THE RELIEF OF FERRARA

Saturday November 4th dawned and we assembled at Broughton for our next "push of the envelope" operational game.  Not enough of us were available to do the desert encounter battle, so instead we made the most of the opportunity to have a go at transporting an earlier period to the operational format.  The Renaissance seemed the easiest period to attempt, and if successful, we would have a new mini-campaign system for our other pre-20th century periods.  I have to say, I think it played very well!

The original proviso was that the Duke of Ferrara, a close ally of the Pope (as played in our epic Renaissance campaign of nearly two years ago) is besieged by his aggressive neighbour, Venice.  Keen to aid his ally, the Pope has despatched an army of relief to save the city of Ferrara, and if possible, defeat the army of Venice - see previous post for the rules.

Jon, who had played the Pope in the previous campaign, assumed command of the Papal forces assisted by Russ, and likewise, Mark took charge of the Venetians with the help of Frank.

The initial plans for both sides were very well thought out, and I think for a first foray into a new period, very bold.  I do think familiarity with the tables has sped up decision making and generalship.

The Papal plan was to march quickly to the aid of Ferrara along 1D and 2D and assemble outside the walls of the city on 3B.  This would allow the army to operate with supplies from the city or attack the Venetian siege lines on 3A by marching through the city.  The Duke of Ferrara had a strong garrison that was largely poised along the walls of 3A to either pin the besieging Venetian force or sally out in support of the main Papal force.

The Duke of Ferrara, aware that a Papal army of relief is approaching , lines the ramparts of his city in readiness for a sortie against the Venetian siege lines.

The Venetians were aware of the strong garrison and had deployed a powerful force of artillery and infantry within the siege works.  However, the bulk of their army was deployed on 2B, well placed to assist the besiegers on 3A, defend against a Papal attack that would have to deploy piece meal through the difficult ground on 2C, or counter any Papal thrust along 1A and 2A.  Mark boldly detached his C in C with all his light cavalry to act as a trigger on 1B as he felt the most likely Papal attack would be along the "A" tables.  As an insurance he placed a small garrison in the fort on 1C and another detachment dug in at the bridge on 2B.  A dummy base was placed on 2C.

The Papal army was strong in Condottieri and Retainers and Russ commanded the Swiss Pike (which was of no surprise at all to Mark and Frank!).  Anticipating this, the Venetians had hired Landsknechts - 6 units! - which they hoped would lure the Swiss onto superior numbers or into poor tactical situations.

The Papal plan rolled out over the first few turns whilst the Venetians looked on and tried to gauge the main thrust of the attack.  Pleased that he had got his army unmolested to 3B, Jon quickly despatched Russ and his Swiss through Ferrara with attack orders against the Venetian baggage - no dithering there as an unbelievable swathe of sixes enabled easy passage and plenty of movement!

Swiss Pike arrive on 3A with orders to attack the Venetian baggage.

Meanwhile Mark moved his C in C from 1B to 1D to look as threatening as possible in conjunction with his dummy board on 2C as he still believed the most likely avenue of attack would be via 2C.  Unfortunately, he was insistent on referring to this board as "my C in C" and Jon, sensing an opportunity to cause chaos in the Venetian command and control despatched his heavy cavalry to engage this, as yet, undisclosed movement board.

Mark's light cavalry on the right turn tail and run as the Papal host romps onto 1C.

Mark only just managed to extricate his command from this powerful attack, literally keeping one move ahead of the Papal men at arms.  The garrison on 1C, shooting from the fort's ramparts vainly attempted to slow Jon's cavalry down but the speed of Mark's light horse saved him from annihilation.

Meanwhile, the Swiss with the close support of the Duke's garrison is attacking the Venetian siege lines.  Raked by Venetian light guns they ignore their casualties and storm into the defences.  The Venetian front line buckles and a battery of artillery routes but Mark has a second line which counter attacks and pushes the Swiss back.

Aware that the main Papal attack is on 3A, Mark has made it back to his main force on 2B and orders Frank with the majority of the Landsknechts to move to 3A.  I think that this is one of the pivotal decisions of the game; intending to keep his options open, Frank is ordered to the hill on 3A rather than attack the Swiss.  Does this allow a considered attack against the flank of the emerging Papal army or does it incur further delay whilst the Venetian C in C is busy elsewhere? - we will see.

Jon's uncommitted C in C languishes outside the walls of Ferrara on 3B as a rut of 1's and 2's prevents him changing his orders.

At the same time, Mark has ordered his dummy board on 2C to take 2D, cut off the aggressive Papal cavalry and look threatening against the Papal C in C on 3B.  With the success of the Venetian infantry against the Swiss Pike it looks like the battle has swung back to Mark and Frank.

Russ' Swiss are held and even pushed back across the siege lines.  Frank's force of Landsknechts with supports has arrived at the hill on 3A.

However, the Swiss setback is temporary, and Russ reorganised his veteran units to renew the assault, with one pike block punching through a crossbow unit and into the Venetian baggage.  Frank's Landsknechts arrive on 3A but with orders to hold the hill they are unable to intervene against the vulnerable Swiss flanks.  The Duke detaches mounted crossbow to harry this new threat and delay the Germans from intervening.

Frank's troops hover on the flanks but the Swiss are already looting the baggage  and the remaining Venetian foot are struggling to contain the onslaught.

Whist the battle develops on 3A, Jon (after 5 turns of failing to change his own orders) has managed to move his C in C through 2C, opening up supply lines and communication with his cavalry on 1B, and has emerged from the close terrain to hit Mark's C in C in the flank on 2B.  Mark struggles to extricate his command whilst sending the necessary orders to Frank to attack the Swiss.

Another shot of Frank's troops moving to the attack as the Duke of Ferrara and one Swiss  Pike  block  turn to face this new threat.

The Venetian light cavalry is no match for the armoured Papal horse and casualties begin to mount threatening to force the C in C's command on hold.  The Venetian foot on 3A have reached 50% casualties and have already dropped the aggression level of the Venetian army.  To emphasise the Swiss ascendancy, the Venetian sub-commander has met an heroic death attempting to stem the surge of pike.  Frank's Landsknecht's struggle to effectively intervene against the Swiss and the Papal heavy cavalry have succeeded in accepting new orders to take 1A and then charge down 2A into the exposed Venetian baggage as the bridge guard on 2A has been withdrawn to help in the entrenchments.

The small but effective Papal command base (on the right) arrives on 2B

The next turn, it's two heavy cavalry units smash into the Venetian light horse.  The movement board is a powerful force of Venetian foot and cavalry but Mark's C in C is too busy to send it orders.

The Papal cavalry has now crossed the river on 2A and is poised to take the undefended baggage on 3A.

After 21 turns the battle came to a close with a 11 to 7 victory for the Pope and Venetian army morale faltering.  It must be admitted that Russ and Jon rolled a lot of 6's which meant movement and orders were swift.  There was one notable exception when Jon struggled to order his C in C to attack 2B and the heavy cavalry were in danger of romping after Mark's C in C and onto the prepared positions of the main Venetian force.  However, on the whole the Papal orders were simple and direct and I think the Swiss and the Duke Ferrara required only one order change each for the whole battle.

Venetian dispositions were good and the initial plan sound.  Detaching the C in C was a calculated risk, especially towards the end of the game when bolder orders were required for the Landsknechts.  However, the initiative was always going to be with the Pope until the Venetians were sure of the main line of attack.  I wonder whether both sides took too much of a risk dividing their forces, although I would say Jon and Russ won through bolder and more decisive orders.

As an operational game it worked very well.  The sense that a battle could be fought at any number of points kept both sides careful with reserves and over commitment of forces - it did feel like a mini campaign.  All the tables were moved over and there were actions fought on three of them.  The size of the armies at equal points felt correct and the game was in the balance right until the end.  No one played badly and as Umpire I had a great game watching two teams manoeuvre their armies and "duke" it out - well done everyone!

Battle of Turin

Anatomy of a Milanese disaster. Those of a nervous disposition look away now...

With time running out, the French must attack or Milan wins the whole of North Italy.  Has a single battle ever been so important?  But two factors play into the French hands.  The landschnects have placed themselves in horrible terrain, limiting their movement, and the mounted crossbow fill the gap in the defences - giving the French Gendarmes the perfect target.  Let them shoot then charge them down.  The crossbow attempt to evade but one doesn't manage to.  The Retainers on the left meanwhile attempt to wipe out the other artillery group. Crucially the commander of the pike / artillery - caught in this furious charge - runs for cover (the mounted crossbow).  If they go, he goes.

The heavy French cavalry charge in.  The artillery on their extreme right is wiped out by the Retainers - who then unfortunately run into the pike and will not live long as a result. The Milanese condottiere countercharge the French gendarmes to protect the mounted crossbow but are now caught in-between - not good if they are forced to flee.  The remaining French forces slowly move up.

The condotierre are forced back through the crossbow (shaking them) and their own second rank (shaking them as well). The gendarmes make hay by ploughing through their shaken opponents.  The Retainers to their right are doomed BUT they prevent the unengaged unit of pike hitting the gendarmes in the flank.  This saves the French attack at the cost of the Retainers lives.  Note that the pike commander is still hiding amongst the crossbow.

With the artillery killed off, the condotierri are split.  One engages in an epic battle with the surviving retainers as the Gendarmes see off the remaining condotierri and plough into the shaken mounted crossbow.  The loss of one unit of condottieri shakes a pike unit close by and thus breaks up the pike block further.  The French attempt to mask their pike with crossbowmen to save their dense pike blocks (already shaken from gunfire).

The same action, but you can see the condottieri sitting shaken on the baggage, wondering what hit them.  The mounted crossbow meanwhile get both barrels from armoured lancers with high melee skills.   They run for it - taking the pike commander with them.  No pips for the pike!

A crucial part of the battle.  By rights the remaining unengaged gendarmes should just charge into the pike coming over the barricades.  But the French King automatically runs through the crossbow (shaking more units around them) and with 4 pips available the unengaged gendarmes instead put themselves in a position to charge the pike.  With no commander the pike have no orders and so can't react - oh dear, how sad, never mind...Meanwhile the French left have drifted over - leaving their artillery behind their gendarmes blast into the skirmishers who run for it.  The remaining cannon on the Milanese left also run for it after coming under crossbow fire.  The French pike are now free to run forward into the gaping hole forming in the Milanese centre.  The Duke of Milan sees his dreams crumbling around him.  His most powerful units are either leaderless (pike on his left) or stuck (landschnects in the middle in poor terrain).

The King and his gendarmes kill off another unit of condottieri in front of the Milanese baggage (their leader is stuck in a fight to the death with French retainers).  This mini-battle runs on and on - the condottieri just can't seem to be able to finish them off.

The Milanese pike roll for a commander replacement and he is placed with the closest pike unit to the gendarmes to provide morale support-  just as the gendarmes plough into them.  But he prevents another pike unit coming to help by blocking their way.  The King of Franch ploughs into the remaining condottieri in front of the baggage while French pike and crossbow reach the entrenchments with no-one to stop them.  The landschnects are powerless - they are stuck in the terrain and if they show their flank will have lance-armed retainers ploughing into them.  Milan's only chance is to kill the King's gendarmes attacking their left flank OR get the remaining condottieri to finish off the King's retainers and plough into the foot crossbow to cause moral checks.  But the retainers stay in the fight...

It gets worse for the Milanese.  The King's Gendarmes - having already seen off 2 units of condottieri and two of mounted crossbow AND captured the Duke of Milan's baggage - returns to smack some Milanese pike in the rear (just as his other gendarmes and handing out more damage to the pike they previously charged).  The remaining condottieri are STILL battling away with the King's retainers who resolutely refuse to die.  In the fields, the Milanese skirmishers are charged again and flee again...the French pike meanwhile climb over the entrenchments...its not looking good for Milan.

From the French view - carnage in the Milanese ranks as two units of pike are shaken and the French foot are piling through.  Only the setting sun can save Milan from a catastrophic defeat.  All those cannon lost to the French, who can capture them and use them against their old owners in the weeks to come.

The end is here.  The skirmishers in the field are caught in the open by the Gendarmes. The Milanese pike are routed completely.  The baggage is captured.  Although the Kings Retainers finally give up the ghost, the Milanese army retires, leaving cannon behind and the field to the French.  Zut alors!  Vive la France!

Autumn 1504 to Spring 1505 AD

The Venetian army had deployed some way from Padua seeking to exploit favourable defensive terrain amid the otherwise flat Po Valley.  The siege lines were thinly held but the garrison of Padua was in no fit state to intervene in the coming battle, whilst the Venetian army was well placed to prevent any attempt to resupply the stricken city.

Venetian engineers had been busy constructing a formidable line of entrenchments but the light cavalry had failed to provide any information regarding the strength or direction of the Papal army. After weeks of attempting to take Padua and with the loss of so many troops in pointless assaults it was as if the vitality had been drained from the Venetian commanders.

Pope Julius was with his army and was determined that an attack on the Venetians should be launched irrespective of any numerical disparity or impregnable entrenchments.  His generals advised caution but he knew that his pontificate required a victory on the battlefield.  His alliance with France had brought him no gains and Spain's influence had toppled the friendly regime in Florence leaving him without allies and facing Venice on his own.  He now had to contend with a reinvigorated Milan angered at his support for the attempted coup in Genoa and Florence was threatening to annex Urbino and increase the isolation of the Papal states.  Spanish intrigues had increased in Rome as the Spanish cardinals had been vocal in their criticism of his Francophile policies.  It was with some relief that he fled his critics in Rome and rejoined the army in Padua.

The Papal army was small but well motivated.  His general's dismay at the Venetian host turned to cautious optimism on closer study of the defences.  The Venetians were determined to hold the flat land on their right flank as this was ideal terrain for their force of mounted condottiere.  Infantry and artillery had been posted in the marsh land that connected this position with their left flank and baggage but they would be unable to move if an attack developed elsewhere.  Compounding this error, the Venetians had left their left flank open and poorly supported.  The Papal generals resolved on an all out attack against this left flank hoping that boldness would secure a victory against an isolated and open flank.

The Papal army moved quickly deploying artillery to play against the Venetian defences whilst infantry and men at arms moved to envelope the baggage.  The Venetians were shocked that their well emplaced artillery was unable to return the Papal bombardment and struggled to move their mercenary pike to plug the now obvious gap in their defences.  The Venetian commander could not believe that the small Papal army was the whole force facing him and held his mounted right flank in reserve in case another force attacked.  The Papal troops maintained this ruse with mounted messengers ostentatiously seeking non existent contingents.

However, Papal pressure on the left flank forced the Venetians to commit their whole army to the left.  The centre was stuck in the marsh but the condottiere moved swiftly to counter the Papal force.  In the last hour of daylight the Venetians launched a counter attack with pike and cavalry but were ably held by Papal gensdarmes.  A pike contingent routed and the lead condottier retired shaken leaving the whole Venetian army in peril.  As the shock of possible defeat reverberated along the Venetian lines it seemed possible that the Pope had achieved a victory against all the odds.  But the moment passed and as darkness descended the Papal army was prevented from exploiting this most favourable of opportunities.

The Pope was determined not to withdraw and resolved to keep his army on the field hoping that the disheartened Venetians would fall back and allow him to revictual Padua.  The Venetians were dismayed by their performance but not disheartened.  Most of the army had held and there were enough reserves to continue the battle and the Venetian commanders were now fully aware of the size of their adversary.  The Pope penned a letter during the night imploring the Duke of Ferrara to come to his aid as swiftly as possible, promising a famous victory over his deadliest enemy.

For some days the Pope held on whilst the Venetians reorganised their defence.  However, the superior Venetian light cavalry made it difficult for the Pope to secure supplies, and when after a week the Pope received a reply from Ferrara it was long on excuses and short on promises.  A council of war was summoned and the Pope was forced to accept the impossibility of his position and the now weakened army withdrew to friendly territory and winter quarters.  The following day Padua surrendered to the victorious Venetians.

Julius' situation was now completely undermined.  The Spanish cardinals on behalf of their king had been intriguing strongly against Julius since the summer.  The defeat outside Padua was the final proof of Julius' failure and the cardinals called an ecumenical council in order to dethrone Julius during the winter of 1504/05, arguing that his dissolute and warlike government had brought the church into disrepute across Europe.  The Emperor had lent his support as clergy across the Empire had complained that protests were mounting against this unholy papacy.  In reality, the Emperor sought to minimise French influence in Italy whilst Spain sought to extend its power in the peninsular.  A French delegation from Urbino attempted to defend Julius but they were ridiculed and ignored; French power was seen to be weak by all the delegates.  By epiphany 1505 Julius had been deposed and exiled to France.  His replacement, Calixtus II, was quickly installed by his Spanish backers.

The French King could not believe that the promising start to 1504 had resulted in reversals to all his plans.  Genoa had rebuffed all French intrigues, Milan had not only held out but had taken Savoy and Turin from the French.  Spain had replaced an allied government with the Medici in Florence and had now ignominiously turfed out their candidate from the Papacy.  Even Venice maintained a wary alliance with Spain in opposition to France.  As winter turned to spring, France lost its last foothold in Italy when Florence occupied Urbino and Spain trumpeted its new power by occupying Bologna in payment for its support of Florence and the new Pope.

The French king was resolved to make one last effort to secure his influence in Italy by launching an all out effort to defeat Milan.  He paid a subsidy to the English King and relinquished some territory to the Emperor in order to secure his northern and eastern territories whilst scouring his kingdom for supplies and money and marched an army across the Alps once more to besiege Turin.  The Duke of Milan was fully aware of the French threat and had stripped much of his Duchy to maintain a huge army on his threatened borders.

At first the Duke was content to sit behind the walls of Turin expecting the French to launch a typically impetuous assault against his reinforced walls.  However, the French were determined not to repeat the mistakes of the previous year and sat down to starve the garrison into submission.  The Duke could not afford to remain inactive in Turin whilst the rest of the Duchy was vulnerable and in late spring marched out his whole army and offered battle to the French.  The French commanders much preferred their chances in open battle and the challenge was accepted.

Once more the balance of power is set to change.  A French defeat would force the French King to sue for peace under the terms of "uti possidetis" which would result in all the gains made becoming core territories for their occupying states.  Milan would be the undoubted winner.  However, a French victory may result in the collapse of the over taxed and indebted Duchy and a resurgent France would be able to challenge the hegemony of Spain.

1503 to 1504 AD

The Venetians were quick to accept the Spanish request for help.  A Fleet was sent to North Africa, where it helped in the subjugation of Oran and an army disembarked outside the walls of Bari, which soon capitulated.  The Spanish King was pleased to have a powerful ally in Italy which could maintain its position in the peninsular whilst he expanded his empire at the expense of the infidel.  However, by the summer of 1503 the Sultan had concluded peace terms with the Emperor and troops and ships were now free to counter the Spanish threat.  Reluctantly, the Spaniards also agreed to peace, returning Algiers but holding onto Oran.  The rebellion in Bari and the quick response of Venice had indicated how weak the Spanish position was in Italy, and an army was shipped to Naples as soon as peace was signed.

The Duke of Milan was determined to recover his position in Northern Italy before the great powers could effectively intervene and raised a large loan on the international market in order to finance its ambitions.  Novarra was soon recovered but many were surprised by the retaking of Como.  Como was the main aquisition of France in its campaign prior to the crusade and it had taken no precautions for its defence but counted on the continuing weakness of Milan.  This mistaken policy was successfully exploited by the Duke as Mont-Ferrat and Turin fell in succession.

France had been intriguing with the Church Party throughout 1503 as it attempted to wrest control of the Genoese government from Milan.  Much money was spent but the most influential citizens of the republic continued to see nominal independence under the protection of the Duke preferable to absorption by France.

Meanwhile France had been busy in cooperation with Florence and the Papacy.  A French army landed in Pisa and marched north against Lucca.  Confident that this small republic would quickly succumb to the might of France there was consternation that it took three assaults before the city fell; this boded ill for the future success of French arms.

In concert with this French attack, Florence and the Pope had combined their armies for an attack on Bologna.  Bologna had increased its defences during the winter and it stoutly held out against the initial attacks but the combined artillery train of the Allies had breached the walls by late spring and the combined Florentine Senate and Papal curia organised a joint triumphal march through the breached gates as a sign of their shared ownership of Bologna.

During the spring of 1503 there occurred the curious case of the death of Leonardo DaVinci.  Honoured by the Duke and revered as the saviour of his state by the whole of Italy, the Duke had been angered when DaVinci had sought new honours and greater wealth.  When the Duke discovered that DaVinci had accepted a lucrative position with the Florentines he ordered the ungrateful DaVinci to be imprisoned.  Soon after he was found poisoned and the whole of Christendom blamed the Duke; although he pleaded his innocence.

None of the combatants were in any fit condition to wage further campaigns in 1503 but the diplomacy was intense.  Behind the scenes, Spain and France vied for diplomatic supremacy whilst Machiavelli endeavoured to exploit the fluid politics of Italy to Florence's advantage.  Again, the French tried to improve their position in Northern Italy by engineering a coup in Genoa, and again, this was only just thwarted by Milan.  France now saw that it must bring it's main army from Lucca to Savoy in order to thwart any further attacks by Milan.  It's failure to secure Genoa meant that the army had to return by sea.  The Genoese had blockaded Savoy and a Venetian fleet sailed nearby.  The French were not sure of the Venetians intentions and decided to close with the Genoese and force their way through.  As the French galleys pushed into the blockading lines,  the Genoese were seen to buckle, and it was at this point that the Venetian admiral showed his hand.  Galeasses sailed up to support the Genoese van and used their superior firepower to drive off the French Galleys.  The French transports, that were positioned some way off from the battle,  decided that Savoy would be too difficult to attain and fled towards Marseille.  The uncommitted French Main and Rear thought that the transports could see more Venetian reinforcements over the horizon and fled in the same direction.  The French Admiral, who had led the French attack cursed the perfidy of Venice and joined the rest of his fleeing fleet.

Both the Pope and Florence now believed their treaty of non-aggression with Venice had been violated by the Venetian fleet and complained bitterly to the Doge and intrigued with the French.
During the winter of 1503/04 news of the French reverses reached the court in Paris and the army was ordered to cross the Alps into Savoy ready to attack Turin in the Spring.  The Duke of Milan rebuilt and reinforced all his conquests in anticipation of this attack.  The Duke especially hired German mercenaries to hold Turin and sent extra artillery to ensure its defence was effective.  Whilst the French moved against Turin the Duke attacked and took Savoy forcing the French to rely on a precarious supply route over the Alps.  The French commander, concerned that time was against him put his whole army into the siege lines determined to batter and assault his way into Turin.  The result was bloody, but by the slimmest of margins the German mercenaries were able to withstand each attack and the Duke's fearsome artillery wrought destruction amongst the French contingents.  Unable to maintain the siege by the summer, the French were in full retreat over the Alps.  The Duke was jubilant at his great victory and all in Italy were aware that the balance of power may have changed.

Meanwhile, the Pope was trying to exploit the French attack by laying siege to Padua, aware that Venice could expect no help from Milan.  The Duke of Ferrara was keen to help the Pope achieve his humiliation of Venice and joined him in the siege lines.  As part of this grand strategy, Florence advanced against Modena hoping to secure an easy victory against the overstretched Milanese. The Papal armies took Padua but the Florentines were repulsed and news of the French defeat and Florentine reverse led to riots in the streets of Florence as the Medici faction sought to exploit the news.  Many were still angry at Machiavelli giving up Urbino to the French and the Spanish were quick to send aid to the Medici, eager to extend their influence at the expense of France.  The news of the French defeat sparked a rebellion in the Romagna and the cry went out that the French in Urbino had aided this uprising.  Machiavelli fled Florence and during the summer months the Medici with Spanish support consolidated their regime.

The French court was dismayed at the continuous bad news from Italy and decided on a campaign to remove the Sforza Duke once and for all.  Its battered army retired to Dauphine were money was sent to rebuild it for a renewed attack in 1505.

The Pope was keen to maintain his campaign against Padua and chose to believe the Medici's promises of continued support.  However, aware of French weakness and prompted by Spain, Florence moved against Lucca in the late summer and then turned on the Romagna during the autumn.  The Pope was now bereft of support but was determined to protect his position in Ferrara.  The Venetians had been surprised by the temerity of the Pope but had assembled their whole force in Mantua and around Venice for the counter attack.  During the summer months both armies sought to divide the other without exposing their own armies to risk but by the autumn the Venetians were besieging Padua and on the brink of retaking it.  Venetian light troops harassed Ferrara but the Pope sought a decisive battle against the Venetian besiegers and all Italy looked on in anticipation of a clash that may decide the course of the campaign.

Clash at Padua

Above is the battlefield for next week's clash between the Pope and Venice.  Mark, as the defender, has laid out the terrain but Jon must choose which side he will come on from.  I suggest Phil will play on Mark's side as he has experience of defensive works and Russ should play on Jon's side as he has experience of attacking defensive positions!

We will need to roll for baggage positions and then Mark will lay out roads to connect the baggage with the BUA and two areas of close cultivated terrain.  Please consider your plans for next week and let me know if you have any queries.

1501 to 1502 AD

The rulers of Italy took stock of their positions in the winter of 1500/01.  The Duchy of Milan, ravaged by rebellions and the marauding armies of France and the Emperor, had managed, with the aid of Da Vinci, to hold onto most of the Duchy and add Modena to the Dukes possessions.  His resources depleted he had become reliant on the support of Venice and the Emperor to withstand the French claim against his Dukedom.

The Venetians had marched forth confidently at the start of the year but Ferrara had withstood their attacks and Mantua had been their only gain.  The Imperial Army had devastated much of Terra Ferma in its march to aid Milan and so the Doge was expecting lower revenues this year when the disastrous news that the Grand Turk was mobilising against Christendom.  The Venetian ambassador to the Sublime Porte of Constantinople was imprisoned and the trading posts and colonies of the Venetian Empire clamoured for help as Ottoman galleys scoured the Mediterranean for plunder.  The Knights of St John beseeched the Doge for aid as they believed their stronghold in Rhodes was the Sultans next target.  The Venetian senate quickly sent a fleet to their principle base of Cyprus in anticipation of Turkish attacks.

Florence had, with some difficulty, taken Urbino and the Romagna but the heavy taxation needed to wage war had enflamed rebellions in Piombino and Camandoli.  Nevertheless, its diplomacy under the genius of Machiavelli has secured it a powerful voice in Italian politics and a strong influence at the court of the King of France.  Such influence helped secure a French candidate for Pope.

The new Pope, Julius, without any threat of interference from the other Italian powers and believing that his French friends could overawe any Spanish opposition, sought to expand his dominions to the south..  Aware that the papacy had fiefs in the old kingdom of Naples he ordered his army to take Abruzzi, thinking that the Spanish would overlook this challenge to their power.  The Spanish response was swift and it looked as if the Papacy itself would soon be overrun when news of the Ottoman threat hit the courts of Europe.

Pope Julius instantly called a crusade in order to forestall the Spanish attack.  Acutely aware of his weak position and his inability to call on his French sponsor he decided that influence with the Spanish court would be valuable in the future and so the Curia has been stacked with Spanish cardinals.

The Spanish King was gratified by the Popes gift but he too was keen to reach an accord with the Pope as the Ottomans menaced the long coastline of Spain and its Mediterranean possessions.  At the start of 1501 a Turkish tax was raised throughout the coastal provinces of Italy and the Spanish King formally asked for aid from the Venetians.  The Doge took a gamble and sent his remaining fleet to combine with Spain's navy.  During the summer this huge fleet manoeuvred against the Ottomans around Sicily and the southern coast of Italy and the Genoese fleet decisively defeated an Ottoman raid against Corsica.

The French King was disgruntled at the Pope's call for a crusade which had curtailed his attack against Milan.  Como was poor compensation for his efforts and he demanded Urbino from Florence which he saw as his due for giving the Florentine's a free hand in central Italy.  Machiavelli thought it prudent to keep the French on side and agreed to their demands.  There has been disquiet in Florence that Machiavelli was too quick to give away their hard won gains.

The Emperor's position was also harmed by the Ottoman threat. Keen to assert his authority in Northern Italy and prevent the French from increasing theirs, the war in the east forced him to abandon his Italian dreams.  He demanded Friulli as compensation, but the Venetians, fully aware that he would be too constrained by the Turkish threat, have refused his demands.

Meanwhile, the Duke of Ferrara is riding on a wave of popular support from his subjects.  Funded and beholden to the Pope he has repaired the city's defences, raised an army and constructed a powerful artillery with which he defied the Venetians throughout 1501 and 1502.  Able to raise taxes and loans he has begun construction on a new and elaborate form of artillery fortification which he claims will make Ferrara invulnerable to attack.

Lucca and Bologna have also increased their defences.  Dismayed by the absorption of so many once wealthy independent states they are determined to withstand absorption by their more powerful neighbours.  They are especially wary of Florence and have raised extra troops to defend their cities.

Genoa was the scene of political faction as the French sought to remove the Duke of Milans influence.  Bishop Campofregosa was especially active but his position was undermined by the Genoese victory against the Turks off Corsica and the successful campaign by the Duke of Milan against the rebels in Cremona.  At the close of 1502, Genoa remains a staunch ally of Milan.

The Duke of Milan was much weakened after 1500 and he struggled to put an army together against his rebel provinces.  However, an improved artillery train and the genius of DaVinci quickly overcame the rebel defences at Cremona.  Pont-Remoli was overawed by the Dukes resurgence  and was aware that Genoa was firmly in his camp, and so in 1502, it beseeched his protection.  Unfortunately, the rebels in Novarra have relied on aid from the King of France and have repeatedly refused to come to terms with the Duke.

Florence also used 1501 to recover its rebel provinces which proved expensive.  Bereft of the French alliance, Machiavelli judged 1502 would be an appropriate time to recover the states finances and await further political developments.

Venice also made capital from the crusade, confident that no major state would threaten it whilst the Ottomans menaced Christendom.  Aware that its Italian rivals were too weak to threaten its position it nevertheless looked on with dismay as Ferrara, with impunity, strengthened its defences.  However, in the summer of 1502, the Doge was informed that the Ambassador at Constantinople had been released and that the Sultan sought peace.  The Ottomans had struggled to overwhelm the Christian navies and valuable resources had been diverted from their armies in Hungary in order to withstand the counter attack launched by the Knights of St John and the Venetians.  The Spanish had turned a punitive raid in North Africa into a war of conquest as they sought to take the city of Tangiers.

The Emperor fought an indecisive campaign in alliance with the King of Hungary.  Arguments over precedence had led to delay in 1501 and in 1502, the Christian army looked on as southern Hungary was overwhelmed by the Turkish hordes.  However, the Sultan has been forced to make peace due to his failed campaign in the Mediterranean.  The Hungarian King has refused to pay any compensation to the Emperor and as peace is signed he once again demands Friulli from Venice.

The Spanish are not keen for peace as they have much to gain from their attacks in North Africa.  The Venetians are not interested in supporting Spanish demands and withdraw their fleet as they look to regain their "most favoured" trading status with the Ottoman Empire.  The Spanish King is resolved to continue the war on his own resources much to the dismay of his overtaxed subjects.  In the winter of 1502, the Italian city of Bari declares its independence.  With no army in Naples the Spanish King asks Venice for aid.

Ferrara

Alfonso d'Este, Duke of Ferrara.

The Duke of Ferrara has announced his allegiance and fealty to the Pope.  An army has been raised and artillery has been cast in the famous foundries of his city.

Strategic thoughts.

After our first tumultuous year of the campaign I thought it might be useful to pause and consider the strategic options open to each state.

Papal States

With Florence to it's north and Spain to it's south, the Pope has limited avenues left for easy conquests.  Florence has taken Urbino and the Romagna, cutting the Papacy off from any further advances north.  However, by taking Ancona, the Pope can send an army by sea but may need the aid of an ally with a fleet.  The recent election of a Pope supported by France gives the Papal army such a choice.  Nevertheless, the Pope has many enemies amongst the great families of Rome and Cesare Borgia intrigues from Naples against Pope Julius, under the protection of Spain.

Florence

Florence now dominates central Italy and is able to intervene in a number of directions; but Bologna and Lucca seem most vulnerable.  Now that the Pope is supported by France it's southern border appears secure but it must first subdue the rebellions that have weakened it's finances.  The Medici continue to plot for their return to power and many suspect that they are behind the rebellions; rich and powerful they have lent much to the Spanish monarchy.

Milan

Milan has been under direct attack from France and the rebellious province of Como has been lost to that great power.  The Emperor is no true friend and only helped to ensure France did not gain a strategic advantage over the Holy Roman Empire; he demands territorial compensation and only the threat of the Turks has forced him to withdraw from Italy after the truce with France.  The capture of Modena is ample compensation for the loss of Como as it may also induce Pont-Remoli to seek protection from Milan.  However, the rebellions in Novarra and Cremona are a continuing drain on the Duchies finances.

Venice

The Doge did well to take Mantua but the failure to secure Ferrara is a reminder to all that the Duke of Ferrara has long been an enemy of Venice.  Any further aggrandizement of the "Terra Firma" is limited by the Empire and Milan.  Naval dominance gives Venice an ability to expand anywhere in Italy, but the Ottoman threat and the lack of Allies will make this difficult.  The recent involvement of the Emperor and the possibility of France as a neighbour has made it clear to the Venetians that their strategic position could be precarious.

The Campaign Begins - 1500AD

As new year 1500 approached there were many dark signs and portents reported across Italy; a two headed calf in Apulia, demonic armies seen in the skies above Brindisi, a statue of the Virgin Mary wept blood in the sacristy of Monte Cassino and a child was born in Capua with a full head of hair and able to quote scripture in latin.  All this was reported to the Papal Curia.

However, the princes of Italy care little for their superstitious subjects.  As men of the Renaissance they seek power and influence over their peers and they will use all the resources of the modern age to impose their dominion on Italy.

As spring approaches the Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza, imposes a heavy war tax on his subjects purchasing mercenaries from Germany for his planned attack on the independent city state of Modena.  The Duke of Modena rallies his citizens and is able to withstand an intense assault by the German troops. The Duke of Milan attempts to bribe the garrison commander but the plot is discovered by the angry citizens who hang the commander from the ramparts.  News of this set back has caused consternation in Milan and the subject provinces Cremona and Novarra rise up in rebellion.

Meanwhile, the Borgia Pope, Alexander, has ordered the Papal army under his illegitimate son Cesare Borgia to take Ancona.  The Papacy has invested in an artillery foundry at Ostia and Cesare is confident that he has the latest technology to take fortified cities.  The Borgia's are hoping to create their own principality in eastern Italy which will ensure their dominant position within the Papal states.  With the backing of Spain they are in a powerful position already.  Unfortunately, Ancona withstands the bombardment and is able to maintain supplies from the sea.  The papal army settles down for a long siege and Cesare is forced to write excuses to his father whilst also seeking ammunition for his heavy artillery.

Venice is watchful of the ambitions of the Duke of Milan and the Doge (with his eminence gris, il Duce Di Oerl) plan to counter his expansion by taking both Mantua and Ferrara and firmly securing their "Terra Firma" against any attacks from the south.  Mantua is riven by internal factions and a party sympathetic to the Venetians opens the main gates to the invading army.  However, the citizens if Ferrara have long hated Venice and they all but destroy the besieging army.

The Florentine senate is conscious of the threat faced by its powerful neighbours and seeks to expand its territory to maintain its influence.  Grumbling, the subject states of Florence suffer a heavy increase in taxation in order to fund these ambitions.  Light cavalry are recruited to increase its ability to scout enemy armies and its citizen army marches east to subdue the Romagna and Urbino.  Urbino is taken by bloody assault but the Romagna withstands the onslaught of the Florentine militia.

Meanwhile, the king of France is closely watching the situation in Northern Italy.  He has a claim on his mother's side to the Duchy of Milan as she was related to the dispossessed Visconti family who were usurped by the present Duke's uncle.  Aware of the power and prestige of Milan he organises an army to take back what he believes is his birthright.  Italian exiles and some Italian states urge on the King's ambitions.

Venice is concerned that Milan will call on the Holy Roman Emperor for aid and northern Italy will become a ravaged battlefield.  The Doge agrees treaties of mutual peace with Milan, Florence and the Pope, hoping that this will prevent an escalation into a war that none of the Italian states will be able to control.

As spring turns to summer, Cesare receives fresh supplies from his father and the reinvigorated Papal army subdues Ancona after an intense bombardment.  Cesare is feted in Rome and the Pope orders a month of festivities to celebrate the great victory of his son.

In Milan the situation worsens.  The citizens of Como rise up in protest against the high taxation and send for aid from the French king.  There is talk of intrigue and plots against the Duke.  Venice sends some help but the Duke is forced to ask the Emperor for aid.  The Emperor has long held the belief that Milan is a fief of the Holy Roman Empire and he would like to replace the Sforza with one of his own family; but he would much prefer the Sforza than the French in control of Milan.  As the French march directly on Milan, a German army moves through the Alpine passes of the Tyrol to prevent a Sforza defeat.

The Duke of Milan, gambling on the success of Imperial arms, is resolved to take Modena.  He orders Da Vinci to help with the siege, and the maestro constructs engines of war of such ingenuity that the German mercenaries are able once more to assault the city walls and take it by storm; maddened by their ordeal none of the garrison are spared.  Inspite of the grim situation, the Duke has restored his reputation and the citizens of Milan begin to hope that they may still be saved.

The Imperial army arrives at nearly the same time as the French army, but supported by the local population it is able to better supply itself and settles down into defences near the city to await a French attack.  The French are struggling to maintain their position in hostile territory and with orders to be cautious, the French fall back on to the friendly province of Como.  Again, the Duke's reputation is enhanced by the success of his ally.

The Venetians are worried by the involvement of the Emperor.  He is no friend of the Doge and claims that Friulli is rightfully part of the Empire.  However, they are unwilling to directly oppose the French and are dismayed that the Florentines are unable to better restrain their ally.  The battered remnants of their army withdraws from Ferrara as the Venetians draw in their forces in the expectation that they might come under attack in the near future.

The Florentines, and their chief minister Machiavelli, are content with how their plans have progressed.  Sitting on a large war chest and suffering no repercussions at home, they renew the attack on the Romagna whilst conducting an active if benign foreign policy.  The Romagna continues to defy continued attacks but by late summer it has no strength left and the exhausted Florentine army secures the province.  Machiavelli is pleased that his plans have succeeded and aware that the Pope has many enemies, he is the last in Italy to be surprised at the news of the Borgia Pope's death.

Pope Alexander is said to have died from the excesses of the month long celebration of his son's victory.  A conclave of cardinals was quickly formed to elect a new pope and Cesare was confident of securing the Pontificate as he had Spanish support and an army at his back.  However, powerful interests were ranged against him.  Della Roviere had been in exile in France for many years.  His lands had been confiscated by the Borgia and many of his kinsmen had been personally murdered by Cesare.  He had tried to poison and assassinate Alexander on many occasions but had been thwarted each time by Cesare.  Obviously, he was the natural choice to be the next head of Christ's church on earth and the French king was able to secure votes and money to ensure his election as Pope Julius II.  Cesare was forced to flee to Naples for his life!

As Autumn arrived in the Po valley, the Imperial army advanced into Como.  The Duke sent Da Vinci to help in it's preparations and the defence works he designed and constructed were celebrated as a marvel of the modern age.  The French army was also entrenched and reluctant to try its luck against Da Vinci's field works.  However, the French court was angry at the lack of aggression by the French commander and many in the army wrote home of lost opportunities and missed chances to take Milan and humiliate the Emperor.  Bowing to the pressure at home, the king left Paris to take personal charge of his army, vowing to take Milan before the onset of winter.

Machiavelli's hubris was somewhat shaken by rebellions in Piombino and Camandoli.  The harvest had been poor and anger at the level of taxation had been building up during the summer.  The senate decided to consolidate its recent gains and ordered detachments to billet themselves in Pisa where there had been rumblings of discontent amongst the nobilty.  The army was so weakened by its campaigns in Urbino and the Romagna that it was in no fit state to put down the rebellions.  However, as the year came to an end Machiavelli remained content that with an ally as Pope and a French army deployed in Lombardy, Florentine influence and power was strong.

Venetian fears were confirmed that their strategic position was worsening at news that the Swiss Grisons had descended from their mountain strongholds to take the Tyrolean passes and cut off supplies to the Imperial army.  The Grisons had long been enemies of the Emperor and had claimed the Tyrol as rightfully theirs.  They were known to oppose any Imperial control of Milan but it was a mystery as to how and from where they had secured funds for their attack.  The Emperor threatened to retreat from Milan through Venetian territory unless the Doge came to his aid.  Fearful that the French would quickly overwhelm Milan he felt he had no choice but to open up Vincenza, Brescia and Treviso as supply routes for the Imperial army.

Buoyed by his election and secure that there was no threat from the north, Pope Julius risked an attack into Neopolitan territory.  The papacy had long claimed Abruzzi as a fief of the Vatican and declaring no ill will against the Spanish he hoped to secure the province before winter and before any Spanish army of relief.  He would then use diplomacy to hold on to his gains.  The French king supports the Popes plans as he is jealous of Spanish control of Naples.  Unfortunately, the papal army was weakened by its campaign in Ancona and the Abruzzians put up a spirited defence in spite of the fearsome Papal artillery and generous bribes.  A desperate assault takes the city walls but the garrison retreats to the citadel in the hope of a relieving army.  The following day swarms of Spanish Jinetes announce the imminent arrival of the main Spanish army.  The Spanish Viceroy conducts an effective harrying of the papal army as it barely escapes back to Ancona.  Julius's gamble has failed and he now faces the prospect of war with Spain.

At this point shocking news hits all the courts of Europe.  The Ottoman Sultan has arrayed an enormous army at Constantinople and his legendary admiral Barborossa is conducting destructive raids against Christian territories across the Mediterranean.  No one in Christendom knows where the main attack will fall.  The outlying strongholds of the Venetian empire demand help from the Doge and a fleet is despatched to Cyprus in anticipation of an attack.  The Imperial Diet demands that the Emperor devotes his power to the defence of the Empire and the Spanish king is concerned at the vulnerability of his extensive coastal provinces.  Pope Julius cannot believe his luck and a mass is said in thanks to God!  With no army and little means to withstand a Spanish attack he declares a crusade and promises to help Spain in it's hour of need.  The Spanish Vice Roy is ordered to make an immediate peace with the Pope which Julius sweetens by ordaining several new Spanish cardinals including the Viceroys son.

The repercussions of the crusade are wide ranging.  The French king is forced to call off his attack on Milan in solidarity with the Emperor against the Turk.  He is angry that he has made such little gain for all his exertions and takes Como as compensation; he demands that Florence give him either Urbino or the Romagna in payment for his alliance.

Without the support of the Imperial Diet, the Emperor has no resources to enforce his will in Northern Italy.  He demands territory from either Venice or Milan in compensation.  The Grisons, aware that the Imperial army is returning, relinquish the Tyrol and flee into the mountains.

As 1500 comes to an end taxes are collected and plans made for the coming year.