The Honourable Company

Can anyone enlighten me a little on how the HWIC operates (in general terms) within the game? Do they have a geographical HQ, for example...

All tid-bits gratefully gristed in the mill

I think its based in England London not too sure....

I've often thought about similar things myself, mostly when I was playing the UDP.

How can the UDP control operations in the Far East? The same would go for Parliament controlling the actions of the HEIC.

Dutch operations in the Far East were all under the control of the VOC, which would have essentially acted alone, maybe within some diplomatic framework laid down from The Hague, with its base at Batavia.

Always seems to me that the VOC should be played by someone

I think the HWIC or the Company they call themselves are pretty honourable. They seem to have a base in the Caribbean but their people are found in France, Spain, Africa, England, Scotland and the UDP. They are not aligned to any nation but both Spain and France have wooed them I believe. Not sure why they have such a high honour score but then I could wright and ask them!

Regor wrote:I think the HWIC or the Company they call themselves are pretty honourable. They seem to have a base in the Caribbean but their people are found in France, Spain, Africa, England, Scotland and the UDP. They are not aligned to any nation but both Spain and France have wooed them I believe. Not sure why they have such a high honour score but then I could wright and ask them!

Are you refering to the HWIC in G7?

Yep, that would be them - what do you know?

The are independant of England with fingers in many pies, Spain and France in particular. I couldn’t say for sure where they are based but the have offices in a lot of places around the world. They are widely thought of as being honourable and trustworthy, and undoubtedly have many secrets to tell (if you could get them to share of course).

Ahhh. Thank you. Post more please if you get it!

Stuart Bailey seems to think quite poorly of the HWIC (Game 7) any thoughts? (See previous posting in France v England pg 17(?)

Whist I'm Not involved in Game 7, it could well be that the HWIC has a high honour score because it is basically a merchant based position. If it is a sussessful business then it's shareholders would hold the board in high esteem.
If they have offices all over Europe that could be the case.

I would just like to say that I agree with the "Real Louis" and second him in saying that the Directors of the HWIC in game 7 have done a 1st rate job for their shareholders and customers. Avoiding such hazards as pirates who think they are traitors to the Brotherhood, English Governments who think they are Pirates/potential Jacobites & the French over running their their original base areas they have managed to bring the Slaves, Tobacco & Sugar home and to date avoid the hangman. Not bad at all for a bunch of ex Pirates, Smugglers, Convicts and brothel keepers of mixed (mostly English Nationality).

This is all the more impressive when you consider that the HWIC in 1700 is clearly a weaker position than the HEIC and the Dutch VOIC. Like the HEIC its registered office is London and in theory its an English conpany but with its main HQ elsewhere (I believe in game 7 the main trade etc base was Jamaica). But unlike the HEIC and the VOIC it does not actually control its main base.

Also in 1700 if Spain keeps its trade monopoly with Spanish America in place much of the companies starting trade is in theory at least "smuggling" which is another reason along with the Slave Tradeing why the HWIC is the grubby nasty one of the three main trade company positions.

Normally I would say that to run the HWIC you need a Friendly English Government which views you as honest merchants in need of help and is not adverse to sending the Navy to bully Spanish Customs and African Tribes. Not sure if the HWIC in game 7 has ever had this back up & I think the company may have at the very least "considered" if a Stuart King might not suit them better.

To a degree the question of who is running England seems a lot less important to the 1705 Multi National Holding Company and its many subsidaries. Since Spain went down the free trade route without being bullied down it by the RN, HWIC Shares are now quoted on lots of exchanges as well as London and most of their ships are no longer registered in England.

Clearly on object lesson in how to run a trade company in game 7 ........basically you need to be a natural diplomat who's only loyalty is to the cash and you also need a full time flag maker and a printing press to keep up with all the ship re-registrations.