Game 10

Michael0 wrote:Yes, thanks, I understand it is a constitutional monarchy and that the Parliaments are different .
The Royal Prerogative in England at least gives the Government the right to declare war without the consent of Parliament. The Government "advises" the King that he should declare  war and the king does as he is advised.
The First Lord of the Treasury can choose to allow Parliament to discuss whether to declare war but it is not constitutionally necessary since he can simply advise the King to do so.
Brave is the one who tries it though.
Of course , he then might have the wrath of Parliament ever after since the King is never wrong in the decisions he makes ( but only ever badly advised )

Things may have changed by the WSS period but in the 2nd Anglo-Dutch war of the 1660's and in all prior wars it was the Royal Perrogative of English Kings to declare war.

However unless the Monarch wanted to fight a war using only his feudal rights and dues, revenue from the Royal Estates, borrowing and money from taxation like customs duties which were granted for the life time of the Monarch. The King or Queen and their ministers would then have to go to Parliament to get them to raise the tax/revenue required to properly fund a war.

By the C17 with the increased cost of warfare it was quite clear that traditional forms of Royal finance were barely enough to fund the Government and Royal Court in peacetime let alone the vastly greater spending required in War time. The last attempt to fight a war without Parliamentary taxation being Charles I Bishops War in which the Royal Army basically ran out of money in a matter of weeks and the Crowns borrowing costs went through the roof.

In 1665 the English Government of Charles II congradulated itself on getting £2.5m out of Parliament to cover the charge of the war (2nd Anglo-Dutch War) for the first three years. In the event all of this money and more had been spent by the end of the 2nd year leading too key English ships being laid up in the Medway due to lack of money to pay their crews and then being destroyed in a Dutch raid on the unmanned ships.

Charles II was basically forced to make peace due to running out of money. But was able to get reasonable terms from the Dutch due to their financial position also being dire and they were more worried about Louis XIV than Charles II.

Interestingly for the third Anglo-Dutch war Charles II avoided a great degree of Parliamentary financial controls over his foreign policy and war making by taking large sums of cash of Louis XIV (secret treaty of Dover). So in theory a English King could declare war and avoid the effective Parliamentary veto by not calling Parliament and having 0% tax's apart from on foreigners. And funding the war from reserves and foreign grants/subsidies.

Though it should be noted that when details of the Treaty of Dover and French funding got out it was very unpopular in England and King Charles and his Ministers decided to withdraw from the war and the French alliance against the Dutch.

The October 1706 game turn arrived yesterday with no change to the Honour table, despite the ultimate display of honour from one of the game’s leading nobles.

1. His Most Christian Majesty returned to royal lodgings in Paris, which seems to have spurred the street defence his forces were able to demonstrate against multiple waves of Imperial attacks.

Parisian barge owners put themselves out of business as they sank their barges to the west of the city preventing a possible Imperial river raid. This has hampered trade. Looking at the trade returns section I wonder if King Louis had invested his entire treasury in the Far East which may now suffer?

2. An Imperial ruse to take Strassburg failed as the defenders realised the besieging forces had let those being chased by other Imperial forces through without a scratch.

3. Dutch convoy ships carrying grain to the Asante jettisoned their cargo due to a leak in order to stay afloat. They then returned to the safety of port to repair.

4. Savoy’s cavalry found Lyon already besieged by Imperial forces when they arrived so they left the area. As did the besieging Imperial Hussars soon after.

5. England and Scotland decided that winter wasn’t the best time to go to war and are waiting for the outcome of France saying they’ll agree peace terms. Time for tea and whiskey?

6. Spain and HWIC opened many trade offices globally. While Venice saw the Spanish raiders move on from their territory.

7. The Prussian Army had a new rousing march composed for them. I must ask Alexei what he thought of it.

8. Saxony reduced tariffs on Russian merchants to 0%, while Prussia brought Elbing and Marienburg under the control of King Augustus.

9. The Ottoman Sultan in Anatolia passed away in his sleep to be replaced by his brother Sultan Ahmed III. Welcome to the new player.

10. The Asante have sent out trained farmers to educate others, while their merchants have found a supply of cattle to restore their herds after the Rinderpest outbreak forced many to be slaughtered.

11. Akwamu saw further devastation with fires raging and causing loss of life. This in part led to a pressing of the King to accept the overrule of the Akanthene or more pain will be suffered by his people.

12. Meanwhile the Rozwi are still waiting for Scottish Blacksmiths to process their order.

13. Shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi of Japan took the news of a clan member turning against him hard. He then committed seppuku after receiving a letter from Emperor Higashiyama. Indeed what now for Japan?

Many thanks for a great write-up as ever

So we now have a new Ottoman player, are we taking bets on how long it is before the Catholic powers start panicking and see Turks under the bed?

I'm slightly concerned the news from Japan means we've lost a player, hope that's not the case.

Jason2 wrote:Many thanks for a great write-up as ever

So we now have a new Ottoman player, are we taking bets on how long it is before the Catholic powers start panicking and see Turks under the bed?

I'm slightly concerned the news from Japan means we've lost a player, hope that's not the case.

Cheers Jason,

Depends on what the Ottoman player does as might mean it's not just Catholic powers checking under the bed. Russia, Persia, India and many African nations to name a few.

I'm partly wondering whether Japan wanted to change character to have a reset and could undo some of the changes implemented? Or maybe take up the Ottoman position? We may never know...

I think G10 Japan player is on this forum sometimes, in which case I hope everything's ok for you. I realise there's a lot going on in the world these days let alone in personal real life.

So we now have a new Ottoman player, are we taking bets on how long it is before the Catholic powers start panicking and see Turks under the bed?

That's spoilt my birthday weekend and I already have a hangover

It will add a new dimension, and it looks like there may be a couple of new players. First time the Ottoman position has been active since the game started?

The sudden appearance of a possible Ottoman threat may upset the Emperor’s plans, he seems determined to humble France and occupy Paris. The Imperial armies operating in France don’t seem to contain too many Austrians, mostly being made up of Saxons, Prussians, Swedes and Hanoverians, so perhaps he has retained the bulk of his troops at home, to guard again a renewed Turkish threat? The assault on Paris appears to have stalled and with winter coming it looks like the French war will drag on.
The situation in Poland may distract the attention of Leopold’s Saxon and Prussian allies with the Commonwealth appearing to be on the brink of Civil war. The drama never stops in game 10.

Hapsburg wrote:

So we now have a new Ottoman player, are we taking bets on how long it is before the Catholic powers start panicking and see Turks under the bed?

That's spoilt my birthday weekend and I already have a hangover

It will add a new dimension, and it looks like there may be a couple of new players. First time the Ottoman position has been active since the game started?

Always said that what Glori needs is more Ottomans

I've been thinking (never a good idea), I am pretty sure the only time I've ever had any real interaction with an Ottoman player(s) is in Game 8, particularly with Jason Flower as the Sultan, a nice cuddly sort of chap more interested in digging canals and improving navigation on waterways than slaughtering his way across Europe...

Marshal Bombast wrote:

5. England and Scotland decided that winter wasn’t the best time to go to war and are waiting for the outcome of France saying they’ll agree peace terms. Time for tea and whiskey?

As far as Lord Melville is concerned, it is always time for whisky

Stuart Bailey wrote:

Hapsburg wrote:

So we now have a new Ottoman player, are we taking bets on how long it is before the Catholic powers start panicking and see Turks under the bed?

That's spoilt my birthday weekend and I already have a hangover

It will add a new dimension, and it looks like there may be a couple of new players. First time the Ottoman position has been active since the game started?

Always said that what Glori needs is more Ottomans

Are you going to come back to the Ottoman Alliance Stuart?

The sudden appearance of a possible Ottoman threat may upset the Emperor’s plans, he seems determined to humble France and occupy Paris. The Imperial armies operating in France don’t seem to contain too many Austrians, mostly being made up of Saxons, Prussians, Swedes and Hanoverians, so perhaps he has retained the bulk of his troops at home, to guard again a renewed Turkish threat? The assault on Paris appears to have stalled and with winter coming it looks like the French war will drag on.
The situation in Poland may distract the attention of Leopold’s Saxon and Prussian allies with the Commonwealth appearing to be on the brink of Civil war. The drama never stops in game 10.

Lots going on in game 10 and the Ottomans and Savoy add to the complexity Agema seems to have been on a recruitment drive which is great news and keeps the games alive.

Can't disclose the composition of the Imperial armies I'm afraid, on here. As stated in the newspaper Austria has signed a treaty so France can end the war before the Swedes arrive. Austria seems to sign treaties but these are rejected, and then the situation for France worsens.

I expect Poland will resume after the winter, an interesting read, and the news from Japan was a surprise!

Jason2 wrote:I've been thinking (never a good idea), I am pretty sure the only time I've ever had any real interaction with an Ottoman player(s) is in Game 8, particularly with Jason Flower as the Sultan, a nice cuddly sort of chap more interested in digging canals and improving navigation on waterways than slaughtering his way across Europe...

Actually most recent Ottomans have been nice cuddly sorts more interested in digging canals and Turkish delight than slaughtering their way across Europe.

Think in Glori their bad rep is down to a couple of early Sultans in G1 and G2 and the Pasha of Egypt in G2 who was also a bad man. Since then its been more a case of give a dog a bad name.

My Grand Vizier in G2 was clearly in the cuddly, hard working, under-paid Civil Servant class of Ottoman but people kept picking on him

Finally managed to compare the September and October newspapers. The Duke of Duras’ 3rd Army of Paris departed Verdun during September with 44 battalions and 120 squadrons, but was harassed by hussars and suffered mass desertions.

The 3rd Army of Paris entered Paris during October with only 19 battalions and 20 squadrons I expect the King’s Guard are elite so it remained intact whereas the vast majority fled.

Hapsburg wrote:Finally managed to compare the September and October newspapers. The Duke of Duras’ 3rd Army of Paris departed Verdun during September with 44 battalions and 120 squadrons, but was harassed by hussars and suffered mass desertions.

The 3rd Army of Paris entered Paris during October with only 19 battalions and 20 squadrons I expect the King’s Guard are elite so it remained intact whereas the vast majority fled.

That is a lot of soldiers to mislay. Let's hope they've gone home or offered their services to other nations rather than decided to become bandits or the like!

Jason2 wrote:

Hapsburg wrote:Finally managed to compare the September and October newspapers. The Duke of Duras’ 3rd Army of Paris departed Verdun during September with 44 battalions and 120 squadrons, but was harassed by hussars and suffered mass desertions.

The 3rd Army of Paris entered Paris during October with only 19 battalions and 20 squadrons I expect the King’s Guard are elite so it remained intact whereas the vast majority fled.

That is a lot of soldiers to mislay.  Let's hope they've gone home or offered their services to other nations rather than decided to become bandits or the like!

Wow 25 Battalions and 100 Squadrons of Cavalry in a month - that is by numbers of units at least and perhaps by men as well more Army losses than I have suffered across all the games of Glori I have played in combined. Yet more proof that compared to some my characters tend towards the soft soft, cuddly and peaceable type's.

Stuart Bailey wrote:

Jason2 wrote:

Hapsburg wrote:Finally managed to compare the September and October newspapers. The Duke of Duras’ 3rd Army of Paris departed Verdun during September with 44 battalions and 120 squadrons, but was harassed by hussars and suffered mass desertions.

The 3rd Army of Paris entered Paris during October with only 19 battalions and 20 squadrons I expect the King’s Guard are elite so it remained intact whereas the vast majority fled.

That is a lot of soldiers to mislay.  Let's hope they've gone home or offered their services to other nations rather than decided to become bandits or the like!

Wow 25 Battalions and 100 Squadrons of Cavalry in a month - that is by numbers of units at least and perhaps by men as well more Army losses than I have suffered across all the games of Glori I have played in combined.  Yet more proof that compared to some my characters tend towards the soft   soft, cuddly and peaceable type's.

I wonder if the 3rd Army had a SL that contributed to this. I had a delayed order fulfilled recently which had the highest one off SL attributed to it.

Doubt it would have been as bad if I'd not sent loads of orders to Richard causing the backlog and formation orders completed during months I wouldn't usually plan them.

The 3rd Army of Paris had a number of issues that contributed to the desertion of its worst units.  

I never carryover any unimplemented orders; discarded to void any unexpected problems, so every turn I start with a clean sheet.

Peace at last! Remarkable when you look back at the number of years Austria spent fighting France.

Read the newspaper last night, was quite relieved to see we had peace...

...then I got to the bit about the Danes seizing one of my ships to make a point over the Sound Dues. Lord Melville is currently debating whether to be diplomatic or launch "Operation Stag-do" and send 10,000 Highlanders to Copenhagen for a weekend...

Jason2 wrote:Read the newspaper last night, was quite relieved to see we had peace...

...then I got to the bit about the Danes seizing one of my ships to make a point over the Sound Dues.  Lord Melville is currently debating whether to be diplomatic or launch "Operation Stag-do" and send 10,000 Highlanders to Copenhagen for a weekend...

Never really heard Denmark mentioned before in game. Does this mean a possible new player arriving.?

The Danish Crown Prince appeared a few years ago in Saxony, but seems content living a wastrels life in Dresden, he is not a fan of the King in Prussia. Stopping Dutch and Scots shipping might prove expensive if King Billy’s Anglo-Dutch fleet rucks up in Copenhagen with Lord Melvilles 10,000 strong tartan army onboard.

A few years ago Denmark was active - Steelcity Tyke I believe was the player.

Jason2 wrote:Read the newspaper last night, was quite relieved to see we had peace...

...then I got to the bit about the Danes seizing one of my ships to make a point over the Sound Dues.  Lord Melville is currently debating whether to be diplomatic or launch "Operation Stag-do" and send 10,000 Highlanders to Copenhagen for a weekend...

When I was playing the very law abideing French Corsairs in G10 - I always paid my sound dues and other Danish taxes when wanting to get in and out of the Baltic with a load of Swedish and Prussian prizes and never had any problems.

So why exactly have the Scots taken up smuggling and considering a refusal to pay perfectly fair and legal Danish taxes?

One reason why Lord Melville should just say sorry, pay the tax and any fine for its avoidance is the fact that the heir to the Throne of Scotland is Princess Anne and she is married to - George of Denmark. So not trashing Copenhagen will probably avoid problems at the next state Banquet.

jamesbond007 wrote:

Jason2 wrote:Read the newspaper last night, was quite relieved to see we had peace...

...then I got to the bit about the Danes seizing one of my ships to make a point over the Sound Dues.  Lord Melville is currently debating whether to be diplomatic or launch "Operation Stag-do" and send 10,000 Highlanders to Copenhagen for a weekend...

Never really heard Denmark mentioned before in game. Does this mean a possible new player arriving.?

It could be a new player and they have just chosen to announce their presence in a very dramatic way. Like Hapsburg said, Denmark was active a few years back but not been for some time. Scotland did do a few things like give their merchants concessions on tax etc...which as I am sure you can all imagine aren't going to last. I normally am very friendly to new players, to help them settle in...but if this is a new player I can't be too helpful when their first act is to seize a Scottish ship...and like Goldstar says, the is always the RN to consider...not to mention the Dutch fleet...

There is a chance it is Agema keeping things interesting. A few years back when playing Persia in a game, i suddenly had Oman opening bases in my territory and when I tried to shut them down, Omani forces resisted. At first I assumed it was a new player trying their luck but after a couple of turns, and discussions with other players, it became clear it was an Agema-controlled position. At that stage Persia was having an easy ride in game and I sometimes wonder if Agema does things like that to make sure we don't get too comfortable.

If this is a new Danish player, that makes three in the last two turns (Ottoman Sultan and Portugal being the other two for those not in G10). The more the merrier I say...though just so long as your first act is not to be nasty to Scotland

Stuart Bailey wrote:

Jason2 wrote:Read the newspaper last night, was quite relieved to see we had peace...

...then I got to the bit about the Danes seizing one of my ships to make a point over the Sound Dues.  Lord Melville is currently debating whether to be diplomatic or launch "Operation Stag-do" and send 10,000 Highlanders to Copenhagen for a weekend...

When I was playing the very law abideing French Corsairs in G10 - I always paid my sound dues and other Danish taxes when wanting to get in and out of the Baltic with a load of Swedish and Prussian prizes and never had any problems.

So why exactly have the Scots taken up smuggling and considering a refusal to pay perfectly fair and legal Danish taxes?

One reason why Lord Melville should just say sorry, pay the tax and any fine for its avoidance is the fact that the heir to the Throne of Scotland is Princess Anne and she is married to - George of Denmark.  So not trashing Copenhagen will probably avoid problems at the next state Banquet.

As far as I am aware, the Scots are being law abiding...and a bit of diplomacy might have been a better first move...and no. Anne is not heir to the throne, well of Scotland at least and I am pretty sure not of England too.  King William has a kid in G10 and that child has been recognised as the Scottish heir.

Besides, given my concessions to Danish merchants on tax, I would have thought there would have been some to mine in return...