Sunday, May 27, 2007

Aggressor states in the region of the Duchy of Mieczyslaw

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 ...

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Whispers of War?

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...

Sunday, May 6, 2007

The szlachta Diet of 1649

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

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!