G7....War declared

G7 turn (February 1718) has arrived and for the benefit of non-players here are the highlights in what seems to be an unexpectedly quiet turn:

1. In The Hague, Prince Friso has convinced the States General to reduce tariffs levied against English merchants, which will be reciprocated as soon as possibly by England.  Meanwhile King Charles XII of Sweden seems to be the favourite to be elected Stadtholder of Guelderland.  I’m not quite sure why King Charles would wish to be elected to anything since he is a King which surely outranks being a Stadtholder of part of UDP, but perhaps it will push him further up the honour table?

2. Chevalier Charles Wogan has been appointed as Colonel of the Irish Guards.  In real history he was quite an interesting character – a loyal Jacobite who found King James his Polish bride.  After this (and with no future Jacobite rising being planned) he fought in the Spanish army (unlike in G7, the Spanish had backed the Jacobite cause, so fighting on their side was considered honourable).  When the 1745 rebellion came along he was probably too old to do serious fighting, but naturally backed Bonnie Prince Charlie.

3. King James has also been busy creating an improved Royal Naval Death-in-Service benefit, funding the initial scheme from his own resources and backdating claims to 1706, the date when he came to the throne.

4. There have been various attempts by Spanish irregulars to disturb the rest of French troops and cause general destruction at Lille and Narbonne.  At Paris, King Louis has swept the streets of the poor to please his nobles, possibly as a precursor to a celebration next month.  Spain did not need to wait for this to be done, but held balls to mark the ending of the current sessions of its Cortez’ in Madrid and Pamplona.  Such goodwill did not extend to discussions about prisoner exchanges, though, which still seem to be stalled.  There remains confusion over the Spanish payment to Liege-Cologne to help support Wittlesbach mercenaries, which seems to have gone astray.  Is this another triumph for that fraudster Roderigo Martello?  The Spanish navy also seemed to have the upper hand in the Bay of Biscay as their larger gFrg compelled smaller French frigatas and cutters to withdraw.  In Louisiana, Spain has also bene trying to stir up trouble by using Indians to attack French fur trappers.

5. The Austrian Reserve army has marched into Strassburg with its commander, Field Marshall Ludwig Andreas Khevenhuller acting the part of a military hero.  Perhaps someone should tell him that he has yet to win a battle?

6. The Kalmar Union is trying to build the Kiel Canal, but this project has been hit by delays.  I sympathise having been frustrated myself with similarly large projects, but if they had asked, I might have been able to help.

7. There have been developments in the Russian-Polish war.  King Stanislaus is not best pleased, but has conceded many of the demands under protest – mainly because of the defection of much of Lithuania.  However, peace hinges on a suitable Russian princess who is prepared to convert to Catholicism. England could not be at war with Russia due to prior treaty commitments, but did intervene against Prussia and Austria, saving Danzig and probably Krakov, depending on what Austria decides to do.  Given England remains at war with Austria within Poland (until Austria withdraws), it is highly unlikely that Austria will gain similar concessions.  Time is running out since the start of the campaigning season is near.  It is not clear what is happening in Mittau … Kalmar artillery has moved out of Mittau due to lack of shelter, only then to find it wasn’t allowed back in?

8. There have been a few rumblings of discontent by the rather ungrateful remnants of the Genoese navy against their Spanish sponsors.  You may recall that after France annexed Genoa a couple of years ago, Spain tried to pretend that Genoa was still independent and set up a ‘Genoese Government in Exile’ faction, paying several million pounds to support any forces which would keep fighting.  This is a standard Spanish tactic and was tried multiple times during Spain’s long-running war with England.  This time, though, the Genoese have complained that the refits their ships have been offered in Spanish yards are sub-standard.  Well what did they expect?  They aren’t a real navy, and aren’t really expected to do any fighting – they are merely a political front, a faction created simply to annoy the French.  Perhaps they should just give up the pretence and join the Spanish navy?  The time of players creating pointless factions to hide behind is surely one which we need to move on from?  Or perhaps not since in Milan there are some units in Spanish pay who are ‘technically’ Savoyard (Savoy also having been annexed by France last year).

9. Spain has had more success in Mexico with a new charter and freeing a few slaves.

10. An election has been held for a new Doge of Venice: Givanni II Cornaro.  There is also an advert promoting Venetian trade, so I suspect we have a new player.  You are very welcome. Having played Venice in a previous game, it is a position with a lot of possibilities, and I can recommend A History of Venice by John Julius Norwich if you would like to research your position and gain some ideas.  I found it very useful.

11. Following last month’s blunder (sinking his own trading ships and blocking up Mecca), the Persian ambassador had the nerve to try to blame King James, protesting that he would do it again if necessary.  Not quite sure how he is going to do that given Persian ships seem to have disappeared after sighting a few English ships last month.  There were reports of Persian sailors celebrating (how does a Persian celebrate, and precisely what have they to celebrate about?) in Bandar Abbas.

So there we have it … ahead of the next campaigning season, a rather quiet turn.

Probably a rather quiet turn in the paper as everyone busy clearing sick lists, gathering new forces to replace losses in last campaign season and in case of Spain having rows with their ship builders. Which is perfectly historical as in some wars in this period I am sure Admirals spent more time and effort in rows with their dockyards and suppliers than they did on actually fighting the foe.

Other main reason for nothing much happening is the weather. As its Feb 1718 the fact that its "stormy" in the Med and Pacific and its "wintery" in the Baltic and Eastern Europe is not really a shock. But a bit worried about Southern Climes being "Wintery" surely Feb is mid summer in Cape Colony and what is this going to do too my grape wines in Chile?

Also what is this North/North West Africa - Ice !!??? The Spanish Navy in Oran etc do not expect to have too chip ice off their masts and rigging. We expect it too be warm with gentle winds. Suitable conditions for Xebecs not ice breakers.

Still not sure if G7 is getting some really odd weather or if Russian Map Makers have infiltrated Nottingham?

Ref Papa comments can I just say:-

1) Am I missing a page from the paper? The Navy of Genoa which is now fighting with Spain to free their homeland after the French invaded seem perfectly happy to me, indeed the majority of their ships are shown on my list as "High Morale". The only people who were a bit upset last month were the Spanish Admirals over the design of 27 brand new Spanish built and crewed Frigata ordered for the Med Fleet. The Spanish Navy expects its new ships to be stable, have slanted sterns and improved coppering at the very least. Who do people think we are the Prussian Royal Yacht squadron? the Russians?

2) Basically both the Government of Savoy and the Govt of Genoa are in exile on Spanish territory and elements of their armed forces are now fighting with the Spanish Army and Navy. In exactly the same way as the Jacobite Court went into exile in France and elements of the Jocobite Irish Army joined the French Army or French Protestant Regiments joined the Dutch and English armies to fight Louis XIV ambitions.

Post the French invasions The Republic of Saint George and Savoy are not exactly playable positions for most players unless you are the type of player who is attracted to French Protestants or Jacobites in most games. But can see no reason why allies and members of the Holy Roman Empire would just accept the French conquest. Ditto same applies for the Duchy of Lorraine.

3) No payments to the Wittlesbach have gone missing or been pinched by the favourite bogey man of the Jacobites. Spain paid the Bavarian Branch in Jan 1718 for 1718 but did not get around to paying the other lot in L-C too Feb. Only a month late, by C18 standards this would be shockingly early. So feeling really had done by over loss of honour in Jan 1718 over a few delayed payment orders. Its not as if Spain is not good for sums which were fairly "petty cash" to the Crown of Spain.

4) Spain has returned the paroles of x4 French Battalions already handed over too French following capture of Perpignan and got back the 4th Aragon Regiment who were captured by the French while they were fighting with the Army of Savoy in Turin. The only point which could not be agreed is the exchange of Turin Garrison Commander for Perpignan Garrison Commander.

Its not clear if Louis XIV turned down this exchange because he thinks the Turin commander being a Duke is more valuable than a French General. Or if he is just niggled with French General who surrendered. Or even a bit of both

5) I welcome the growing activity of Portugal, UDP and now Venice. Even if all three powers seem to be trying to remain at peace and take advantage of trade opportunities rather than heroiclly help save Italy, Flanders and Iberia from Louis XIV. Is the French Army in G7 that scary? (probably yes esp too new players). Or do people just have faith that the Noble HRE and his younger brother Charles of Spain can stop the French on their own?

Stuart Bailey wrote:Probably a rather quiet turn in the paper as everyone busy clearing sick lists, gathering new forces to replace losses in last campaign season and in case of Spain having rows with their ship builders.  Which is perfectly historical as in some wars in this period I am sure Admirals spent more time and effort in rows with their dockyards and suppliers than they did on actually fighting the foe.

Other main reason for nothing much happening is the weather.  As its Feb 1718 the fact that its "stormy" in the Med and Pacific and its "wintery" in the Baltic and Eastern Europe is not really a shock.  But a bit worried about Southern Climes being "Wintery" surely Feb is mid summer in Cape Colony and what is this going to do too my grape wines in Chile?

Also what is this North/North West Africa - Ice !!???  The Spanish Navy in Oran etc do not expect to have too chip ice off their masts and rigging.  We expect it too be warm with gentle winds.  Suitable conditions for Xebecs not ice breakers.

Still not sure if G7 is getting some really odd weather or if Russian Map Makers have infiltrated Nottingham?

There is an alternative explanation ... Martel could have convinced some Spanish bankers to lend him money to tow icebergs from the Arctic to N/NW Africa.  Having acquired some suitable ships (there seem to be rather a lot of spare merchant ships around that some players don't know what to do with), he could have found his icebergs and made it to Africa, only to lose control of them and therefore create a shipping hazard.  Result: ice in African waters.  Of course neither Martel nor embarrassed Spanish bankers would admit this, but historically there were companies promoted for such wacky ideas and those who had spare funds for such speculations bought into them.  Of course it couldn't happen in G7 England due to lack of funds, but G7 Spain has plenty of money?

Stuart Bailey wrote:
Ref Papa comments can I just say:-

1) Am I missing a page from the paper?  The Navy of Genoa which is now fighting with Spain to free their homeland after the French invaded seem perfectly happy to me, indeed the majority of their ships are shown on my list as "High Morale".  The only people who were a bit upset last month were the  Spanish Admirals over the design of 27 brand new Spanish built and crewed Frigata ordered for the Med Fleet.  The Spanish Navy expects its new ships to be stable, have slanted sterns and improved coppering at the very least.  Who do people think we are the Prussian Royal Yacht squadron? the Russians?

2) Basically both the Government of Savoy and the Govt of Genoa are in exile on Spanish territory and elements of their armed forces are now fighting with the Spanish Army and Navy.  In exactly the same way as the Jacobite Court went into exile in France and elements of the Jocobite Irish Army joined the French Army or French Protestant Regiments joined the Dutch and English armies to fight Louis XIV ambitions.

Post the French invasions The Republic of Saint George and Savoy are not exactly playable positions for most players unless you are the type of player who is attracted to French Protestants or Jacobites in most games.  But can see no reason why allies and members of the Holy Roman Empire would just accept the French conquest.  Ditto same applies for the Duchy of Lorraine.

3) No payments to the Wittlesbach have gone missing or been pinched by the favourite bogey man of the Jacobites.  Spain paid the Bavarian Branch in Jan 1718 for 1718 but did not get around to paying the other lot in L-C too Feb.  Only a month late, by C18 standards this would be shockingly early.  So feeling really had done by over loss of honour in Jan 1718 over a few delayed payment orders.  Its not as if Spain is not good for sums which were fairly "petty cash" to the Crown of Spain.

With all the £ billions Spain has at her disposal, perhaps it was the shock of Spain paying late which caused the honour loss rather than any issue with the payments themselves?

As for the points about Genoa etc, there really is no comparison to the Jacobites - that discussion we have had plenty of times.  In G7 the Genoese made peace with France and accepted French annexation.  Those few ships which were at sea did not and Spain bribed them to join her forces.  That they are sailing under a different flag and are called 'Genoese Government in Exile' does not mean that they have any legitimacy.  I don't know if France annexed Corsica (which I think was Genoese) or whether the Corsicans have declared independence ... if not (and Corsica still recognises Genoese rule) then perhaps the navy of the 'Genoese Government in Exile' should be referred to as the Corsican navy?  That would at least be more realistic?

Stuart Bailey wrote:
5) I welcome the growing activity of Portugal, UDP and now Venice.  Even if all three powers seem to be trying to remain at peace and take advantage of trade opportunities rather than heroically help save Italy, Flanders and Iberia from Louis XIV.  Is the French Army in G7 that scary? (probably yes esp to new players).  Or do people just have faith that the Noble HRE and his younger brother Charles of Spain can stop the French on their own?  

In the case of Spain in G7, probably.   After all on paper Spain has many advantages: a very capable and experienced player who has been in the game since it started so has been able to
- research improvements,
- build up infrastructure,
- has vast stores of grain,
- is within the top 3 for trade investments in every trade area in the world, so has a ludicrously large amount of money
- build up highly professional and well equipped armies across the world,
- has a player who knows how to fight and has the best understanding of logistics/supply in the game
- has a network of allies
- has a huge honour score

With all these advantages if Spain can't stand up to France and at least make a good attempt at winning a war against her, who can?

I know Spain isn't invincible - after all, England and Spain have been at war a few times, and I'm certainly not a great general.  But England does have the advantage of being an island and able to rely on the Royal Navy.  Consequently in our wars I have been able to use the Royal Navy defensively to limit invasions which makes it rather difficult for even the Spanish-Dutch...etc coalition to make headway.  We are also both players who respect each other and when we realise we are heading for a stalemate, have the common sense to do a deal to make peace.