence on France. He had presented a fait acomplit and soon there would be another far more dramatic one. He informed her now of news that would be kept from all around her for weeks.
He advised her to convene the Estates as soon as her majority was declared. The Danish territory could be distributed as spoils, balancing the Estates and winning everyone her favour. The Peasants, Burghers and Clergy could have the Reduktion they clamoured for and more besides and the Nobles who lost out compensated with formerly Danish land. The details they could discuss in person. He advised her to order the Estates convened as her first act on achieving her Majority, with the fate of the Danish territory to be the main point on the agenda. Oxenstierna could not stop her coming to Copenhagen to be crowned. All he did he had done for her.
Soon they would be together and Free.
With tears in his eyes Charles rolled up a long letter that looked like nonsense. He sat for a long while before having his secretary summon some of his most loyal men. They would see that this reach Christina and travel on the same vessel as his vague, disingenuous and omission ridden report to Oxenstierna – also a fairly lengthy document full of unsubtle reminders on how unwise it would be to paint him as anything but a hero.
Red Territory ceded to Sweden effective immediately, Yellow Territory to be ceded to Sweden on the declaration of The Majority of Christina
Here follows a brief summary of the Treaty of Copenhagen. Signed by Christian V 'The Afternoon King', 15 February 1644
Effective immediately:
1. Denmark declares war on The Holy Roman Emperor, no separate peace excluding Sweden.
2. Denmark is to completely and unconditionally support the Swedish position in the Westphalian negotiations, whatever that position may become.
[Secret Clause: Sweden is to demand appropriate gains for Denmark at the Westphalian negotiations the nature of these gains to be negotiated in secret and demands made when politic]
3. Denmark and Norway to accept Charles Gustav and Christina as co-monarchs.
4. Frederick of Denmark is to renounce his position as administrator of Bremen and Verden. Each of these Bishoprics are to have three co-administrators, one elected by the Swedish Council of the Realm, one elected by the Danish Council of the Realm, one elected by the Haneatic League of cities. Garissons to be half what they were and an equal mix of soldiers in Swedish and Danish service.
5. The majority of Danish troops to be withdrawn from Gluckstadt - no further tolls on ships trading with Hamburg.
6. The immediate cessation of the islands of Gotland and Ösel to Sweden
7. The immediate cessation of the Norwegian provinces of Bohuslän, Jämtland and Härjedalen to Sweden.
8. A general adjustment of borders between Sweden and Norway to cede in perpetuity all significant Norwegian border fortifications and mountain passes to Sweden. (not shown on map)
9. Norway is forbidden in perpetuity from constructing new fortresses anywhere near her Swedish borders.
10. Norway to accept Garrisons in Swedish service in the capital and significant fortresses until the end of the German War.
11. All Norwegian regular troops (militia not included) to enter Swedish service. Effective until the conclusion of The German War.
12. Sound Dues to be lowered by 5% for ships of any flag which recognises Charles Gustav and Christina as co monarchs of Denmark and Norway.
13. Sound Dues to be lowered by 10% for ships of flags that are members of the Hanseatic League of Cities.
14. Sound Dues to be lowered by 10% for ships flying the Dutch Flag. To be increased to 15% on Dutch recognises Charles Gustav and Christina as co monarchs of Denmark and Norway.
(An embassy was swiftly dispatched to the Dutch Republic to provide assurance that Dutch interests in The Baltic would be respected and considered and to facilitate Dutch requests)
15. All Swedish shipping is henceforth and in perpetuity exempt from the sound dues.
16. All shipping carrying armaments for Swedish use is henceforth exempt from the sound dues. Effective until the conclusion of The German War.
17. 20% of revenue from the sound dues is henceforth granted in perpetuity to the Swedish Estates to spend however they see fit. 10% to the Burghers Estate. 10% to the Peasants Estate.
18. 5% of revenue from the sound dues to be likewise granted to the Burghers of Copenhagen.
19. A commission elected by these Estates to audit and oversee the collection and accounting of the sound dues.
20. Copenhagen to retain a Swedish Garrison, To retain its own laws and all Privileges confirmed and granted in the Terms of Surrender. To remain the Capital of Denmark... much waffle, vague as the Peace of Augsburg. Much more confusing than the status of Berlin in 1946.
Effective as soon as practical
1. Bornholm Island is transferred to Sweden and shall host a significant Garrison and Naval base. To be granted as a Swedish Fief to the house of Oldenburg. To retain Danish Law and be divided or shared among the legitimate sons of Christian IV however they see fit.
2. All Danish and Norwegian provinces to permit Swedish recruiting at a rate to be determined by a commission comprising Swedish Military Representatives, The Local Clergy, representatives of the Swedish Peasants Estate and an organisation of local peasants created by said commission. Purpose of the commission to fairly determine a rate of conscription which will not significantly interfere with agriculture. This to last until the end of the German War. Noblemen's estates are not exempt.
Effective 15th March 1644
1. Sound Dues to be tripped for ships of any Flag which does not formally recognise Charles Gustav and Christina as co-monarchs of Denmark and Norway (Dutch Excepted)
Effective on The declaration of the Majority of Christina by the Swedish Regency Council
1. Denmark to pay a significant indemnity to Sweden
2. Denmark to take on 25% of Swedish government debt.
3. Norway to take on 10% of Swedish government debt.
4. The 75% of revenue from the sound dues not granted to Estates in perpetuity to be transferred in perpetuity to the Monarch of Sweden as a personal income.
5. The Danish provinces of Scania, Blekinge, Halland, Zealand and Møn to be ceded to Sweden in perpetuity.
Effective on the conclusion of the German War
1. All traditional Autonomy and Privileges formerly belonging to Norway and Her Estates lost under the reign of Christian IV to be restored.
Note, just because Christian 'The Afternoon King' and the Danish Nobles in Copenhagen have signed this under duress does not mean Norway (or anyone else) will automatically accept it.
Terms to Scottish Solemn League and Covenant offered by diplomatic mission departing Copenhagen 15th February 1644
1. Reciprocal formal recognition of legitimacy. Denmark to formally recognise The Solemn League and Covenant and Scottish Estates as legitimate on the condition that they recognise Charles Gustav and Christina as co-monarchs of Denmark and Norway.
2. Offer of Military Alliance. Conditional on the Solemn League and Covenant renouncing its alliance with Parliamentarian rebels. Should this come to pass the Solemn League and Covenant is invited to assist in the garrisoning of Norway. For every man they send they are permitted to recruit 3 for their own service. This to be subject to limitation by recruiting commissions discussed in The Treaty of Copenhagen once the become active. Further mutual military assistance to be negotiated.
3. Offer of mediation in the Three Kingdoms dispute, Oxenstierna's name prominently mentioned.
4. [secret set of instructions, for various scenarios, to be opened and followed after a set delay]
Terms to King Charles of The Three Kingdoms offered by diplomatic mission departing Copenhagen 15th February 1644
1. Offer of mutual recognition
2. Formal apology for Swedish support for Parliamentarians.
3. Explanation of how the situation has changed now Denmark-Norway, once linked to Charles Stuart by blood, is no longer extant as a Swedish rival.
4. Emphasis of shared interests of monarchs holding personal unions together so close to oneanother. Example set by Parliamentarian rebels a threat to Swedish-Danish-Norwegian personal union.
5. Assurances that diplomatic efforts are being made to end the Covenanter-Parliamentarian alliance and request for guidance in this matter.
6. Offer of mediation in the Three Kingdoms dispute, Oxenstierna's name to be prominently mentioned
Terms to Ottoman Sultan offered by diplomatic mission departing Copenhagen 17th February 1644
1. News of Denmark joining the war in support of Sweden and great detail on how this will strengthen the Swedish position to be communicated.
2. Offer of a defensive military alliance directed at Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
3. Invitation to join the German War.
4. In such an instance Denmark swears to demand Ottoman representation at Westphalia
5. Invitation to negotiate a formal alliance prohibiting separate peace.
6. In the event of alliance prohibiting separate peace, Denmark offers to demand all Hungary, or as much as can be taken plus territories that ensure Ottoman representation in the Austrian, Bavarian and Swabian circles of the Empire for The Ottomans.
7. Offer to negotiate mutual demands.
8. This is a chance to achieve long term security for your northern border.
9. Once all this has been communicated to The Sultan, Danish diplomatic mission to liase with and update Swedish representative in Constantinople.
All diplomats are Danish lesser nobles suggested by Admiral Vind sent with Swedish escort. The diplomats to the three kingdoms had their Lands and Titles doubled prior to departure. The diplomat to The Sultan had his Lands and Titles tripled.
The mission to Constantinople carries lavish gifts including a significant number of books and scholars from the University of Copenhagen, examples of all the most up to date Swedish military equipment and a large number of officers and military experts to serve as advisors and/or a training cadre – with instructions to provide The Turks with as much intelligence as possible on The German War, its conduct and the nature of the foe.
Help Requested. Does anyone have sources on how long it took to sail from Scandinavia to Scotland, England or Constantinople in the 1600's (or just sail places in Europe generally)
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Well 1645 OTL The Ottomans took a while deciding between attacking Austria or attacking Venice. The Swedish representative pleaded for the former in vain. I will put this in the OP.
TTL a stronger Sweden means the Ottomans pick Austria rather than Venice. Whether it happens in 1645 or sooner that would be telling...
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The Dutch, English, Spaniards and French are going to do all they can to stop Sjaelland from falling into Swedish hands. That effectively puts the Baltic tolls in one power's hand. Something all 4 of these powers are against. And the Dutch navy alone could stand toe to toe with the Swedish navy at this time to intimidaate them to say nothing of the other navies.
I know this. I depicted Charles Gustav having this discussion with Admiral Jorgen Vind
(Technically with the Tolls a personal income of Christina who has been acclaimed monarch of Denmark they are in both powers hands but I do take your point)I have depicted the French and Dutch forming an agreement to limit Swedish gains (as they did OTL). However everyone you mention does happen to be at war. I guess we will see what happens...
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1644, Charles Gustav, Preparation, War of The Three Kingdoms, Christina
Part 4 – The Brigand of Europe*
Act 1 – The Western Design
if a man is an open rebel every man is his judge and executioner
- Martin Luther
Pray Child, Pray!
Tomorrow comes the Swede,
Tomorrow comes the Oxenstierna,
He will soon teach you to pray,
Pray, Child Pray!
- German Children's rhyme (found in many regions and dialects)
Act 1 – The Western Design
if a man is an open rebel every man is his judge and executioner
- Martin Luther
Pray Child, Pray!
Tomorrow comes the Swede,
Tomorrow comes the Oxenstierna,
He will soon teach you to pray,
Pray, Child Pray!
- German Children's rhyme (found in many regions and dialects)
Audience Chamber Copenhagen Castle, early morning 16th February 1644
Charles I Gustav, King of Denmark listened with feigned politeness as the English Colonel in Swedish Service ranted and raved, completely ignoring the enlisted man in the corner. Charles interjected.
“Of course, Sweden's sympathy has always been with the English Parliament. Oxenstierna has offered material support in the past. Now we are in a position to do more. Would you kindly slow down, I have summoned you that I might have a written list of your legitimate grievances for my use in the assistance of Parliament. Please speak slowly enough that my clerk may record what you say.”
“The. King. Plays. Caesar.”
“The anti-enclosure commissions. The fines. He panders to the feckless mob. When gentlemen do the public service of taking it upon themselves to improve worthless, unproductive land and put it to good use he stands in their way and robs them! All so some peasant can spend his days in indolence; sauntering after a cow and some geese to which he is in no way entitled. Sloth! Idleness! Popery! All so The King can be the darling of the mob!”
Charles cut in, “Anti-enclosure commissions. Fines.” That's something I can work with, do go on...
After the Gentleman Officer had left, Charles spoke kindly to the enlisted man. Charles had offered a large sum of money to the man who could compose the best ballad celebrating his triumph at Middelfart. This man had won the contest.
“May I ask who your Father was? I don't mean to flaunt rank, I just like to know the men I am working with”
“He was nobody of importance, but the best man I ever knew. We had a farm in Kent and we were happy.
Till a man like that come with his band of thugs. Killed my brother, took my mum and sisters off to whore. Drove me and my dad from our home with nothing but the clothes on our backs. We was starving. So my dad enlisted in Swedish Service and took me with him. It were that or I starve. I was 12 years of age.
Brave man. Saved his officers life, Officer granted him a favour, had me apprenticed as a clerk. Dead now."
The man stared into the middle distance and lapsed into his native tongue.
“They hang the man and flog the woman,
That steals the goose from the common,
But let the greater villain loose,
That steals the common from the goose.”
Charles clasped the man on the shoulders and looked at him with delight. “Remind me your name, son.”
Hank Christopher** Your Majesty
“Hank Christopher. You. Are. Perfect. I hereby Enfeoff you, your sons will be Danish Noblemen. My secretary will arrange an estate for you. I have a mission for you. Do me proud and that estate will be much larger.
As you know I don't intend to intervene in support of men like him. I summoned him here that you might have his bile as material to work with. Yesterday the Bishop of Zealand and God Almighty made me a King. Do you know what a King is?
A King is a man to whom God has entrusted the sword to defend the virtuous weak from the evil strong.” Charles drew his sword, kissed the hilt and sheathed it again.
The enlisted man nodded. “You saved my life at Middelfart.”
I intend to take London. For men like him to rise against their rightful King that they might further trample on men such as your father? I have been called by The Lord to prevent such blasphemy. With a combined Swedish-Danish fleet, carrying a combined Swedish-Danish army I will seize the mouth of the Thames and march on London.
I am sending you ahead, posing as a merchant to prepare a pamphlet justifying my actions. I will send you with considerable funds, and a printing press. Two of my officers – one of Royalist, the other of Scottish Covenanter sympathies - will accompany you along with a Theologan from Copenhagen University. They will all assist you and have veto power over what you write. Once London has fallen I intend to broker a swift and just peace. I cannot do this if my position is inconsistent with the Rhetoric of either of these factions or the doctrines of true religion. However, you are in command.
Within these parameters I want you to mirror as much as possible of what is said in the pamphlets favoured by the common people. I leave this to your discretion and initiative however I recommend a focus on the enormous tax burden the Parliamentarian tyrants impose on honest, true believing Englishmen to support their army and how much better off England would be with that army in Germany, paid for by conquered German Papists.
‘If the reign in its social and agrarian policy may be judged solely from the number of anti-enclosure commissions set up, then undoubtedly King Charles I is the one English monarch of outstanding importance as an agrarian reformer.’
W. E. Tate, The English Village Community and the Enclosure Movements
‘From 1635 to 1638 compositions [fines] were levied in respect of depopulations [enclosures] in several counties of which an account is fortunately preserved. Some 600 persons were fined during this period, the amounts in some cases being considerable.’ – E. C. K. Gonner, ‘Common Land and Inclosure’
Copenhagen Docks, 16th February 1644
Admiral Jorgen Vind stood beside his new king as the younger man personally oversaw the distribution of a large and equal bounty to every crewman of the Danish Warship Lindormen, bantering easily with the enlisted men for an unseemly length of time. The King asked each man his name and a fact about himself before repeating the man's words back to him. Only then did he take an oath of personal loyalty, before granting a days shore leave and dismissing the men. No officers would be pinching the bounty.
The King intended to do this with every warship in the fleet. This was going to be a long day.
Vind had counselled against this course of action. With the expense of what the King had planned the Danish Treasury would lack the funds to pay the Swedish indemnity. But of course his new King did not entirely trust him and expected great riches to be captured shortly. The Admiral's presence had been requested and given this was happening he might as well take a share of the popularity that was being bought.
The lack of trust was mutual of course. Vind had been furious with the harsh terms imposed by the Treaty of Copenhagen though he could not help but admire their cunning. Charles Gustav had tied his personal power to the strength of the Danish position in the new relationship with Sweden. Patriotic Danes who understood statesmanship were thus obliged to support him. He had also given all influential Danes strong reasons to desire a swift end to The German War.
After the fact, King Charles Gustav had told Vind that he demanded as much as he could for Denmark without looking like an usurper in Stockholm. And that he would get the terms revised if he could. Whatever the new Kings intentions he was clearly extremely capable.
Admiral Vind had endorsed his new King's great plan with far more enthusiasm than he felt, and would help carry it out as it represented the swiftest practical way to get the Swedish Army out of Denmark before his homeland was devoured.
Copenhagen Castle, private chamber, February 16th, Evening
Admiral of the Realm, Carl Gyllenhielm, had strong reservations about this bold plan, but an old Admiral knew which way the wind was blowing. Right now it was blowing in King Charles Gustav's direction. For a moment the old Admiral looked upon the new King and saw the lad's uncle in him. The late King of Sweden, Gyllenhielm's own, beloved, hated and oh-so-legitimate half-brother. The lad had his uncle's courage, passion and charisma and seemed to enjoy the same divine favour.
Gyllenhielm halted a seditious train of thought about just where that had lead them all to focus on the matter at hand. The New King addressed an audience of six over dinner. Himself, The kings new favourite the Danish Admiral Jorgen Vind and four senior Army men, two Swedes, two Danes.
“I appreciate the logistical difficulties, however we must move swiftly if we are to make the most of our position. I wish to make the strongest possible demonstration of what our forces can do, operating together, while no one expects them to do so. We must strike a balance between logistical concerns and maximising shock. You may requisition whatever you require and the Crown will pay a good price.”
“Our objective is the Thames Valley and the City of London. Our combined Navies will shatter whatever force guards the river and our armies will land with a large war chest and full artillery train as close to the city as possible and achieve a swift encirclement. Once this has been achieved the Thames valley is to be conquered to secure supply and bases for our navies.”
“If the city surrenders on terms, no Swedish or German soldiers will enter. With London and the Thames Valley in our hands we will mediate peace negotiations from a position of strength. Oxenstierna will chair them. Should The Scots prove receptive to our terms of alliance, our Fleets and shipping will be made available to transport a force of equivalent to half our combined numbers and Scots will form a third of the London garrison.”
“If the French and Dutch want their interests represented at the London Conference, they will have to accept the Treaty of Copenhagen. From this position we can compel the Popish Cardinal who directs French policy to stop playing silly buggers, support terms favourable to Sweden and Denmark at Westphalia and cease acting to prevent us achieving decisive success in The German War.”
“Oxenstierna is a more experienced diplomat than I and the terms will be up to him. However we will be positioned to swiftly and maximally tap the resources of The Three Kingdoms for The German War reducing the strain on both Sweden and Denmark and bringing the swiftest and most favourable end to the war”
Admiral Gyllenhielm had heard this all before in a private audience with the new King a few hours ago. As Admiral of the Realm he understood the importance of Sweden retaining Zealand - and how the maritime powers would oppose it - better than anyone. But still... the risks. He had received some private assurances, not for Danish ears. The Danish fleet would depart first, carrying two Swedish regiments picked up at Helsingborg to Ribe. Where the combined fleet would muster. At Ribe Konigsmark would embark with picked men, for of all the Swedish Generals he had the most fearsome reputation. The Swedish fleet would depart later, with the assembled civilian transport flotilla as it must first land forces in Norway.
Once the Danish fleet had departed the Swedish Fleet had the King's permission to press gang whomever it wished from the Danish islands to replace lost crew and secure whatever supplies were needed to maintain the health of those who remained. A short period of shore leave, rest and repair was also permitted. It would not do for the Danish fleet to see such behaviour or such weakness. From Ribe the flotilla would head to Glückstadt at the mouth of the Elbe, picking up the significant Danish army the Old King had positioned to menace Hamburg then proceed to target.
Thankfully, the civilian flotilla Admiral Gyllenhielm had been assembling for an intervention in Ireland had not left yet and could be redirected. He made a point of avoiding the wine. Logistical discussion would entail a long evening.
20 February 1644, Vienna
“You know I still disprove of this course of action?”
Count Maximillian von und zu Trautsmandorff told his namesake The Holy Roman Emperor to whom he was First Minister. Last week they had received a letter from general Matthias Gallas stating that the Swedish field army had withdrawn north from the Lands of the Bohemian crown. Denmark was the only likely place they could have gone.
“I have heard and considered your objections. Gallas will be proceeding blind, far from our bases. You fear the logistical consequences. I understand. However, if we do nothing they will eventually make peace with Denmark, return to my hereditary lands and continue their horrifying depredations. I cannot allow this, I have a duty to my people.”
“The Swedes will surely struggle to take the Danish islands, just as Wallenstein and my Father did. If we trap them in Jutland, the war is as good as over. My decision is made and the courier already sent.”
Library, Tre Kronor Castle, Stockholm 26 February 1644
Reading the letter she had just deciphered for the fifth time, Christina still felt giddy. After so many years of stifling frustration, she knew events were soon going to move very quickly.
She had not seen Charles in years, though she adored the man she remembered. Her servants informed her that the treaty of Copenhagen was the talk of Stockholm. Given what he had achieved already, he was surely capable of delivering on the promises he made here. On unsteady feet, she walked to the fireplace and burned what she had just written.
Still there was a lot she could do here. 17 years Christina had spent waiting, she didn't intend to do any more of it. She dispatched both her servants, one with a note to Oxenstierna asking that he accompany her to Copenhagen to be crowned, the other with summons for her most trusted lady in waiting – she wanted a list of Oxenstierna's allies with Scottish connections, intending diplomatic missions for all of them. As the servant left she began composing a formal congratulation of Charles and praise for the treaty he had secured to issue as a public statement.
Private Chambers, Tre Kronor Castle, Stockholm 26 February 1644
Lord High Chancellor Axel Oxenstierna, regent to Christina Queen of Sweden, experienced the third sleepless night of his life.
* *OTL this is what the Polish called Charles X Gustav
**Naturally this character is a homage to Hans Jakob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen
Attachments
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Sure.
Successful at what date?
Successful enough in 1645 that the Swedish ambassador in Constantinople is able to convince the Ottoman Sultan to attack Austria instead of Venice (something that came close to happening OTL). Too much further ahead and I can't tell you, as I am only considering all the consequences of changes as I write this. More successful for longer than in OTL is a fair guess but I haven't decided from the beginning to make Sweden a great power in the 19th century or anything like that. Haven't decided not to either.
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1644, Christina, Charles Gustav, Axel Oxenstiernna, Copenhagen, Lund, London, Reduktion, 30 Years War
Part 4 – The Brigand of Europe
Act 2 – Reduktion
The most perfect political community is one where the middle class is in control and outnumbers both other classes
- Aristotle
we are thus unconstrained in our private business, a spirit of reverence pervades our public acts; we are prevented from doing wrong by respect for the authorities and for the laws, having a particular regard to those which are ordained for the protection of the injured ... whereas they from early youth are always undergoing laborious exercises which are to make them brave, we live at ease ... I have dwelt upon the greatness of Athens because I want to show you that we are contending for a higher prize than those who enjoy none of these privileges, and to establish by manifest proof the merit of these men whom I am now commemorating.
- Pericles Funeral Oration
There are few prisoners more closely guarded than princes
- Christina I, abdicated former Queen of Sweden*
^ Authentic contemporary painting of Christina dressed as Minerva/Athena. In my TL her costume is less modest, more dramatic, less roman, more greek.Act 2 – Reduktion
The most perfect political community is one where the middle class is in control and outnumbers both other classes
- Aristotle
we are thus unconstrained in our private business, a spirit of reverence pervades our public acts; we are prevented from doing wrong by respect for the authorities and for the laws, having a particular regard to those which are ordained for the protection of the injured ... whereas they from early youth are always undergoing laborious exercises which are to make them brave, we live at ease ... I have dwelt upon the greatness of Athens because I want to show you that we are contending for a higher prize than those who enjoy none of these privileges, and to establish by manifest proof the merit of these men whom I am now commemorating.
- Pericles Funeral Oration
There are few prisoners more closely guarded than princes
- Christina I, abdicated former Queen of Sweden*
Copenhagen Castle, Great Hall, March 08 1644
“I hope you have enjoyed my hospitality, I have had to keep you here to ensure the secrecy of our upcoming campaign. Happily that will soon no longer be necessary. Yet before I bid you farewell I must ask, how can I securely trust you?”
Charles I Gustav, flanked by what the mob had taken to calling his Praetorian, addressed his assembled nobility Unwilling guests at Copenhagen Castle this past month, their numbers had recently swollen following the fall of the Norwegian Capital.
“For just under a third of you, the answer is, I can't. You were closely allied to the previous dynasty and for some presumably unrelated reason happen to own most of Denmark. Franky your conduct has also been deeply irresponsible, driven sometimes by the interests of your narrow clique, more often by the interests of yourselves alone - rather than the patriotic duty that befits nobility.”
“Therefore you will be forfeiting your titles and your entire estates. You will remain my guests indefinitely. Of course none of the Rigsrådet have been included here, despite being just as I have described. So they have all signed my decree framing the general outline of this Reduktion.
The King gestured and a document was handed out.
“As you can read, a weeks deliberation as to the specifics is permitted – however this deliberation will be advisory only. The document before you, authorised by the Rigsrådet, makes the final terms mine to decide.”
The 20 noblemen, elected by their peers, who had legal veto power over the decisions of the king nodded and gestured their agreement with guilty nervousness. They knew laws were silent in times of war. Gasps filled the room.
“For the rest of you I have happier news. Your estates are to be significantly increased. Those who currently possess the least will gain the most, but everyone not listed will gain significantly. You will notice that as well as the Rigsrådet there are a fair few of the high nobility I have chosen to exempt from confiscation. Anyone listed who wishes a private audience to plead your case for similar exemption will be granted one within the week. Lastly all noble lands, bar an exempted few, in the provinces ceded to Sweden are confiscated. Those not listed who lose estates there will be far more than compensated with land in Jutland.”
“Oh, there are also a few emergency legal measures effective until the end of the German War. Swedish occupation will remain a possibility until then, not even I can change that. I have drafted a series of laws to both assist and mitigate it. Peasant villages suspected to have assisted rebels are to be deported wholesale to New Sweden, that sort of thing. I am afraid this is the best I can do, and a far better fate than what Field-Marshal Wragnel is now doing. Penal torture is to be permanently abolished – deportation is now to be the penalty for all non-capital crimes. I require your cooperation in preventing revolt, continued and harsher Swedish occupation is the only place revolt will lead.”
“Gentlemen, if the Dutch wish to humble our new commonwealth, the New World is where they will strike. I have ordered an entire regiment, an amalgamated regiment, half Danish, half Swedish sent to garrison New Sweden as soon as its objectives in England are achieved. Denmark ought to get her foot in this door.”
“The confiscations are legally effective today. A week from today some of you will receive your new lands and titles. Tomorrow deliberations begin as to the specifics – who gets what and what taxes and other obligations will be involved. To be admitted to the deliberations you are required to demonstrate both verbally in public and legally in writing your support for this decree.”
“Guards, please remove the listed ex-gentlemen to their quarters.”
The King paused as hundreds were removed from a hall containing over a thousand. His soldiers outnumbered the unarmed noblemen, however the lack of bloodshed was determined by the fact those not listed made no move to support their betters and even shouted down their protests. The impotent rage of those led away was directed more at the nobles who remained than at the King or his men. Once the doors closed, Charles resumed.
“The Danish expedition to England sailed for Ribe last week. The Swedish contingent will depart to join them tomorrow. When I have news that the combined expedition has left Ribe, all those who sign my decree before clergy and lawyers, and, before the assembled Copenhagen Public, enthusiastically declare your support for our reign in general and this decree in particular - will be free to depart my hospitality.”
“Anyway, enough business – there will be plenty of that tomorrow. Tonight is a great feast. I would be honoured, and you would be wise, if you joined me. I would take questions, however there are matters for me to wrap up regarding the Swedish expedition before tonight. Unlike the listed ge... ex gentlemen, you have the freedom of the castle as before. In the coming week all of you are all encouraged to seek private audiences.”
With that, the King turned and left, flanked by his Praetorian. He had intentionally failed to mention the clauses regarding peasant and burgher estates to be established on the Swedish model.
Moravia, Imperialist Headquarters, 14 March 1644
General Matthias Gallas took a long swig of wine then hid the bottle in his desk draw. After taking a moment to make himself presentable he bade his clerk have the colonel enter.
“Report” he demanded, clipped and professional.
“Sir, the Transylvanians are like ghosts. They strike and fade, always one step ahead of our pursuit. There have been some nasty ambushes. I hear their motto is 'we are the kind of cavalry God doesn't want and the devil is afraid of.' I see no end to this, they are almost as bad as the Swedes. There is nothing left here, my men are starving, and pestilence is rife. Permission to speak freely?”
“Granted” Gallas sighed.
“We should take our field army in pursuit of the Swedes as The Emperor orders. Nothing of value remains to defend here.”
Gallas took a deep breath, and forced conviction into the rote line he had been reciting these past months. If he said it often enough he might even convince himself.
“Colonel, God certainly does not want these heretics, but I assure you the Devil does not fear such cowards. They are not ghosts but sinful men who will meet divine justice. They need to eat, just like our men. As you say there is nothing here. We hold the fortified towns which is where all the remaining food it. Their cavalry is fast, but they surely have a supply train – catch it and this is over.”
“Even if we don't, they lack siege capabilities. When they realise the Swedes will not be assisting them and they are dying faster than we are for no gain, they will run home like the cowards they are. A month. Two at most. Then and only then we pursue the Swedes. Defeat in detail Colonel.”
“I want you to assemble our senior officers. I will address you all tomorrow and take advice. I also want a meeting of lesser cavalry officers and intelligence staff. We. Find. That. Supply. Train. I have already written to Vienna requesting further supplies. Colonel, terror and confusion are these cowards only weapons, remember that. Stick to my line and think at all times of morale.”
After the Colonel had been dismissed, general Gallas reached once more for the bottle.
London, Palace of Whitehall, 06 May 1644
The two most powerful members of the Swedish Riksrådet – aristocrats who advised, and if you believed the pamphleteers, controlled, their monarch - met in what had once been the Throneroom of the English King. The King who fled his capital for Oxford.
Admiral of the Realm, Carl Gyllenhielm was elated and greeted his old friend with informal delight.
“Axel, I instructed my servants to wake me as soon as you arrived and I came as soon as I could. Forgive me, the past months have been most taxing and an old man finds he needs his rest.”
Reading his friends expression, he paused.
“My dear friend, what troubles you?”
Lord High Chancellor Axel Oxenstierna, once one of the most powerful men in Europe, had a thousand reasons to be troubled. The brat Charles Gustav had wrought havoc with his life's work and worse was loved for it. Oxenstierna had bowed to the inevitable and declared Christina's majority early, tied as this was to ratifying the treaty with Denmark and tying up the Danish war. Charles had over-reached, the French, the Dutch, +Everyone+ would retaliate. The system of alliances he had devoted his life to maintaining would be undone. But it was a fait acompli and a display of disunity would only invite worse retaliation. So he supported her early majority.
Christina had been so meek afterwards, said she wasn't ready, insisted he come with her to Denmark. After all what would she do without him? A huge crowd had gathered for her departure, so many notables present and the crowd had demanded to hear her speak. Prearanged. He was already on the ship, she had pretended to dawdle. Her lifeguards had restrained him as she address the crowd.
And what did she say? Instructed that the first instalment of the Danish indemnity – conveniently held offshore for this moment - be distributed to the Copenhagen mob! She instructed that his choice of regent be replaced with hers and distributed a detailed document regarding grievances to be addressed with instructions culled from the writings of the most insolent representatives of the Peasant and Burghers Estates. And then? And then she formally convened the Rikstag of the Estates for 'a general redress of grievances and to decide the distribution of the conquered territory, to discuss the long clamoured for Reduktion of the nobility and noble compensation from the conquered territory'. In the middle of the greatest war the world had ever seen!
Worse was to come.
She had insisted on bringing that harlot Ebba Sparre and the whole journey they taunted him with their tittering and unseemly affection. At her coronation in Copenhagen she spoke of restoring the ancient rights of the Danish Estates. She would not let him speak with her darling Charles Gustav alone, so it was before his Queen and the Jezebel that never left her side, that he confronted the usurper.
And that was when he heard of this English folly. The fleet had left, recall was impossible. The usurper had exposed Denmark to foreign attack, destabilised the kingdom internally, and sent over half of the Swedish field army, with an equal number of Danes and most of the fleets of both nations on this fools errand. And where were they now? He had learned that most of his Aristocratic allies had been sent to Scotland as diplomats – secret written orders dispatched the day Christina gained her majority, so they could not attend the meeting of the Estates. And neither could he. As soon as she had the news that London had fallen, the Queen had dispatched him to oversee a peace conference – practically under guard!
Ever the diplomat, Oxenstierna chose his words.
“We are almost naked here. Where are our ships? Where are our men? I saw wrecks that will not sail for months - no matter how they swarm with repair crews - more than I can count - coming up the Thames. Seaworthy vessels? I have seen only a token force at the mouth of the Thames. You are Admiral of the Realm! How can you be happy?”
The Chancellor glared at the Admiral.
“I am happy" the Admiral replied "because the Lord favours us and we have won a stunning victory which will awe the world. I will admit, the King of Denmark's plan was bold to the point of madness. Even I had no idea how superior English ships are to ours in artillery duel. But they knew not our intentions and didn't fire until we were close. Their guns took a severe toll but they were pinned and outnumbered and our ships carried army men. As soon as it came to boarding it was all over. We took so many prises almost all of them seaworthy, including the flagship.”
“Few of the ships you saw being refitted were put out of commission during the battle of the Thames Estuary. London fell after 8 days of bombardment. Soon after she did our combined fleets sailed the length of the coast of the Spanish Netherlands, bombarding the towns. That's where we took the damage, from skirmishing and shore batteries. Lots of casualties, but it will be the talk of Europe!”
“We had to get close enough that there could be no mistake that 3 nations operated together. Fire ships and the Spanish desire to avoid mutual destruction enabled us to disengage. The English flagship 'Sovereign of the Seas' suffered terribly. At one point I thought she wouldn't make it back, but she had to be clearly seen so we exposed her. Still, make it back she did, and while she won't fight again this year within two months we can escort her back to the Baltic!”
Oxenstierna ground his teeth.
“Where are our ships and men? Engaged elsewhere. Engaged several else where's. We did what we must to demonstrate our capabilities and now we achieve our remaining objectives before foreign powers respond. As we sailed for the Spanish Netherlands, a third of London's treasury was dispatched for Copenhagen. Swedish Regiments alongside the London Trained Bands - enlisted in Swedish service – departed for for Bremen. They will be seconded to Hesse-Kassel until more of our forces return to Germany. As they didn't surrender immediately such were the terms. Naturally warship escorts were required. A flotilla of English prizes go with the English embassy to Constantinople. They carry treasure, and an artillery train with crew plus a cadre of experienced siege engineers, to be seconded to our Transylvanian allies.”
“Copenhagen, Transylvania.” Oxenstierna repeated.
“Our fleet returned. After resupplying and having received the English King's terms, most warships ships still seaworthy plus our requisitioned transport fleet headed north with the bulk of our artillery, most of the swedish troops who could not find horses as well as half the Danes. To take Hull. They carried much of the treasury and all the provisions we could gather. News of the fall of London should make Hull surrender, Hull is where almost all our infantry will remain. Hull because the English armies are concentrated near York.”
“And you expect to recruit them?” Oxenstierna interjected.
“Precisely, their King agreed to such terms. After Hull, the fleet moves on to Newcastle. At Newcastle we pick up the Scottish and our fleet divides. A third of the embarked Scots will be brought to London escorted by most of our warships. The other two thirds of the Scots head for Ireland with the artillery train and massive war chest we have provided them, a small naval escort as well as all those who can ride but who we could not horse here in so short a timeframe. Bar a few token horesemen for Hull. An infantry regiment – half Danish, half Swedish heads for New Sweden.”
“Ireland. New Sweden.” Oxenstierna sighed.
“Indeed, it is imperative that we ensure the Scottish complete the conquest and pacification of Ireland before the King in Oxford stabilises England. In terms of our direct interests, the Parliamentarian Fleet is divided, patrolling the coast to intercept royalist arms shipments from the Netherlands. The sally North will enable our concentrated fleets to hit them, defeat them in detail and take even more prises!”
The Admiral radiated glee.
“The ships you have seen are only the worst damaged, those that can sail, but barely, have gone North. Those capable of reaching Norway will do so. Those unfit to leave the coast will be given to the Scots. For every ship of ours sunk we have taken 3 prizes. However, we have lost a great many sailors. Many warships now sail with skeleton crews as transports unable to fight. The Danish King anticipated this and we are instructed to sell as many of them as we see fit to the French on the condition that the French accept the Treaty of Copenhagen.”
“All our men we could horse in so short a timeframe, General Königsmark has taken, to give those English counties of strongest parliamentarian sympathy a taste of what the pamphlets call 'German Barbarism'. In London, the Danish King's orders clearly stipulated that we enact many of the demands of these so called 'levellers'. Subsidised bread and other basic commodities. Guaranteed work or maintenance. Granted having moved so rapidly with inadequate logistics and with so many ships to repair we have no shortage of work. But labourers commitees set the wages and it all adds up. The homes of wealthy parliamentarians have become almshouses for the crippled. Hank Chistopher, the radical English pamphleteer the Danish King saw fit to enoble, holds court over a 'committee of public welfare' in St James Palace. Worst of all, the mob has begun to think and reason! Every street seems to have a committee. There is no censorship of anything but criticism of our occupation, and the printing presses have never been busier. The Danes allow it all.”
Oxenstierna blasphemed.
"Indeed, I too baulked at first, however one must admit this is an ingenious way to compel both the English King and the London mob to accept a Scottish garrison in London after we leave – the Scots as you well know being our reliable allies. And the mob gleefully endorsed Danish looting of known Parliamentarians. Give the poor man a crumb and he will help you ship the rich mans cakes out of the city. Of course this can only end very badly, but it isn't us who will have to hold London long term. However, combining this with our military demands means what remains of the treasury, even what we have stripped from the property of known Parliamentarian's, will soon be exhausted. So we must resort to Königsmark and the Fire Tax."
“As for why I am so happy, I personally negotiated with the King in Oxford and he accepted our preliminary terms with alacrity. I think his game is to play for time and he imagines it can all be rescinded. He doesn't know the Scots will garrison London or that their expedition to Ireland will have the Artillery train, experienced cavalry and war chest we have provided. He thinks they will still be bogged down when he has stabilised England and we are forced to withdraw.”
Oxenstierna exhaled. “And what preliminary terms did you negotiate?”
“Broadly thus:
- Britain recognises the treaty of Copenhagen.
- A treaty of defensive alliance to be signed between The Scandinavian and British Commonwealths.
- Treaty to include mutual assistance against rebels (with special exceptions and clauses regarding Scotland to be negotiated)
- England declares war on The Emperor.
- All Parliamentarian soldiers (and with a few exceptions officers) to be granted a full pardon, the security of their property and the eventual payment of their arrears; on the condition that they enlist in Swedish service for the duration of the German War.
- Some Royalist forces and officers to accompany and supervise them to ensure they will be loyal on return.
- The English expedition to Germany to be funded (figures specified) by the sale of the estates of Parliamentarian's without military experience.
- England sends a lavish embassy to Constantinople to detail her commitment to The German War and urge the Sultan to attack The Emperor.
- The reconquest of Ireland to be assigned to the Scottish Covenanters.
- Presbyterianism to be the official religion in Ireland and the Scottish empowered to enforce it.
- The property of Irish Catholics to be confiscated and its redistribution to be decided solely by the Scottish Parliament.
- Irish Expedition to be funded and supplied by England and Wales (figures specified). Territory captured by the Scot's to be held as security until Irish conquest is complete.
- Royal writs summoning Newcastle, Dublin and Drogheda to surrender to the Scot's (carried north with our fleet).
And in exchange? We ensure no further Scottish operations in England, and take as many Parliamentarian combatants to Germany as we can. Enabling The King to do as he pleases with England. He returns to London once the bulk of the Parliamentarian Armies have agreed to the terms I outlined, for a sham peace conference where he gets his way with everyone but the Scots – a conference chaired by you! Oh, and some commitments about the restoration of the Palatinate to become effective once significant English forces are in Germany. As I said, I believe he thinks time is on his side, all this can be rescinded, and appearing united with us is the best way to demoralise his enemies. Then he thinks he will hit Scotland while their forces are bogged down in Ireland. Do you see why I am smiling?”
Oxenstierna sighed.
“I hope our Fleets get back soon. I assume the French and Dutch ambassador's in London want to see us? Send excuses, I need time to think and make myself presentable. Have them meet us and the senior Danish representative here in two hours. France first.”
Danish-Swedish Forward Command Post outside Hull, England, 10 May 1644
Sergeant Brage Dalman liked reconnaissance and diplomatic duties. He had distinguished himself in battle during the conquest of Bohuslän and he had liked that too. An understatement if ever there was one. The connection he had felt to his men and the holy spirit, the exultation of breaking the enemy – something to live for. Brage had lead his men from the front shared their danger and always been where the fighting was thickest. Two Norwegian horsemen had fallen to his rapier, one to his pistol. Baptised in fire he had become a true Krigare.
However the cavalry veterans of The German War chilled him. Their open and proud cruelty. The way they joked about it. 'Offensive logistics'... So Brage was happy to have been among the recently recruited cavalry sent to Hull rather than those who went with the German veterans who followed Königsmark or those en route to Ireland. He was considering requesting the transfer of his unit to the New World.
There had been no battle for Hull. Seeing the Swedish army and receiving prominent London citizens announcing the cities fall and delivering the English King's terms the garrison surrendered, were paid a bounty, enlisted in Swedish service and were dispatched for Bremen. Brage met his colonel at the forward command post outside Hull and delivered his report.
“The Scots were gone before we reached York, abandoning the siege and heading north. They gave the Parliamentarians no explanation. We delivered the English Kings terms and the Danish noble diplomats to both Prince Rupert and the Earl of Manchester. The Earl of Manchester surrendered, however his army mutinied before the Royalists reached York.”
“Both English armies have split. The Parliamentarians who followed Manchester are still at York being disarmed and reorganised by the Royalists under Baron Byron. The mutineers follow Oliver Cromwell. They outmanoeuvred everyone and are racing south. Prince Rupert is in pursuit.”
“The confusion was too great to ascertain proportions. Manchester insisted I take his diplomatic representative to Hull immediately. May I present Lord Fairfax*.
Rikstag of the Estates, Lund, Sweden (former Denmark), 27 May 1644
Christina and Charles looked resplendent as they opened the meeting of the Swedish Rikstag of the Estates. They had come directly from their coronation in Norway and were bedecked with the Crown Jewels of Norway and Denmark. They wore Classical garb, Christina was dressed as Athena and carried a spear, a real one. At her side Ebba Sparre, her lady in waiting, was a vision to behold, dressed as Venus.
Charles was dressed as Mars. His picked men wore the garb of legionaries and their entry was marked with the trappings of a Roman Triumph.
Once the raucous cheering and applause died away, Christina spoke. Nervous and shy as a youth, three coronations in swift succession had made her bold. She spoke of wisdom, harmony and the role of a monarch. It was a monarch's place to bring harmony to a kingdom, to balance the Estates.
During her minority the harmony of Sweden had been lost. A clique of irresponsible nobles had ruled in her stead and trampled the other three estates. She had called this meeting of the Estates, this Riksdag, to restore harmony. She expressed her will, to be debated and amended by this meeting. Unusually for a Rikstag, she was asking for no new taxes, though naval expansion and the reorganisation of naval recruitment was to be discussed to meet recently increased need and make naval service more voluntary.
It was her will that the Reduktion of the nobility, long called for, be implemented in its most radical form. The nobles who lost land would be compensated with conquered territory but for the high nobility the compensation would be partial. This meeting was to work out the details. The irresponsible high nobility were to lose, but lesser nobles who had behaved with justice and responsibility would only gain from this meeting. What she did not mention was her intention to exempt those allies among the high nobility she had secured in advance.
It was her will that the conquered territory be equally split four ways between the Crown and the Noble, Peasant and Clergy estates. An enormous gain for the Clergy, she wished to establish a parallel body, responsible for secular learning, which would henceforth form half the Clergy estate. She cited the shortage of competent administrators for a growing empire and how those administering German territory found theology graduates unequal to the necessary tasks.
She would hear and address Peasant and Burgher grievances. Increased powers and more permanent organisation were to be granted the Peasant and Burgher Estates, including permanent elected representatives on the Riksradet Royal Council.
She saved her most controversial proposals for last. A Women's Estate – organised like a micro Rikstag with equal representation of Noble, Peasant and Burgher women – to be a permanent body that would be represented at future meetings of the Rikstag. Ebba Sparre would be entrusted with establishing it. And her wish to amend the constitution that the Rikstag meet regularly, not only when called by the monarch.
She concluded her opening speech by emphasising the importance of restoring harmony to the effective conduct and conclusion of the German War, then asked Charles the conquerer and hero to speak.
Charles began by emphasising how much he had won for Sweden. Dominarum Maris Baltici – he used the Latin. The Sound Tolls. How as King of Denmark he had stripped the Danish Nobility of almost all their possessions in the conquered territory before it was transferred to Sweden. So in fact almost the entire conquered territory he presented as spoils and tribute to the assembled Riksdag and the Swedish Queen to distribute as they saw fit.
Then he spoke of his experiences as a General. He cribbed Pericles and spent a long time praising the Common Swedish Soldiery to highest heaven. The conqueror spoke of how the freedom and artistic passion of Swedish culture, embodied in the rights, liberties and independent land ownership of the common Swedish peasant – of having something wonderful to fight for - were the source of Swedish martial prowess and unequalled fighting spirit. Then he spoke of how this had eroded under the tyranny of Oxenstierna's clique, of demoralisation, desertion and mutiny. He gave his advisory opinion that if Sweden was to triumph in the German War and hold her empire after, then the grievances of the Peasant and Burgher Estates must be honestly and fully addressed, further that the common people must receive a large portion of the spoils of victory.
He finished by speaking of his youth with Queen Christina, how he knew her better than anyone present. She was wiser than Oxenstierna and his beloved mentor Torstensson combined. Her wise mind was married to a valiant heart. She was truly Her Fathers Daughter, her reign the dawn of a new age. She would eclipse even Her Father in the glory she would bring Sweden.
* This is an OTL Quote
** Not Thomas Fairfax who commanded the New Model Army OTL. This guy is his more conservative father.
Classical fancy dress was an OTL obsession of Swedish Royalty. Gustavus once appeared before the Rikstag dressed as a Goth. Christina and her friends regularly performed plays with classical themes as young teens with Ebba Sparre (Christina's suspected lover) regularly playing Venus. I have included a genuine painting of Christina dressed as Minerva/Athena.
All my sources tell me Christina's relationship with Oxenstierna was unhappy. Oxenstierna being controlling and Christina resentful. Geoffrey Parker says that when Oliver Cromwell made himself Lord Protector, Christina publicly claimed Oxenstierna had schemed to do the same. Geoffrey Parker also details bitter class strife in Sweden towards the end of the 30 years war with civil war narrowly avoided following the peace of Westphalia. In this timeline Christina is more confident due to the atmosphere at court in the run up to the Danish war. When Charles Gustav gives her the chance she makes all the allies she can to emancipate herself and is now kind of drunk on power 17 years old and having 3 coronations in swift succession.
For Charles Gustav's populism (classical meaning of the term populism): as OTL king, he actually did implement part of the Reduktion called for by the Peasant and Burgher Estates. Michael Roberts claims he tried to abolish serfdom in Swedish Pomerania and was stopped by the Imperial courts. In my timeline he is a nicer guy than OTL because he spent less time with Torstensson – though as we have seen he still learned great cruelty from that mentor.
While both these characters are young, reckless and as arrogant as royalty - they were both very competent and skilled politicians.
The other Charles: Geoffrey Parker details how over and over again humouring people and playing for time was the M/O of Charles, King of England Scotland and Ireland when confronted with shocking developments.
Time is moving faster now and Ottoman involvement isn't far off.
All my sources tell me Christina's relationship with Oxenstierna was unhappy. Oxenstierna being controlling and Christina resentful. Geoffrey Parker says that when Oliver Cromwell made himself Lord Protector, Christina publicly claimed Oxenstierna had schemed to do the same. Geoffrey Parker also details bitter class strife in Sweden towards the end of the 30 years war with civil war narrowly avoided following the peace of Westphalia. In this timeline Christina is more confident due to the atmosphere at court in the run up to the Danish war. When Charles Gustav gives her the chance she makes all the allies she can to emancipate herself and is now kind of drunk on power 17 years old and having 3 coronations in swift succession.
For Charles Gustav's populism (classical meaning of the term populism): as OTL king, he actually did implement part of the Reduktion called for by the Peasant and Burgher Estates. Michael Roberts claims he tried to abolish serfdom in Swedish Pomerania and was stopped by the Imperial courts. In my timeline he is a nicer guy than OTL because he spent less time with Torstensson – though as we have seen he still learned great cruelty from that mentor.
While both these characters are young, reckless and as arrogant as royalty - they were both very competent and skilled politicians.
The other Charles: Geoffrey Parker details how over and over again humouring people and playing for time was the M/O of Charles, King of England Scotland and Ireland when confronted with shocking developments.
Time is moving faster now and Ottoman involvement isn't far off.
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Request: Soon our story takes us to Constantinople. Can anyone recommend resources on Ottoman internal politics, foreign policy and the nature of their military in the 17th century? All I got so far is one chapter in Geoffrey Parker.
Also, comments always appreciated. What would people like to hear more of?
Also, comments always appreciated. What would people like to hear more of?
Hecatee
Donor
I'm afraid the period is rather outside off my expertise, but maybe you could look at the forums of Eric Flint's 1632 community for sources on Ottomans in the period ? There should be plenty given that the Empire has figured in the series and shapes up to be one of the main antagonists in the coming books.
