The Duchy of Mieczyslaw

Further Pressure into Mieczyslaw

2011-12-04T19:38:00.000-08:00

With the Cossack breakthrough the defenders of the Duchy had to respond.

Moving the horse to overcome the Cossacks, then filling in the lines along the river.

Just in time as the Boyars have moved to press on both flanks ...

Tabletop battles to come ...

Cossack Breakthrough!

2011-10-09T20:55:00.000-07:00

Amazingly the Cossack attempt at the river line managed to force a crossing.

The Allied light companies covered the known and suspected river fords in the Drohizyn region.

They had no artillery and chose to use an 'opening ruse' to lure some of the Cossacks across the river, then defeat them in detail after they were forced to face a rapidly formed square.

The cossacks chose to take the bait, expecting to be repulsed yet pressing home for a chance at success all the same ...

To their utter horror the light infantry companies watched as one-third of their number was literally ridden down like grass. The hasty square exercise was a total failure and the cossacks rode like madmen among them, cutting apart the company and sending less than half of the survivors scattering to the winds.

Seeing an opportunity like no other to completely envelop the defenders the Cossack command chose to press home on the center company of the Allied contingent of light infantry. Fully both sides of this line was covered by the wild riding light horsemen of the Russian steppes.

This time the company of infantry chose to make better use of their shot and powder. They delivered a devastating volley into the Cossacks, then stood tall to take on their charge from both front and rear!

Amazingly they defeated the Cossacks this time ... however one half of the Cossacks retreated away from the river pressing on deeper south into Mieczyslaw, the line of defense was broken. The strategic situation was a loss, what the infantry needed now was to hold the line by day long enough to break off from contact and retreat by night fall.

The Cossack commander was willing to stay cautious now as the remaining parts of his command were bloodied and shaken, he reverted to a defensive posture until he could learn what had become of the squadron that had penetrated the line so well!

By midnight it was clear that the light infantry had retreated to the west along the river. Now a path across the river line was open, could this be the flank attack line?

Battle Awaits

2011-10-07T19:50:00.001-07:00

The Boyar Cossacks have pressed the river line.

Unable to keep the Cossacks in check, they have pushed ahead to the flank of the Mieczyslaw lines along the river.

Tabletop battle awaits!

Count Boyarisov

2011-10-02T23:33:00.000-07:00

Considering his options ...

Count Vladimir Boyarisov now must decide, shall he depart Moscou to personally oversee the troop dispositions or could he count on the generals to take on the critical tasks in Mieczyslaw?

Boyar Second Move

2011-10-02T20:19:00.000-07:00

The Boyars continue their advance on Mieczyslaw

Now that the Tzarina has started the invasion of the East Altmorania territories, the flank riding cavalry has moved to break out and cover the right (north) flank of the advancing columns. Meanwhile to the south (left flank) the cossacks continue to raid, now into the town of Bielsk Podlaski.

News of the Cossack attack came well in advance of their approach and only the feeble and the infirm were left behind. The Cossacks were left with little in treasures to capture, though many stores were taken.

The main body of Boyars has now entered Pajewo on the main road through Mieczyslaw.

Setting up a campaign

2011-08-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

Here we see the opening Position for the troops in a cyberboard view.

For the Cyberboard system, I have put together many of the parts and pieces that I have been working on over the past few years.

Now I have a game box that includes parts of the imagi-nations that we have been using on the Emperor vs. Elector concept.

So I have begun a Seven Years War and shall game it out via tabletop, board games and a mass combat system for use in Role Playing Games.

Time to see how well (or not) it will all work.

Count Vladimir Boyarisov

2011-08-14T14:46:00.000-07:00

The Count Vladimir Boyarisov had risen to lead the Hetman of Boyardvina in only five short years.

His combination of vision, energy and drive worked well with his natural charisma and charming outward dispositions.

He had made his friendship with Tzarina Elizabeth and her new Field Marshal, now they had made him principle leader of their south columns.

There was no delay in his preparations ... though in his haste he may have overlooked the character and nature of the leaders of the military formations...

Miecek Duda Located

2011-08-07T22:07:00.000-07:00

One Time ADC Miecek Duda has been found in the service of the Duke of Tragardland as part of his Lifeguard of Horse.

Now the critical message must be got through to the Duke of Tragardland via Miecek Duda that Mieczyslaw is in need of assistance....

Cossacks in Bialystock

2011-08-06T10:54:00.000-07:00

The local Hetman chose to stand with his farmers and militia rather than flee.

The great relics of their parish had been collected and other treasures secreted in a farm outside of the town.

While the main force of Cossacks did not face any resistance in Bialystock directly, this column to the south did.

The militia and defenders learned that the Cossacks were on their way with three troops, numbering more then their meager forces. There was no way that they could run away, so they set up to defend the farmhouses and the little bridge.

The waves of pony riders swarmed over the nearby hills and across the stream.

This caused the bridge to become a worthless defense.

Seeing that the fields would become the critical battleground the Hetman Viktor rode out to personally hold back a half a dozen riders and give time for his militia to form firing lines.

Even the evacuation of the bridge was not simple and a few militia managed to shoot a couple of Cossacks out of their saddles. Not enough to stop them from swarming half of the buildings of the farm. This half did not have the critical treasures that had now been dragged up into the attic of the other major building.

The fields were swarmed by the Cossacks ... some shot as they crossed the underbrush at the edge of the fields, others cut down by the heroic efforts of the Hetman Viktor!

Hetman Viktor was wounded first by the volleys of the militia as he fought bravely against four to one odds. The wound was not enough to throw him from the saddle, it was enough to slow him down. Thankfully he was only facing one more Cossack. Sadly he was not fast enough to parry this last Cossack that felled the Hetman.

The militia began to fall apart ... half of them fleeing in the face of the Cossacks, the other half halt, nervous, yet held. Enough to break the cossacks will to fight in the field.

Unfortunately for the defenders, more Cossacks had swarmed behind the critical building, they entered and a confused series of battles raged room to room.

Enough losses came to the Cossacks, they broke off their attack, literally just in time for the remaining militia for they were also close to fleeing. They had save the treasures, lost more than half their numbers to death, many others were wounded. There was just enough left to flee the town with the holy relics and some of the valuables.

Boyar's Support from the Tzarina

2011-07-31T11:58:00.000-07:00

Count Vladimir Boyarisov bowed low as the procession of Tzarina Elizabeth and her consort Count Alexei Grigorievich Razumovsky, now newly made Field Marshal.

The deal he had struck earlier that same afternoon with Count Razumovsky left him free to annex and move on the Mieczyslaw lands of Flety. Vladimir knew that the Mieczylaw nobles in that region would support his move, the trouble would come from Mieczylaw itself and the likely response would be military in nature.

Count Boyarisov smirked to himself as the priests began their chants, this time the Mieczyslaw military force would not have a free hand, for Vladimir had seen the treaty of alliance that the Tzarina had signed with Wein and Paris. This time there would be a great powers war and he, Count Vladimir Boyarisov would have charge of the left wing of the Tzarina's forces, he would be free to annex and conquer Mieczyslaw while the poor nobles of that province would have to choose sides, either with the Empress in Wein, or the mad killer king of Altmorania. His spies in the Noble assembly in Mieczyslaw informed him that due to the current Duke having been supported in his place by the Duchy of the North and the known animosity between Norden and Altmorania it would be impossible for Mieczyslaw to stand alongside the butchers from Brandenburg. Meaning they would have to accept either rule by Wein or Moscou, either way Count Boyarisov became ruler and would enrich the Boyar fortune.

Boyar First Move

2011-07-27T20:00:00.001-07:00

The Boyars have crossed the Nomad River and are now in the Province of Mieczyslaw.

They are clearly on the main road to Brandenburg, their primary target: Altmorania.

The only problem is that Mieczyslaw has not openly granted this army passage...

Empress Merrie Teaser

2011-07-26T17:16:00.001-07:00

Scene: Imperial Palace in Wein.

Empress Merrie Teaser is preparing to enter the Grand Ballroom where a majority of the court awaits her arrival.

A page quickly steps forward with a note on a silver platter, the note is somewhat crumpled and dirty on the gleaming silver surface. The platter is offered to the Empress who glances at it then at the young aide de Camp of her Field Marshal Dawna, she nods to the young man to open the note.

He quickly takes the scrap of paper and only part way through digesting the information reports to the Empress,

"Field Marshal Dawna reports that his spies near the borders of Altmorania, Stagonia and Saxe-Bearstein have seen columns of troops both entering and assembling in Saxe-Bearstein and along the border regions. The Marshal writes that she fully expects Saxe-Bearstein to be invaded by the time your Majesty receives this note. Without a doubt King Freddy has initiated a war posture and means to invest our northern borders."

All assembled are silent, the Empress speaks quietly.

"Thank you M. aide de Camp." she adjusts her dress to smooth out the front.

"I shall compose an appropriate response after having entertained our ministers and court this evening." She looks about her in the small hallway at the entrance doors to the hall.

"None of you are to speak of this news." She lets out a calm breath and takes in another calm breath. "You may announce us now."

Empresses Make Moves

2011-07-24T20:46:00.000-07:00

The Duchy of Mieczyslaw is in an impossible position.

Empress Merrie Teaser has concluded a pact with the Tsarina Elizabeth. Together they shall strike out at Altmorania Elector Freddy the Bill (his favorite execution method).

Unfortunately for The Duchy of Mieczyslaw the Boyardvinians are supported by the Tsarina. With this support they have volunteered to open a path for the main Russian armies into Altmoranian territory. Now The Duchy of Mieczyslaw must call a szlachta to summon the defenses of the realm ... or have there been other choices made by certain nobles?

Here we see the Boyar commander and his staff settling in for the night now across the Nomad River the natural boundary between Boyardvina and Mieczyslaw.

Cossacks led the way across the river earlier in the day, while the senior command looked on, pontoons were put across the river and artillery crossed along with some 11 Battalions of foot, 8 squadrons of Horse (including the two Cossack formations) and a train of 5 batteries of artillery.

Here is pictured the Grenadier Brigade crossing, led by its artillery batteries ... to the right is the Boyar Prince Danil Borislav.

Prince Borislav inspects the engineering works of the pontoons and congratulates his Engineering officer on a good first crossing. Many more will be needed.

Seen crossing here is a brigade of Allied troops from nearby Burtzenia sent by Empress Teaser to support the opening of a way through Mieczyslaw.

This force is more than the Mieczyslaw one and a critical choice must now be made as the dogs of war have been let loose!

Religious Freedom

2011-05-14T14:02:00.000-07:00

Duke Jerzy called a convocate of the szlachta towards the end of his life. He had realized that a hereditary dynasty was not in the best interest of the divisive peoples of Mieczyslaw. Moreover, were he to press for such an action then the pressures from Rome, Moscwa, and the more secular west would most certainly lead to war.

The countryside had avoided the religious wars of Urope and there was no need to start them all over again here in peaceful Mieczyslaw.

The best way to maintain the peace was to declare a freedom of all to practice religious observance and to have the szlachta elect the next and all future Dukes.

The szlachta were at first divided on the issue, then when it became clear ~ after a number of riots in the south and east that were brought about by the news that the szlachta were going to reject the freedom act then the nominal majority agreed to both terms.

Duke Jerzy died only three months after signing the great proclamation of Religious Freedom.

Miecek Duda departs for the mysterious Tragardland

2009-01-13T09:26:00.000-08:00

One time Aide de Camp Miecek Duda, most noted for his 'unusual' symphonies and loud presence on the battlefield, has been selected to command a foreign contingent.

Duke Karl Frederick has conferred a command within the fusilier company of the Tradgardland Legion to Miecek Duda.

The young officer departs Mieczyslaw on the next high tide along with two golden cubits to pay for his commissioning in Tradgardland.

All Hail the Right and true Duke!

2009-01-06T15:19:00.000-08:00

Duke Czeslaw ewa Jerzy presided over the szlachta to determine the fate of Baron Konrad.

Many were in favor of his dismemberment and that of his followers.

Two of the more infamous captains were destined to suffer executions for crimes committed outside of the Baron's service, the Baron was not destined for such treatment.

There were enough of the szlachta to stay the hand of death acting from within their ranks. It was not enough to stop Baron Konrad's death.

From within his own followers came an attack upon the Baron, for which the offender one Wielki Nowicki was executed.

Years later the reason for the vicious attack became clear, the Baron was not going to continue to accept the support of the church in Rome and had his own plan to establish rule in Mieczyslaw. A plan that would see Nowicki and his family punished for thier actions taken on the Baron's behalf during the war. Seeing no way out Nowicki decided to save his family and their name by removing the offending Baron before his schemes could be further acted upon.

While the immediate problem of the civil war was resolved, the healing and continued interference from the church were to see many more lives spent in conflict over the decade to come.

End of the Pretender

2008-12-22T19:58:00.000-08:00

Duke Czeslaw ewa Jerzy pressed his advantage for full effect.

With the Konrad Korpus now broken into smaller parts they were unable to properly protect their cannon.

Within three weeks all the guns and baggage train had been either captured or deliberately sabotaged by the retreating elements of Konrad Korpus.

Winter snows blocked the passage south, Cardinal Dobry had evaded the advance scouts; not so for 'Duke' Konrad.

In a last stand of defiance Konrad stood firm in a river valley. His mercenaries eventually deserted his cause, only a handful of stalwarts from the 30 Years War still stood by him. In the end they were not enough to prevent his capture.

The szlachta convened to determine the fate of the former Baron...

New Ally near the Empire

2008-10-30T11:14:00.000-07:00

CAVENDERIA has elected to take up arms against the Ottomans.

The Khanate of Dobrudshiva, most hated foe of Mieczyslaw has responded and this action has many positive parts for Mieczyslaw.

So the Duke has decreed that a pact of association and potential alliance must be put forward.

Messengers have been sent to the commanders of the troops at Tipplebruder to prepare to march to Cavenderia's aid!

Three Days later...

2008-10-04T19:26:00.000-07:00

Duke Czeslaw ewa Jerzy now had Duke Konrad, the pretender, in full retreat.

After a series of skirmishes along the woodlines drew in more of his line troops, the night was one of total confusion.

Fires were lit to illuminate the situation along the wood line, while continued harrassing attacks broke out from the woods and penetrated into Konrad's camps.

Twice before dawn Konrad was considering withdrawing to a more distant position so that these breakout attacks could not reach his powder stores, as they did on one occasion to the north, setting off a massive explosion.

The whole line became quiet shortly after dawn and Konrad used the break to re-form his lines and mass some cannon so that the next action from the woods would be the last for the Loyalists.

No sooner were these careful preparations made than the word came to Konrad, that the north end of the line was enveloped by 600 horsemen, and that more were pouring out from a defile to the north. His line was going to be rolled up.

His only hope to save the cannon was to retreat immediately.

This was done with great energy, considering the troops had all been fighting more or less the whole night. The cannon were escorted away and many of the more wounded troops were well away towards Flety before the mass of horses caught up with them, by then they were blown and had only 1/2 of the Usurper Konrad's troops taken prisoner to show for their efforts.

For this Duke Jerzy was pleased though, as his own horse was now coming into camp. The woods battle had gone well, next would have to come the final defeat of Konrad Korpus...

A forest battle...at night.

2008-09-28T20:42:00.000-07:00

Duke Konrad was relentless in his push to reach Mieczyslaw.

Hounding the leading units, even after multiple encounters with local militias left many horses maimed by stakes and spikes driven into wooden piles and logs that were buried along the roads.

Ancient caltrops were also scattered around lightly wooded areas that the mysliwi would fire from, charging in the Italian mercenary cavalry would be repeatedly un-horsed from the wounded animals.

These actions served to buy the time needed for the Loyalist forces to re-deploy.

Once Konrad was able to bring up his foot columns then his forward progress could continue.

The Konrad usurpers came to a halt at the great woods north of Mieczyslaw. Their troops were not well suited to striking deep into the woods and cavalry patrols were reporting Loyalist troops massing only 15 kilometers away.

Duke Czeslaw ewa Jerzy had arrived only a few days before with the bulk of the Horse and veteran infantry. The greater weight of cannon was still far behind, indeed Ogólny Ludwik had already diverted most of the heavy guns into Mieczyslaw, so as to prepare the city for repelling a seige.

Duke Czeslaw ewa Jerzy had learned of the diversion and now was set upon drawing the usurper and his forces into battle. To that end he directed all mysliwi to commence harrasing hit-and-fade attacks along the woods line. At the same time all of the light horse had been dispatched to the north for a long, 4-6 days, ride around the wood and to encamp north of the mysliwi force. Once in position they were to inform the mysliwi pickets and wait one more day, then commence an advance on a broad front until contacting Konrad's Korpus.

Duke Czeslaw ewa Jerzy had heard of the light horse's positioning at sunset...therefore the time to strike had come. A night attack should discomfit the pretender and his forces just enough to leave them vulnerable to the coming horse charge!

Grand Mappe Version 7

2008-08-17T20:15:00.000-07:00

A cartographic project has come to completion in Mieczyslaw, Professor Marcin Odlianicki-Poczobut has signed off on his contribution and the Grand Mappe of Urope is now ready for the tiles to be laid on the floor of the Grand Hall of Szlachta.

Battle lines forming

2008-06-28T20:01:00.000-07:00

Duke Konrad's advance scouts have had a number of skirmishes a few leagues from Flety. The woods are fairly filled with Loyalist militias and mysliwi sniping and fouling the roads with all manner of traps and diabolical horse-maiming devices.

This has brought the 'Duke' to a standstill until enough of the cannon has caught up and a fighting spearhead can be formed.

The slow movement and relative location of the Konrad Korpus now makes the work of Duke Czeslaw ewa Jerzy easier, yet also hurried. The newly formed troops must now stand while the moving cavalry arm gets to the battle site.

Map projekt

2008-05-05T21:45:00.000-07:00

Here is version 1 of the new section of The Duchy of Mieczyslaw from my current Empires in Arms mappe edit project for Emperor vs. Elector.

Not all 'imagi'-nations have been added into the new mappe, as I progress slowly with a few minutes here and there into the mappe.

I am also planning to enter as much data as I can from the information about the other 'imagi'-nations flags for use as counters in a Cyberboard game box for future use by EvE narrators etc...

March of Konrad Korpus

2008-05-02T18:38:00.000-07:00

The defeat of the advance forces at Wojslawice left Konrad with two options:

* - try the pass again with the main body, something that would see his forces badly outnumbered by Loyalist horse.

** - move around the flank of the Loyalist forces holding the pass at Wojslawice, retrace part of his march route and march on a different pass.

Konrad, set upon the flank march task, but left a 'covering' force to both mask his line of march and to ensure that the Loyalist horse could not easily pursue his moving force.

Cardinal Dobry had also managed to bring up more mercenary horse from the south...these troops joined the columns and now Konrad could field very nearly equal numbers of foot and horse that were present in the lowlands to the east of the Brass River Valley.

Konrad planned a fast move north this time from the mountains and this time the marshes would not interfere with the advance, since there were more high-roads in the region.

Bitva Wojslawice

2008-04-11T08:36:00.000-07:00

Hitman Czcibor led his forces to the headwaters of the Brass River.

The Konrad Korpus was known to be advancing in this area, Ogólny Ludwik had dispatched his best troops to counter this advance, so as to gain time to finish training the new levvies.

The two forces met near the small town of Wojslawice along the broad road which is little more than a dry flat space along the swampy headwaters.

The Loyalist force centered their foot on the road while the horse was deployed to the right, ready to charge towards any guns deployed by the Absolutists, should they try to defend the road area.

The Absolutists chose to center their deployment on a hillock overlooking the marshy, swampy ground on the north side of the road.

Loyalists stand ready to slowly advance, permitting time for their horse to re-deploy to face the Absolutists forces and to have much needed re-enforcements arrive.

The Absolutists started with their grand ordinnance standing ready to fire, sweeping the area of the wet, marshy ground.
(the gun is from my own collection and matched up well with the troops from Jeff's collection, by Blood Axe minis painted by a gamer known to Jeff)

The early battle moves consisted of gaining position on one another as the two armies had not started 'lined-up'.

During these manuevers, the Absolutists were re-enforced by more foot and ordinnance.

The battle scene around turn 7 while the forces were still positioning...
(this image is a 'panoramic' view and could be rather large, so if you clik it allow a few seconds for the image to load; I also have this image as a self-extracting program that permits you to 'see it' as though you were standing on the table. If you want this image just send me an e-mail and I will forward it to you.)

There were a few more moves (including an amazing turn 5 where the 'turn' ended on the first card 'turned' over!), until the Loyalist horse were in re-deployment, when the two extra squadrons of lancers arrive to re-enforce the massive cavalry rush moving north to the Loyalist left wing...

Only a short while later the rest of the Absolutist forces had arrived, thier extra pistols horsemen. The entire Absolutist line then became more animated, with all three guns coming into action, raking great holes in the Loyalist lines, yet not destroying any units.

The Loyalists formed a pike square to defend their extreme right flank against the marauding Absolutist horse nearby...

Loyalist ordinnace finally started to have an effect when some Absolutist foot were sent running away due to losses to morale.

Then there followed two consecutive periods of extreme activity from both armies (we drew through ALL the cards of the entire deck - with the turn end card at the last for both turns 10 and 11)

Through this time, the Absolutists and Loyalists exchanged fire, though not always with fully loaded volleys.

Then a great rainstorm raged over the valley, cutting off all firelock and cannon fire...sadly the Absolutist commander took no heed of the weather and called for the cannon to fire many times!
(Jeff forgot the event card had been pulled and got very excited when the opportunity to fire artillery came up soon after!)

The Abolutists carried full fire from their three guns, though in the end it was the last shot for one of the guns, as the gun Captain collapsed due to inebriation from overindulgence the night before.
(we had Pete there drawing the cards by this point and he drew the second of three 'event' cards, this one came up "100 bottles of beer on the wall...")

The Loyalists had managed to come out better than their opponents in a couple of fire exchanges (we played using a 'house rule' for Victory Without Quarter that allowed any unit fired upon to return fire) then the Absolutist support cavalry charged into the weakened line. They loyalists fled from the horse, but the pike square held firm.

Then when the Absolutist cause seemed most dire, the entire line was rejuvinated by a series of successful rallies. Including a foot unit that was twice on the verge of collapse, which was now turned about and charging back into the swampy morass determined to break into at least the dry ground of the road.

Just before the Loyalist lines faltered the final re-enforcement arrived, a force of foot with cannon.

Jeff surveys the scene of battle, looking for that opening where victory could be found...

At this point the Loyalist horse on the far left of the line had finally deployed into battle formations. The massed charges had begun.

While in the center a desperate collection of badly wounded men had cobbled together to hold the line long enough for the arriving Loyalist foot to come up...

During the advance of the Absolutists their Ordinance had been left behind to continue to fire from a hillock. However the Loyalist horse was now too close to the Absolutist line to permit the safe firing of the guns.
(gun from the St Valentine's Seige Train by MurdocK, crew from Jeff's collection of Blood Axe minis)

The ragged lines were not restricted to the Loyalist side only, as this formation of Absolutist foot was also reduced and tired from many volleys fired and taken.

The massed charges of the Loyalist horse now took their toll. All of the Absolutist horse was either dead or routed from the field. The Absolutist one main battery was in danger of becoming surrounded by Loyalist horse, given the circumstances the Absolutist command was ordering a withdrawl even as the Loyalist horse were preparing to bear down on them again.

Hitman Czcibor was to be the victory this day, though not without casualties of his own...some that the Loyalist cause could ill afford.

The war was not won that day either, as "Duke" Konrad, enraged with the loss of the advance horse was not willing to surrender his crown so easily. He and the Kardynalny would take the main body of their Korpus via a more easterly pass, deeper into Owijać-Drewna territory and along more covered roads into the north lands above Mieczyslaw, where they would seek a way to strike at Duke Jerzy yet again...

A final 'panoramic' view of the battlefield from behind the Loyalist positions.
(again this view is available as a 'self-extracting' program with zoom and other functions which give a better view of the field in a 'stereoscopic' type of view, simply email me with your request and an email to send the image to and I will get you a copy)

Battle of Wojslawice

2008-04-05T15:42:00.000-07:00

Forces loyal to Duke Jerzy were assembled from the many veteran mercenaries having returned from the 30 Years War.

Baron Konrad pressed on from the Percussion Hills into the headwaters of the Brass River.

A first encounter between the Loyalists and the Absolutists was about to take place at the sleepy cross-road of Wojslawice.

Approaching was the vanguard of the Absolutionist Army, paid for by the Kardinaly.

Baron's (pretender) Royalist (most colorful!) Forces:

Adv Guard Commander = General
Field (that cannot move) Gun

Brigadier with 4 Foot Bn
Italian Bn = Veteran
Galician Bn = Trained
Absolutist Bn = Raw
Owijac-Drewna Bn = Raw

Brigadier with 2 Pistols Horse Troop (this would be the 'bigger' single force troop?) = Raw

then arriving after battle start
One Brigadier Commands:
2 Light (movable) guns
2 Foot Bn
Italian Impressed Bn = Raw
Galician Impressed Bn = Raw
2 Pistols Horse Troop = Trained

Facing these somewhat raw forces were the Veterans of Ogólny Ludwik:

Duke's Forces
Commanding General
Light (movable) Gun

Brigadier : 4 Foot Bn
Mieczyslaw Bn = Veteran
Brass River Bn = Veteran
Duke Jerzy Bn = Trained
Duchess Loyalist Bn = Raw

Horse Brigadier:
Wstrasowo 2 Lancer Horse Troop = Veteran
Trabki 2 Pistols Horse Troop = Trained

arriving:
Brigadier
Light Gun
2 Foot Bn
Bn = Trained
Bn = Raw

Horse Brigadier
Mosiadz 2 Lancer Horse = Veteran

These troops then will do battle on the morrow!

Konrad Korpus

2008-03-19T08:14:00.000-07:00

"Duke" Konrad began his play for power in late March as the fields were dry enough to bring the 'holy cannon' across to reach the banks of the mighty Brass River and its metalled road.

Huzarzy loyal to Duke Jerzy, spread the news that the Konrad Korpus was on the move, leaving the Owijac-Drewna region; the columns of Konrad had reached the good road along the river by the time Duke Jerzy learned of these developments.

Ogólny Ludwik doubted that the infantry levvies were ready to march, however large numbers of Cavalry, much of it armored and some Dragoons were already battle hardened from thier participation in the recent wars in central Urope. This combined with his own Koronet Korpus, now fully recovered with only a few recruits could easily move on this column, possibly halting Konrad in the marshy regions making it difficult for him to perform any flanking actions.

Thus Ogólny Ludwik led out 500 armored horse, 300 Dragoons and 1200 Infantry along with 2 light field pieces. Duke Jerzy was prepared to follow with some 800 more mixed light horsemen, once they had all assembled from their detached search duties, and 1200 more foot troops along with another light field piece and a medium gun.

The head of the Konrad Korpus marching along the road consisted of 300 mixed light horse, 300 Dragoons and 800 or so infantry and a light field piece; under the command of a very steady mercenary commander from Northern Italy, known to be very loyal to the holy see.

Absolutism in Mieczyslaw finds a leader

2008-03-10T22:34:00.000-07:00

Baron Konrad was the leader that Cardinal Dobry found ready and willing to take on the task of open conflict with the young Duke and his aged Ogólny.

While Duke Jerzy cajoled the szlachta into supporting his muster and levvies Ogólny Ludwik made haste with the veterans that had remained loyal to the Duke. Some 6000 men of all arms, though mostly of cavalry were ready to take the field that spring.

Cardinal Dobry had brought 3000 mercenaries from Imperial holdings in the Hertzogh of Burtzenia and a further 4000 men were raised by the efforts of Baron Konrad, most of these forces were foot troops, with a slight advantage in artillery as the cash brought in by the Cardinal had been able to purchase a great number of pieces at reduced value from the disbanding formations of western and central Urope.

Duke Jerzy was unable to get more than two fifths of the szlachta to agree to the levvies and while certainly no more than a single fifth of the szlachta had clearly intentions of supporting Baron Konrad the remaining szlachta were unwilling to enter into what was clearly becoming a civil war...

Victory at Freistadt Tippelbruder

2008-02-15T19:24:00.000-08:00

The Wstrasowo Dragoons and Wojskowo Piechota have participated in a great Allied Force defence of the Freistadt Tippelbruder.

All coffee-rooms and taverns on the west roads along the Percussion Hills have been a buzz with the news of this great victory over the vile Stagonians.

While the riders continue to spread the news and expand upon the effect that the Mieczyslaw forces had you may read of the more detailed account of the battle from the scene at Frankzonia (whom ran the proxy battle).

Слуга Государев

2008-01-23T09:14:00.000-08:00

A very good DUEL

This time from a Russian film from 2007 called:

The Sovereign's Servant

Yet another good film that I shall have to find and see!

Absolutism attempted in 1651

2007-12-31T23:56:00.000-08:00

Ogólny Ludwik, Captain-Gracz, Commander of all Duchy of Mieczyslaw forces was not left idle for long.

The forces of Absolutism found fertile ground in Owijać-Drewna lands and a return of Kardynalny Dobry brought the situation into action in 1651.

Dobry had come from Rome with orders to re-establish his rule, only now he was to bring with him the power and might of the Church and its ideal 'rule' as expressed in France. Absolutism found many supporters with the survivors of the 30 years war whom upon return were fetted, but now two years later had become dissolusioned with the slow progress of Duke Czeslaw ewa Jerzy, the young Duke (25) and the old Ogólny (66) were a good match for one another, for while the Ogólny had served in Bavaria and Paltinate, the Duke had worked with the Dutch and English, their combined talents made assembling the needed counter to the Kardynalny relatively easy.

What was not expected was the sheer size of the war chest Dobry had brought with him from Rome. The Papacy had determined that no further lands were to be surrendered to the forces of either Reformation or Anglican design, since he (the Pope) had learned that the new Duke had been with the heathen Dutch and English it was decided that a statement was needed to stamp out any plans that these forces against Catholic dominance may have.

Kardynalny Dobry had raised a large force of mercenaries from the Holy Imperial Lands and these men now made thier presence known, sending the veteran Duża Firma Mieczyslaw Muszkieterowie and Korona Korpus to flight before their massed arms.

A show-down was now brewing between the Imperial forces and those that could be rapidly assembled by the Duke and his Ogólny

Bitva Grozhof

2007-12-15T21:52:00.000-08:00

Victory for the arms of Mieczyslaw!

Yet another victory was achieved for Mieczyslaw, this time along the Burtzenian frontier.

Skladowy Fabiszak, assigned the task of probing the Burtzenian mountain passes, discovered that a large Burtzenian force was maneuvering with a possible bid to force one pass before winter proper set in, so as to be able to command the action into next spring. Skladowy Fabiszak, had Pulkownik Koronowski and Ugodzic Wojskowski with him to command a small force of infantry and some cavalry.

Fabiszak, chose to hold the elite Trabki Huzarzy and a medium artillery battery into his personal command, and assigned Koronowski the infantry, consisting of Skrzypcowo Piechota, Flety Korpus and Korona Korpus along with a light gun and some mysliwi (skirmishers); Wojskowski was to command Wstrasowo Dragon.

The plan was to hold the town of Grozhof while at the same time driving off the Burtzenians, whom appeared ready to control the nearby bridge crossing of the Grozen river.

Fabiszak led into the area with his infantry, while the Burtzenians rode forward along the other main road at a trotting pace. At the last moments the Burtzenian Dragoons realized that they were in a race with the Flety Korpus! These raw recruits were dashing down the road and only just managed to reach the town before the somewhat overconfident dragoons. These elite horsemen calmly dismounted, and formed to deliver fire before advancing on the town. Meanwhile the second Burtzeniand dragoon force attempted a charge at a slow gallop, many troopers realizing that they were too far away to manage to hit the Skrzypcowo Piechota whom were rushing forward in a column.

The elite dragoons took fire from the town, then tried to return fire, though now their numbers were reduced by half! The other dragoons then completely baulked at charging into the now formed line of Skrzypcowo Piechota. The Skrzypcowo Piechota calmly marched forward then set bayonettes onto fully loaded muskets and waited.

Meanwhile the rest of the armies were arriving, all the Burtzenian infantry moved into a covering position in a massive brigade square in front of the bridge, with the river forming the 4th line of the massive box. Burtzenian high command was also now present and bringing artillery into position on the corners of the square.

Mieczyslaw high command had arrived and sent off artillery to the far left flank. The cavalry was still not arrived by the time the Burtzenian cavalry was spent.

The elite dragoons only fired one more time, as the Flety Korpus managed to scatter the remnants with another lethal series of volleys. At last the other dragoons had found their courage, only now so had Skrzypcowo Piechota; their charge only just reached the infantry lines having taken two-thirds casualties on the way in with a truly leathal first volley from the steady standing Skrzypcowo Piechota. The melee took down the remaining horsemen and sent the survivors scattering into the woods, twice the Burtzenian cavalry brigadier was exposed to fire during the engagement, but he managed to escape unscathed...

Once the Wstrasowo Dragon under Ugodzic Wojskowski had arrived they turned immediately to the right flank and began to climb the hill leading over towards the riverbank. Burtzenian forces were still assembling their great square and did little to counter the next Mieczyslaw moves.

These consisted of issuing new orders for the infantry, to wheel to the left in a great arc, with the right beyond the woods and the left to come about facing the grenadiers in the Burtzenian great square. Along the way also had come the medium battery, which was now swinging off the road and would form the right 'end' of this new line.

The line had just gotten into position when the Burtzenian re-enforcements had arrived, now with a fresh Uhlan force, these troopers were immediately seized upon by the same wild-eyed brigadier that had sent the dragoons to their doom earlier in the day. The Uhlans rode forward to be met by the Mieczyslaw light battery, now loaded with cannister, while running to form line behind them were the Flety Korpus, having evacuated the town and coming out to become the 'support' line behind Skrzypcowo Piechota and Korona Korpus.

These Uhlans fared no better than the dragoons before them, they ended up half their force before they could even complete forming a line to charge! In this shattered condition they refused to charge and permitted the Flety Korpus to form line behind the guns and so totally block any further advance on the Mieczyslaw left flank.

Meanwhile over on the right flank Skladowy Fabiszak was having his own command problems with Ugodzic Wojskowski. The Ugodzic was having trouble understanding the new HOLD orders he was being given, while this was being argued the troopers of Wstrasowo Dragon were creeping forward towards one side of the Burtzenian great square. At least the dragoons were doing a good job of probing the river banks for any potential fording spaces. While the Mysliwi nearby in the woods were performing absolute feats of marksmanship literally executing more than a quarter of the standing infantry force on that side of the great square. Finally Wojskowski halted the Dragon and waited for new orders. Once the fording space had been found the firing orders for the remaining infantry and all artillery batteries were set. That flank side facing the Wstrasowo Dragon was to be the target for all firing while the Wstrasowo Dragon made to cross the river at the ford at once and commence an attack from the other side of the river. Ugodzic Wojskowski miraculously managed to understand and ACT on these orders at once!

This development was too much for the Burtzenian commander, whom quit the field at that moment and ordered the brigadiers to take what action they saw fit.

With little or no cavalry left to command the Cavalry brigadier rode off at once, the Infantry commander did not choose to stay at the bridge and be surrounded and began an immediate withdrawl. The light battery was able to keep up with the infantry, though the battered troops near the flank facing the Wstrasowo Dragon chose to all flee shouting 'jeder Mann für sich selbst!', while the Burtzenian medium battery, having lost two-thirds of the crewers and the limber teams, simply put down their tools and surrendered.

Aftermath:
The mountain passes near Grozhof are now firmly in Mieczyslaw hands and the Burtzenians will make no progress this winter.
Koronowski has been promoted to Ugodzic and those Mysliwi under his command are considered the best quality in all the Duchy.
Skrzypcowo Piechota for their steady action under fire have been awarded veteran status and pay.

Notes:
This was a play-out of Table Top Teaser #3 (Advance-Guard Action) and I was using a mixture of figures, not the ones specific for The Duchy of Mieczyslaw.
We gamed on Bluebear Jeff's table, using his terrain and a mix of our minis, with a guest Burtzenian commander, whom had playtested Jeff's Tricorne Wars rules in their infancy a year or so ago.

SATISFACTION

2007-11-18T13:35:00.000-08:00

Duelling was the ultimate form of final "satisfaction" that a pair of disputing parties may get.

Here is a rather new twist on that ancient form.

Troops for the defence of Tipplebruder

2007-11-07T14:56:00.000-08:00

Forces for the defence of Tipplebruder have long since marched out from Mieczyslaw, fetted by a parade for the elie Wojskowo Piechota after their great victory at Debnica.

Along with the elie Wojskowo Piechota rode the veteran Wstrasowo Dragon, commanded by Hit Man Kasper Ksawerić, to whom has been entrusted the letters of introduction for the file in order to permit their passage to the Tipplebruder lands.

Some have wanted to know of the livery of these troops, so herein is enclosed a diagram of their uniforms.

Bitva u Barva

2007-09-04T22:16:00.000-07:00

While the troops of the Duchy of the North were busy in Saxe-Bearstein holdings, Stinz and Polkfurt forces of the Duchy of Mieczyslaw had invested Norden fortress at Barva.

Reeling from their losses in the south, the Duchy of the North was determined to return Barva to their control.

They launched a seige lasting some 56 days, going as far as the second parallel, when news of a relief column and field forces arrived. Hurredly the North commander Gen. Otto Fasjovik determined to intercept the relief supplies and defend his seigeworks.

Sent by the szlachta was Wiekszy Przewodnik szlachta Wierzchowski, with the task of re-supplying the defences and protecting his convoy were the Wstras Wzgórzowo Huzarzy and Luski Dragon along with the elite Duza Firma Mieczyslaw Muszkieterowie, and the veterans of the Owijac-Drewna Korpus and Wojskowo Piechota. Still invested and covering the postern gate of the fortress were the Wstrasowo Dragon and a raw untested Skrzypcowo Piechota. To command the cavalry was Kierownik szlachta Mosiadzowski and leading the foot and monitoring the waggon trains was Ugodzic Wstrasowski. Two field batteries were also included with a force of Mysliwi to ensure the safe arrival of these vital supplies.

These forces were deployed to the flanks, with the cavalry massed to the north east and lines of infantry near the town, the Duza Firma Mieczyslaw Muszkieterowie had their western flank refused to cover a possible arrival route of the Norden forces.

From the start Wiekszy Przewodnik szlachta Wierzchowski was determined to oversee the battle personally, to this end he also brought out the cavalry Wstrasowo Dragon and the medium field pieces were ordered to be manhandled in any way possible out to the west immediately.

By turn two the Norden forces started to arrive, it was a good thing that the Duza Firma Mieczyslaw Muszkieterowie had 'flank-refused' as it was in this sector that the first action of the Norden Cossacks was to fall...

The cossacks were at once commanded into a headlong charge into the steady ranks of the elite Duza Firma Mieczyslaw Muszkieterowie. Not a single one was to reach them for hand-to-hand though as they were all shot dead --> to a man before the levelled muskets of this elite unit.

On turn 4 the veteran Norden Snow Rangers appeared to the north of the Duza Firma Mieczyslaw Muszkieterowie (location #2) along with their light artillery in train. Even before this gun could unlimber they had taken casualties from the battery attached to the Duza Firma Mieczyslaw Muszkieterowie. This battery was to miss only one time all day!

The following moments saw this arriving battery of Norden gunners try and unlimber and set-up, while doing this they were blasted to smithereens by the lively fire of the north flank battery attached to the Duza Firma Mieczyslaw Muszkieterowie.

Facing the Snow Rangers directly were the Luski Dragon, a new unit of veteran riders, they were to be sorely tested this day...

With only these small forces to call upon, Gen. Otto Fasjovik was saddend to see the Cossacks flee, then commanded that the Snow Rangers press on and force an issue with the Luski Dragon before the Duza Firma Mieczyslaw Muszkieterowie could be commanded to turn again to flank...unfortunately they were still in range of the north battery, which now turned its lethal firepower onto their ranks...raking them several times before they could reach effective musket range of the Luski Dragon.

Upon reaching range, though long, they then delivered a truly lethal blast that put the gunners heads down for a moment, while dropping many of the Luski Dragon horses, sending the unit into momentary confusion.

The Duza Firma Mieczyslaw Muszkieterowie faced another rapid charge from a unit of dragoons called Krooks Crooks, these men did reach sword range as they were blasted by concentrated fire. Though badly mauled by the fire of Duza Firma Mieczyslaw Muszkieterowie, Krooks Crooks did manage to push back the Duza Firma Mieczyslaw Muszkieterowie and followed them up with a continued charge. The second contact was the last for Krooks Crooks as only one small portion (single figure stand) was routed out from the fight.

It was now turn 7 of the battle and more Norden forces had arrived, a trotter force called Torkels Dilemma had appeared on the north ridge over looking the north road into the fort. To the south a raw force called the Tundra battalion had mustered and was slowly advancing on the medium battery that had been pushed out from the fort.

Wierzchowski was in exactly the right place at exactly the right time...at last the Mieczyslaw forces could start to dictate the direction of the battle! At once the Wstrasowo Dragon (from the fort) and Wstras Wzgórzowo Huzarzy were launched into headlong counter-charge of the advancing Torkels Dilemma, the Norden trotters were caught scattered and in single squadrons along the base and slope of the north hill! They were butchered.

Wstras Wzgórzowo Huzarzy tried to catch the last fleeing part of Torkels Dilemma only to come up short due to the blown horses and the slope of the hill...Wstrasowo Dragon was turned about with one last task to accomplish: attack the Tundra battalion from behind!

The final acts in the battle came in the south. While separated from their commanders on the north side of the convoy the elite Norden Snow Leopards were the last to arrive. They marched slowly while sending their attached artillery ahead to the crest of the ridge. This gun was (like its northern counterpart) blown to bits before it could fire off a shot while unlimbering. The rest of the Snow Leopards looked out on this vista ahead of them to the north.

The head of the convoy had reached the Y in the road and the heavy waggons had turned north with the first mule teams turning south.

At long last the Snow Rangers had shot to death and scattered the Luski Dragon, only now there was a Mieczyslaw Brigadier Ugodzic Wstrasowski on hand to command the artillery to swing around and fire in to the flank and rear of the Snow Rangers, who could at last see the convoy...moving steadily out of range!

The Luski Dragon paid the maximum price for their battle honors this day, sacrificing themselves so that the convoy could proceed unhindered and not fired upon by the Snow Rangers.

Final acts were done by Wstrasowo Dragon, racing south around the small wood, they came upon the Norden Tundra battalion, whom had faced withering fire from the fortress guns, then at nearly point blank range begun to fire back at the gunners with musketry...the gunners had died nearly to a man when the Wstrasowo Dragon had come upon them from behind and charged!

Seeing that the convoy would all arrive intact, Gen. Otto Fasjovik broke his seige and boarded ship for the north...leaving the Pomeranian lands to the tender mercies of The Duchy of Mieczyslaw

Koronet Korpus at rest

2007-08-11T07:56:00.000-07:00

Lew Wzgórzowo, Główny m adiutant Pułkownik Koronowski has returned from his journey to the west, he spoke with some of the szlachta, but the exact nature of the trip west and its outcome are unknown.

What is known and has been seen are preparations for the Wojskowo Piechota and parts of the Wstrasowo Dragon, whom are being assembled to march to the defence of Freistadt Tippelbruder. A parade is planned for thier march out from Mieczyslaw on the morrow.

Uropa enflamed.

2007-08-06T16:02:00.000-07:00

1757 Uropa is moving closer and closer to that place where answers may only be found on the field of Mars.

This in response to an open letter written to all potentates of Urope.

This letter was read not long ago in the chambers of the szlachta, with the intent to encourage the current leadership to become involved in movements to the west along the coast of the Baltic. Clearly a place that would involve the Duchy should conflict actually arise, trade to the world would become restricted as the ports of Tragardland and the seas through those narrow channels would become closed to all traffic.

In usual fashion the szlachta were unwilling to make any serious moves, preferring to maintain a watch until events make a 'clearer' picture.

Also in usual fashion, the Korona Korpus are unwilling to let an opportunity pass by.
Lew Wzgórzowo, Główny m adiutant Pułkownik Koronowski has been dispatched to meet with Vovide Max of the Banat of Togaras.

The intent is to discover what the Korona Korpus might be able to do for the Banat, and what 'compensation' might be gotten for those so willing to serve on behalf of the Vovide.

Bitva Debnića

2007-07-16T19:08:00.000-07:00

Victory for the arms of Mieczyslaw outside the Brass River valley.

Again the forces of the North have advanced towards the lands of Mieczyslaw, again led by Count Wrede of the North.

Duzy Uderzyc Klarnowo, still in command of the army of observation in the west again responded, this time the armies came to blows near Debnića. Klarnowo was a bit more cautious and allowed the offending army to cross into Mieczyslaw, until a battle site could be managed due to Wrede having an allied force...those of the Empress and her erstwhile ally Burtzenia! It took some time to confirm the size of the allied force and know of their commander, Brig. Prinz Robert Axe; an aggressive young man of lesser noble birth (at least three other older 'princes' exist in his clan...).

With clouds of skirmishers available the two armies lined up on the field. For some reason (unknown to Klarnowo) the North artillery was not able to make it to the field.

Early on, both armies spent some time digesting the gravity of their positions, permitting Cavalry under Kierownik szlachta Mosiadzowski to form up on the far right of the Mieczyslaw lines.

Inexplicably the North Cavalry rushed headlong into the center of the field, an area swept by all three batteries of guns available to Klarnowo. These guns signalled the start of the action by massacring half of the advancing horse regiments and wounding the other...

The North Dragoons pressed on to their target...Korona Korpus, recently fetted for Saint Argard and now bolstered by two companies of Grenadiers! The dragoons fired their pistols, to no effect. Then charged...

Into the freshly loaded and ready Korona Korpus, whom fired a truly leathal blast from their muskets...killing all of the charging dragoons to a man, taking their colours and capturing Brigadier Torke Fisk after he had fallen from his wounded horse!

Over on the right, two brigades of North Infantry had first to do battle with a heavy dense woods, then more scrub on their way towards clouds of the Janowski Mysliwi, whom were to perform a minor miracle in holding off more than twice their numbers in other skirmishers and 8 times as many formed battalions behind them at the barrier of the woods!

Once breaking out along the right flank the Wojskowo Klusak were again shot to pieces while progressively falling back...all the while holding up the North advance more and more...

Back over on the left wing the Burtzenians made a critical error! Their skirmishers had been shot-up and told to hold off the Mieczyslaw Mysliwi, while the lead formation of infantry turned to the far flank and marched to take command of the nearby hill (the destination of the Burtzenians artillery - as ordered), the rear formation of Burtzenians turn to face the center and marched out in column, presumably to begin forming a wide line formation.

Into this brigade changing formation CHARGED the Mieczyslaw Mysliwi and a column of the Wojskowo Piechota. While the Wojskowo Piechota did not quite reach their target (1/2" out!!!) the Mysliwi were more than up to the task of sending the Burtzenians skirmishers fleeing right through the packed ranks of massed Burtzenians! Then following up that charge directly into the, now turned, flank of the column of infantry that had just turned to the flank and began marching up the hill!

The butchery that this chaos caused was immense, for it took some time to get their infantry back into order, and while the chaos ensued the Burtzenians artillery was forced back off the hill by the Mysliwi and the Wojskowo Piechota had time to form a firing line.

Inexplicably again the Burtzenians chose to charge now.

They did not reach either the Wojskowo Piechota or the Mieczyslaw artillery moving up to begin really lethal point blank firing...

The Wojskowo Piechota did not miss their chance and blasted fully one-third of the charging Burtzenians into oblivion, this action broke the resolve of the Burtzenian Infantry which was now running headlong towards the rear.

The column that had tried to charge, balked and was left in confusion, when the Mieczyslaw artillery now fired a volley of grapeshot and at the same time Korona Korpus advanced and fired at them as well. They lost fully one-quarter of their strength in the single moment, this shattered their morale and also sent them running!

It was at this moment that the Mieczyslaw Cavalry, now massed near the center rear, was unleashed, initially only the Wiesniak Ulans charged, but they were soon followed by Trabki Huzarzy and Mosiadz Cuirassiers under the command of Uderzyc Janowski. Once again the Ulans had something to prove and they did it by facing two volleys from the North medium battery then charged into the battery slaughtering the gunners to a man and pressing onwards, very nearly reaching the flank of Wrede's escourting cavalry force!

In a moment the battle had deteriorated into a re-enactment of Austerlitz, with the North infantry bogged down on the right, now finally having eliminated the Mieczyslaw Janowski Mysliwi, whom had held them off for better than half of the battle! In the center of the North lines there was only Mieczyslaw cavalry, with two untouched formations just preparing to hit the flank and rear of the far end of the North Infantry (Pete's newly finished unit - just before it was blasted to bits by Zaklad Wstrasowo Muszkieterowie and Mieczyslaw artillery).

Amazingly Ugodzic Wojskowski decided that now was the time to start the withdrawl! He interpreted his orders in an unexpected, yet beneficial way. All day he steadfastly refused to budge from the HOLD order he started with, then at the moment of testing from the North infantry, he chose to start a withdrawl, an action that in most situations would be insane, yet here it was of some benefit as now there would be more room to let the cavalry race through and there would be an incentive for the North infantry to continue to press their attack and leave their rear entirely unprotected from the advancing Trabki Huzarzy and Mosiadz Cuirassiers.

The final acts on the left were an amazing feat of leadership, where three battalions of infantry on the verge of total collapse and flight from the field were man-handled back into a ragged semblance of a line(Pete rolled three '1's in a row!)...enough of a line to stagger the Veterans of Korona Korpus and soon to be Veteran Wojskowo Piechota, as both refused to charge into the battered Burtzenians! (I rolled two '6's in a row)

Withdrawing in some confusion from the field Wrede would have to lick his wounds and re-think his tactics.

Prinz Robert Axe of Burtzenia would report back to the courts of the Empress that the arms of the Duchy of the North are not as well prepared as previously suspected and that now Mieczyslaw knew that Burtzenia had become a foe again!

Feted on the field with new battle honours were the command of Pulkownik Koronowski: Korona Korpus and Wojskowo Piechota along with the amazing, though badly wounded Janowski Mysliwi!

Battle Honors

2007-07-01T23:45:00.000-07:00

New Battle Honors are awarded to:

Duża Firma Mieczyslaw Muszkieterowie
Zakład Wstrąsowo Muszkieterowie
Korona Korpus

For the first Battle of Saint Argard.

If field reports are to be believed, the Zakład Wstrąsowo Muszkieterowie have also been upgraded to Elite status!

Bitva St. Argard

2007-07-01T21:47:00.001-07:00

Victory for the arms of Mieczyslaw in Norden Pomerania.

An army of Duchy of the North troops led by Count Major General Sturri Pal Wrede advanced towards The Duchy of Mieczyslaw, assembling and moving with the intent to carry the fight into the Brass River Valley.

Duzy Uderzyc Klarnowo responded with the western army of observation and met the North forces in the region of Saint Argard.

Klarnowo, aggresive by nature, deployed out the forward infantry under Ugodzić Wojskowski, with orders to hold or delay any approaching force. To his far right went Kierownik szlachta Mosiądzowski with a collection of raw cavalry. The center left was the Koronet Korpus and elite Muszkieterowie under Pułkownik Koronowski. The far left and hammer-blow force of cavalry was under the able command of Uderzyć Janowski.

Wrede seemed to have difficulty in making decisions right from the outset of the battle. His infantry formations were all pushed together in his center left and the available cavalry was all concentrated on the right and center right.

The early portion of the battle also saw Wrede left with no room to maneuver in his escorting cavalry force and the medium battery that he had available. Also, for some inexplicable reason the infantry force in the center was determined to probe constantly with masses of skirmishing infantry, effectively blocking his active medium and light batteries - to the constant delight of the Mieczyslaw formations.

After a short pause, for orders interpretations, the Koronet Korpus and elite Muszkieterowie under Pułkownik Koronowski began a rapid advance, they were met by Dragoons and Trotters (including an elite formation under Brig. Halvar Odegarvik).

The real fighting was there between the infantry of Pułkownik Koronowski, and four formations of North Cavalry. By turn 4 two of them were gone and the Mieczyslaw horse was on the loose, threatening to encircle the entire right wing of the North troops. On turn 5 Odegarvik threw in his last elite cavalry force and watched them vanish in clouds of musket powder smoke, now surrounded by skirmishers on two sides, with the Elite: Duża Firma Mieczyslaw Muszkieterowie to his front and Elite: Mosiądz Huzarzy sweeping in to close him entirely in a ring of Mieczyslaw arms he wisely accepted the offer from Pułkownik Koronowski to surrender.

This action was not lost on Wrede, whom also accepted the offer of amnesty and the general withdrawl was on. Only the Wieśniak Ułan had something to prove and they did so by totally massacring the clouds of skirmishing infantry that had so ably blocked thier own artillery for most of the day.

Sadly for the arms of the Duchy of the North this formation of escourting heavy horse and a medium gun, they were unable to find their way onto the battlefield until the general withdrawl was in progress...

New Uniform's Display

2007-06-29T14:23:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to David Morfitt's Not By Appointment for the original templates of these Seven Years War uniforms.

Here are the six premiere formations of the Duchy of Mieczyslaw.

Army Order of Battle for ~ 1700

2007-06-29T09:42:00.000-07:00

There have been many calls for details about the Duchy of Mieczyslaw, order of battle circa 1700~1704.

Details are sketchy about the early period as the records were poorly kept over the 1697-1701 time frame.

However, the following has been found:

Generals:
Ogólny szlachta Dulka, senior command
Składowy Fabiszak
Większy Przewodnik szlachta Wierzchowski
Duży Uderzyć Klarnowo

Brigadiers:
Ugodzić Wstrąsowski
Zespót Popiolczak
Kierownik szlachta Mosiądzowski
Pułkownik Koronowski
Uderzyć Janowski
Ugodzić Wojskowski

Army Formations:

Infantry:
Elite: Duża Firma Mieczyslaw Muszkieterowie
Veteran: Korona Korpus
Veteran: Zakład Wstrąsowo Muszkieterowie
Veteran: Mosiądz Zespół Piechota
Veteran: Owijać-Drewna Korpus
Raw: Wojskowo Piechota

There were also a number of myśliwi (hunter/skirmisher) formations.

Cavalry:
Elite: Mosiądz Huzarzy
Elite: Trąbki Huzarzy
Veteran: Mosiądz Cuirassiers
Veteran: Wstrąsowo Dragon
Raw: Wojskowo Kłusak
Raw: Wieśniak Ułan

Aggressor states in the region of the Duchy of Mieczyslaw

2007-05-27T10:35:00.000-07:00

The Duchy of Altmorania lies to the west of The Duchy of Mieczyslaw, they are an aggressor state towards Mieczyslaw since the time of the 30 years war and the impressing of so many men that the Cardinal Dobry had left behind once his commanders had departed the field with their bounties.

The Principality of Boyardvina lies to the east of The Duchy of Mieczyslaw, these are territories once claimed by Mieczyslaw but now forefit with the expansion of the Russian Empire westwards. There were connections to the Russians for a time, before the multiple sackings of Moscow ... now matters are difficult between the rulers of the lands, less so for the peoples of the land.

The Hertzogh of Burtzenia lies to the south west of The Duchy of Mieczyslaw, these lands are part of the 'Holy Roman Empire' through the Emperor/Empress in Vienna. Not technically an enemy of Mieczyslaw, and definately not an ally, except when pressured from;

The Khanate of Dobrudshiva which lies to the south and south east of The Duchy of Mieczyslaw. This is the last remaining part of the "Golden Horde's" lands, given the past between Mieczyslaw and the Zolotaya Orda these lands are definately an aggressor state. Though known as part of the Zolotaya Orda, these lands are more correctly placed in part of the Ottoman Empire. Not that many in Mieczyslaw would bother to notice when the Dobrudshiva raiders come across the Percussion Hills in another of an endless series of raids ...

Whispers of War?

2007-05-19T09:48:00.000-07:00

News of growing conflict in central Germany has reached the frontiers of Mieczyslaw.

Empress' banners seen in Hesse-Homburg.

The reports of an army marching flying the colors of the Empress has been at the top of discussions in every drawing room and ballroom of the spring.

Hunting parties are reporting lower numbers of members as many young men are drawn to the towns to either muster or learn of the details of these rumors.

The szlachta have not issued any formal comment, however an Army of Observation has been assembling in the Percussion Hills, clearly preparation steps are being taken and the parade of arms earlier this year has quieted fears of many that the Duchy is not at least prepared for the warclouds on the western horizons...

The szlachta Diet of 1649

2007-05-06T13:29:00.000-07:00

Baron Konrad felt that he had the upper hand with his declaration, signatures from the Owijać-Drewna szlachta and his show of force with his battalion of veterans.

Formal points of order and a number of balls were held to fete the end of the Thirty Years War. In combination they made the needed delay to keep the final declaration of a call to vote for the new Duke put off until July 1649, when the Coronet Korps was within 2 days march of their homes in Coronet.

Pułkownik Ludwik, made a grand entrance into a ball the night before the Diet was to vote on the Duke, he was formally named to the szlachta, agreed to even by Konrad whom was equally aware of the exploits of the Coronet Korps. Ludwik was to participate in the vote the next day.

Unknown to Konrad was the proximity of Coronet Korps (they were in-fact only 4 hours away!).

The other szlachta agreed that the show of force and unilateral declarations of Konrad were wrong. That a balace was needed, Pułkownik Ludwik, politely pointed out that he wanted no part of the politics, that he wished only to see prosperity return to all of Mieczyslaw. To that end he would not enter the hall in Coronet so long as a the question of the Duke remained unanswered, that he would lead the Coronet Korps into the town to provide a balance to Konrad's veterans and ensure that a peaceful transition to power was accorded to whomever the Diet selected as the new Duke.

Konrad was aghast when he heard the massed drum-beat of the Coronet Korps as they entered the town to the cheers of thier fellows! It was a morning of much excitment as the szlachta assembled in the great Hall. Konrad arrived with his escort, much less assured of his coronation that he was only weeks before.

Once the hall re-opened, it was not Konrad whom had been selected as Duke, Konrad was the fourth szlachta to leave the hall and he was to leave the town before nightfall, none would say why Konrad left so quickly, only that he was honor-bound to take that action. Few of his veterans left with him as the celebrations and balls continued all summer long.

The new Duke of Mieczyslaw Czeslaw ewa Jerzy formerly a minor noble, whom had developed ties to the English court and Hanoverian noble families during his service in the Netherlands. Being only 23 years old he was the youngest elected Duke to date. His election was yet to be confirmed by other noble houses, but the support of the szlachta that had met in Bavaria assured that Maximilian I would support the new ruler of Mieczyslaw.

The "provisional" Diet of 1649

2007-05-06T13:08:00.000-07:00

Baron Konrad Owijać-Drewna had learned of the 'mission' of the few szlachta; that they had met other szlachta in Bavaria and that Maximilian I had made some agreements with them.

Konrad did not know that the Coronet Korps was marching to Mieczyslaw, nor was he aware that Pułkownik Ludwik had been nominated to the szlachta.

Without waiting for more information in February of 1649, Konrad managed to convince enough of the other szlachta to form a Diet at once and select the new Duke.

The process to assembly was taking longer than Konrad wanted ... or had to spare, now that the other szlachta were returning from their actions across Europe.

The Thirty years war veterans and szlachta were coming home, in large numbers, Baron Konrad was unable to muster enough of the szlachta present to name him Duke, so he took matters into his own hands and proclaimed himself Duke of Mieczyslaw. He did this from the support he mustered in ousting Cardinal Dobry from his post as 'place-holder' of the Duchy. Some of the local szlachta supported him, most of the ex-patriot szlachta did not, a storm was brewing.

The few szlachta that had gone to Bavaria had only just returned and heard of Konrad's grab for power, aware that Konrad did not have many mercenary companies left at his command and knowing that the other szlachta would not support him they pressed for a formal Diet to confirm the new 'Duke'. Other returning szlachta were also now informed of the pending arrival of the Coronet Korps, and their commander Pułkownik Ludwik; as well as the connections forged with Bavarian Prince Elector Maximilian I.

Konrad could not refuse such a formal call, nor the very pleasant summons that was directed his way. He was still wary of the other szlachta and brought a battalion of his mercenary veterans with him to the agreed meeting place, the great hall of Coronet!

Osnabrück

2007-04-17T14:37:00.000-07:00

Pułkownik Ludwik and the Coronet Korps, were on detached duty at the Peace Conferences in Osnabrück. It took the few szlachta weeks to locate Ludwik and present their letter of introduction from Count Gerkik.

It was discovered during this time in Osnabrück, that many of the other szlachta were either in the region or very nearby, stemming from their connection to the 30 years war conclusions. While in no way could a formal Diet be called in the foreign lands of Bavaria, Elector Maxmilian I was willing to oversee an informal discussion relating to the selection of a future Duke and to confirm the expulsion of Cardinal Dobry, forbidding his return under pain of punishment to be meted out by the Bavarian ruler.

Upon the conclusion of the peace, in 1648 the Coronet Korps was released from all dutied and fetted as many were in Bavaria.

Pułkownik Ludwik had accepted his szlachta appointment and agreed to lead the Coronet Korps back to Mieczyslaw.

Ahead of the Coronet Korps columns the szlachta, less Ludwik had pressed on into the Duchy of Mieczyslaw. Their aim was both to form a Diet and to announce the pending arrival of the Coronet Korps.

The Peace of Westphalia

2007-04-13T17:40:00.000-07:00

Cardinal Dobry was forced to leave the Duchy in 1645 as the 30 Years War came to an end and many of the szlachta returned from foreign service.

The pressure to form a Diet became heightened as the final terms of the end of the Habsburg Family Conflict became more widely known.

Ducal forces in Hither Pomerania deserted en-masse from the Brandenburg electors whom has impressed them into service as continued garrison forces.

It was with a sense of general confusion and disorder that many of the szlachta called for an immdediate Diet, even though not all szlachta had returned to the Duchy.

Secretly a few szlachta had traveled to meet with Count Gerkik, with the intent of imploring him to return to Mieczyslaw in order to lend his name and prestige to the Diet and possibly be nominated as Duke.

Count Gerkik, refused the invitation, sending on the few szlachta into Bavaria, to meet with Pułkownik Ludwik and the Coronet Korps.

Kardynalny

2007-04-13T17:23:00.000-07:00

Cardinal Dobry of Coronet did not remain inactive, as part of the Catholic counter-reformation Cardinal Dobry mustered the Duchy arms in support of futher military actions first in Courland, in 1633.

Later, in 1641, these forces were marched across former lands of the Teutonic Order, with many Bishoprics laying claim to the treasures and obtaining oaths from the local nobility.

The destination of the Ducal army was garrisons in Pomerania, in support of the Imperial Circle of Lower Saxony in keeping out the influences of the Reformation and Christian of Denmark.

Though the Ducal officers did execute their required duties there was much to question of the Cardinal and the lack of a call for a szlachta Diet ...

Mieczyslaw arms on parade

2007-04-02T00:33:00.000-07:00

Given that the time for mustering the troops had finally come this spring, the Ducal artisans were encouraged to interpret the formations.

Here are the results:

Cavalry Forces of Mieczyslaw; 14 Squadrons: 3 Trotters, 4 Dragoons, 3 Hussards and 4 Irregular militia.

Infantry Forces of Mieczyslaw; 32 Infantry Companies: Organized into 6 Battalions in 2 Brigades.

The Grand Review.

For those interested I have assembled a power-point presentation of these troops in a marchpast, but as the file is rather large you should post to me your return email address and I will forward it.

More Flags

2007-04-01T21:27:00.000-07:00

Here are seen some more flags of the Duchy of Mieczyslaw.

This flag pattern is the closest to a 'national' flag to be seen so far. All commanders with fealty to the Duke fly some version of this flag.

These are all infantry formation flags, as there are no flags for the cavalry.

This is a pattern of flag for a particular member of the szlachta Diet(knights council).

Flag of the Coronet Korps

2007-03-30T13:31:00.000-07:00

This flag is the first version of the Coronet Korps, a largely mercenary unit from the Duchy of Mieczyslaw, that first saw service in the Thirty Years War.

Kalmar War

2007-03-30T11:31:00.000-07:00

This struggle had begun the year before Duke Stefanik of Mieczyslaw had been elected in the 1612 szlachta Diet.

Stefanik was hard pressed to remain neutral between the great powers of Sigismund III Vasa (now also King of Sweden), MOSCOW, the remnants of the Zolotaya Orda were still active in the south, and the Habsburg Family conflict (30 Years War) placing the Duke in the impossible position of having to present some sort of support to many sides of different wars.

Mercenaries were able to satisfy the League's demands, MOSCOW was again pressured by northern enemies, and once again Mieczyslaw, stood aside as those forces mustered across their lands. The pressures to remain neutral could not be overcome as Sigismund III Vasa was able to call-up the entire Ducal armies during the expansion of the Kalmar War.

The Danes were overcome and their tenuous policy of union failed, after 1617 the wars resumed and the conquest of Livonia saw the Russians loose all access to the Baltic in 1629.

In 1630, upon return from a trip to meet with other Germanic Electors, Duke Stefanik died suddenly. The continuing foreign conflicts (30 Years War) saw that many of the szlachta nobility were away from Mieczyslaw. No Diet could be called immediately to satisfy the replacement of the Duke.

In his place Bishop Dobry of Coronet had been named Cardinal and before travelling to ROME he chose to remain in a role of 'regent' until the szlachta Diet could be formed.

The Thirty Years' War

2007-03-13T21:53:00.000-07:00

Duke Stefanik of Mieczyslaw did not directly involve the Duchy of Mieczyslaw in any of the struggles of the Habsburg Family Conflict. The same cannot be said of many of the families within the Duchy of Mieczyslaw, nor of those adventurers whom chose to raise mercenary companies and 'join the fray'!

One such mercenary commander was Count Gerkik of Coronet, whom marched with the Army of the League under Tilly and was victorious at the Battle of the White Mountain in 1620. By the conclusion of Tilly's campaigns in Heidelburg, Westphalia and Lower Saxony Count Gerkik and the Coronet Korps had become battle-hardened veterans, with many newer drafts coming in from Bohemia, and Saxony. In recognition for these efforts Gerkik was awarded many lands confiscated from Bohemian nobility.

In 1627 another Mieczyslaw mercenary force was assembled by Baron Konrad Owijać-Drewna (of the Windy Woods). These troops were attached to Wallenstein by financial and territorial agreements by the Generalissimo of the Baltic and the Ocean Seas.

Baron Konrad's fortunes did not fare so well, for after the Peace of Lubeck and the Edict of Restitution, Wallenstein was forcibly removed by the Habsburg Princes and all the agreements that the Baron was counting on to enrich his line and secure a place in Mieczyslaw ducal fortunes were erased. The Baron returned a broken man and Owijać-Drewna land were poorer for the loss of so many brave men in the Netherlands.

Count Gerkik of Coronet meanwhile had lost the connection with Tilly, due mostly to the lack of pay for his mercenaries (though the confiscated lands did maintain the Count quite well), Gerkik transferred his flag to the League of Heilbronn, becoming active in field operations again in 1633.

Along with the League under the command of Bernhard of Weimar, Count Gerkik and the Coronet Korps faught for German liberty and the satisfaction of Sweden conquering the Upper Palatinate and Bavaria to the Danube. The Coronet Korps was now taking on a very German character with less than 10% of the troops having remained from the original soldiery that left from the Duchy of Mieczyslaw in 1619. Count Gerkik laid down the command of the Korps and retired to his lands in Bohemia. A new commander, Pułkownik Ludwik, risen from the ranks of those Mieczyslaw veterans took the mantle of command for the Coronet Korps and continued their mercenary connection to the League of Heilbronn until the Peace of Prague in 1635.

Bavarian Prince Elector Maximilian I

Pułkownik Ludwik and the Coronet Korps changed alleigance for the final time in 1636 by tranfer of thier flag to the Bavarian Prince Elector Maximilian I.

Pułkownik Ludwik and the Coronet Korps faught bravely throughout the resumption of the war during the Freanco-Swedish phase, leading to their participation in the battle of Tuttlingen under General Mercy in 1643.

The final action of the Coronet Korps came at Alerheim in 1645 during the pincer attack that ended the war. The Korps was disbanded in 1646, though many of the men and officers continued to support Bavarian Prince Elector Maximilian I. These supports were rewarded in 1648 following the Peace of Westphalia, which saw Bavaria retain the important Upper Palatinate and status as an elector.

The Duchy was rewarded with closer ties to the Holy-Roman Empire again and influence of that court through Bavaria and its elector.

For his part Pułkownik Ludwik was promoted Ogólny and named as Captain-Gracz, Commander of all Duchy of Mieczyslaw forces upon his return to Mieczyslaw!

Smuta

2007-03-03T15:34:00.000-08:00

In 1582 Ivan IV died, leaving a distraught Empire.

During the power struggles over the succession, the boyar Boris Godunov became regent.

Duke Jedrek of Mieczyslaw rejected his selection and advised the other members of the Assembly of the Empire to reconsider the choice.

Duke Jedrek was sadly confirmed in his opinon of regent Boris as in 1591 the Tsar's son Demetrius was murdered.

Between 1598 and 1605 Boris Godunov became elected Tsar, Duke Jedrek of Mieczyslaw, withdrew from the Assembly of the Empire over this selection and was bullied by those in Moscow, saying that he and his lands would pay for their traitorous attitude.

Boris Godunov was de-throned by another invasion and investiture of Moscow by Polish troops; this time Duke Jedrek of Mieczyslaw was not connected to the invasion directly, but rather supported the move to oust the evil regent/Tsar by means of supplies and turning a blind eye to those young men whom did join the columns moving east across the boundaries of Ducal lands.

1609 Treaty of Vyborg. This sparked further conflicts over the Russian Throne, now also claimed by Polish interests. Duke Jedrek of Mieczyslaw attempted to keep the Duchy out of the negotiations, however his illness and death in 1611, predisposed The Duchy of Mieczyslaw to fall under the Polish influences as they held on to many lands out to Smolensk.

In 1612, the same year as an Assembly of the Empire selected Michael as the new Tsar, Baron Stefanik was named as the new Duke of Mieczyslaw by the szlachta Diet of Mieczyslaw. This was confirmed in Warsaw by Sigismund III Vasa and accepted by The League of Augsburg and MOSCOW.

Zemshtshina

2007-03-03T14:40:00.000-08:00

Ivan IV ascended to the throne in 1547, the realm including parts of The Duchy of Mieczyslaw descended into anarchy in in 1565 with a partition of the Empire into territories controlled by the Tsar and of the Boyars.

The Boyars power was broken by dispossesion, deportations and the redistribution of land to the Dvoryane (a new class of warriors), the entire Empire was thus exposed to awesome terror : liquidations, elimination of whole cities (1570 Novgorod), decline of agriculture, mass flight of peasants despite a decree tying them to the soil.

The Count of Mieczyslaw, appealed to ROME, without response. His reaction was to organize with many lands west of Mieczyslaw and join in a force that was to reach the Kremlin (castle) of Ivan IV in Moscow.

In 1571 Moscow was seized and burned, though no Mieczyslaw men were involved, having been dispatched to supply duties weeks before the final investiture of the city.

A Diet of the szlachta was called again in 1580, no new Count was named, but the position was elevated to Ducal status with letters from the Holy Roman Emperor.

The first Duke of Mieczyslaw, was the former Count: Jedrek.

Joining of Russian Lands

2007-01-28T02:03:00.000-08:00

Ivan III the Great laid claim to parts of the territory of The Duchy of Mieczyslaw, however he was unable to enforce the claims, as he was still forcing back the Khanates to the south of Muscovy.

In these actions men were needed, and with the declaration of Moscow as the 3rd ROME, many of the ancient family houses of Mieczyslaw felt threatened that their claims and titles would be superceeded by this contender to ROME.

Delegations were sent to both ROME and Moscow, with the intent to prove the rightful claims over the lands and establish the overlordship, before either Moscow pushed new claims against them or the Teutonic Knights declared their desire to control them.

In 1502 the Muscovy attacked Livonia and the push for recognition from ROME was made again, this time the ancient documents were accepted and a new Bishop of Mieczyslaw was named. With this declaration the szlachta (knights) attempted to hold a Diet (Parliament).

Their attmpts to organize a Diet were not successful until 1534, where after Ivan III had died and Ivan IV, while still a child and the Russian hold over the szlachta had become disorganized, had not decreed any actions to be taken in regards to Mieczyslaw.

A Count was finally decided upon and recognized in both Moscow and Rome.

Zolotaya Orda

2007-01-14T23:25:00.000-08:00

In 1241 The Kipchak Khanate, or Golden Hordes began invasions.

Led by Batu Khan and Subuta, his ruthless general, these Mongol hordes swept across the Duchy with blazing speed.

Prior to this some men had answered the calls of the Order of the Bretheren of the Sword (later to be known as Teutonic Knights). In an attempt to stop Zolotaya Orda before the sack of Kiev in 1239.

Because of the forewarning, Mieczyslaw, did not resist Batu Khan and so, like Smolensk was spared the terrible scourge of the Mongol vengance, such as at Kozelsk. Batu Khan seemed content to ignore Mieczyslaw, so long as tribute was paid, so the otherwise defenceless city paid the tribute.

Further invasions swept across Ducal lands in 1259 and 1287, however effective rule was only thru Zolotaya Orda favor until 1481, when after the Great stand on the Ugra river, Zolotaya Orda was defeated and forever gone from The Duchy of Mieczyslaw.

With the victory over the Golden Horde Ivan III declared himself Tsar of all the Russias, of which at least parts of The Duchy of Mieczyslaw were included.

The Reformation

2007-01-14T22:31:00.000-08:00

With the reform Papacy and the dictatus Papae extending the proclamation of the Pax Dei many, seeking to escape the expanding horrors of The Investiture Struggle fled to the north and east, out of the Holy Roman Empire and beyond (they thought) the arm of the Church.

With the loosening of the dependence on the Emperor leading to the disappearance of the Ottonian Imperial Church, the Bishops were transformed from Imperial Officials into Imperial Vassals, leading to greater strength to the Princes of Northern Italy and Central Europe.

To the east, Archbishop Henry Kietlicz of Gnesen assured ecclesiastical liberty through canonical election of Bishops in most Duchies.

It was here in the east, that The Duchy of Mieczyslaw obtained its first charter in 1207 AD.

Named for the principal city Mieczyslaw, which in turn was named for the first 'Hetman' family Mieczyslaw.