Vlad the Impaler - Blood Oaths - Extra History - #2
Added 2021-07-23 17:31:00 +0000 UTCMan I swear a blood oath anytime someone slights me in Catan, let alone murder my whole family. Very big of Vlad.
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Comet sighted! -1 stability
Jonathan Luoto
2021-09-12 08:07:59 +0000 UTCMartin, please only post a link to a blog, for everyone who has the time to read through these chronologies. I di, once, over a year ago. It was good. But I had to tap Pg Dn 52 times to get to the bottom of this. I support a few dozen creators on Patreon, and would like to keep up with what they post. You are making that needlessly difficult.
Bill Lemmond
2021-07-30 00:19:01 +0000 UTCWill the 1958 film version of Dracula featuring Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing be mentioned when you do your episode on Dracula the book? 1351 In the Kingdom of Morocco, the Islamic Scholar Ibn Battuta sets out from Fez and makes his way to Sijilmasa, a Town Right on the Edge of the Sahara Desert, where he Buys Camels and stays for Four Months. 1352 In the Kingdom of Morocco, the Islamic Scholar Ibn Battuta again sets out with a Caravan and, after 25 Days, Arrives at the dry Salt Bed of Taghaza with its Salt Mines, that has Recently become a Part of the Empire of Mali. After a Ten ~ Day stay, the Caravan sets out for the Oasis Town of Bir el Ksaïb, where it stops for Three Days to Prepare for the Final and most Dangerous Leg of their Journey across the vast Desert. A Scout is sent ahead to Oualata to Arrange for Water to be Transported over a Distance of Four Days’ Travel where it will Meet the Thirsty Caravan. When, in Oualata, Ibn Battuta Meets the Local Malian Governor, Expecting to be given a Monetary Gift, feels Offended when, instead, he is given a Meal of Yogurt and Honey [as per Mali Tradition] and feels further Insulted when the Governor Speaks through a Herald rather than to him Directly. In the Mali Empire, from Oualata, the Terminus of the Trans-Saharan Trade, the Islamic Scholar Ibn Battuta Travels Southwards along the River Niger [which he Mistakenly Believes to be the River Nile] he both Marvels at the Empire’s Security, being Free to Travel without the Fear of Bandits, and is Shocked to Discover that, while the Ruling Classes have Embraced Islam, the Majority of the Population still Follow Traditional East African Religions, and, when he does Reach Timbuktu, he is Disturbed to see the Mansa’s Daughters Walking around the Palace Courtyards topless, which he Considers Unbecoming for a Muslim, and is even more Disturbed to see Soldiers standing before Mansa Suleyman Keita, Telling him of their Bravery in Battle while others twang the Strings of their Bows to Confirm they have seen the Deed. When Ibn Battuta Meets the Mansa, he is given a Gift: a Piece of Beef, Three Bread Cakes, and a Calabash of Sour Curds, and Bursts out Laughing at “the Mansa’s Legendary Generosity.” 1353 In the Songhai Empire, after his stay in Timbuktu, the Islamic Scholar Ibn Battuta Travels down the River Niger in a Canoe Carved from a Single Tree to Gao, an Important Economic Centre. During the Journey, he First sees a Hippopotamus. After spending a Month in Gao, he Joins a Caravan Heading for the Oasis Town of Takedda. During this Journey, he Receives a Message from Sultan Abu Inan Faris of Morocco Commanding him to Return Home. He turns around and sets off for Sijilmasa, Accompanying a large Caravan of 600 Female Slaves. 1355 In the Kingdom of Morocco, the Islamic Scholar Ibn Battuta Completes his Memoirs, “The Travels.” The Book, however, is not Perfect and, at First, Attracts very little Attention. Ibn Battuta had made no Notes and so has had to Work from Memory, and as a Result, sometimes gets Dates wrong or Events Mixed up. To try and fill in the Blanks, Ibn Battuta Copies Accounts by Earlier Islamic Travellers [in Particular Drawing upon the Works of Ahmad Ibn Fadlan] Leading to some of his Fellow Qadi to Accuse him of being an Uneducated Liar. He Settles down in Tangier as a low-Level Qadi, and gets Married again. 1357 3rd October In the Kingdom of England, the Treaty of Berwick is Signed in the City of Berwick-upon-Tweed by the Kingdom of Man, bringing the Scottish War to its End. Under the Terms of the Treaty, England will Recognise David II and his Successors as Kings of Scotland and will no longer Demand Fealty or Taxes from Scottish Lords. The English Demand a Ransom of £67,000 for the Release of King David II of Scotland, to be Paid Annually over a Period of 10 Years. 1365 9th October In the Egyptian Empire, One of the last Successful Battles of the Occurs when, Learning of a Planned Egyptian Attack against his Kingdom of Cyprus, Peter I of Cyprus Sails with a Mixed Force of Cypriot and Western European Knights and Raids the of Alexandria, Burning and Looting the for Days, Killing Thousands and taking 5,000 as Slaves. [Mosques, Temples, Churches, and the Great Library also Bear the Brunt of the Raid] 1369 In the Kingdom of Morocco, the Islamic Scholar and Explorer Ibn Battuta Passes away in his House in the City of Tangier, Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima. He will be Remembered by Future Historians as One of the Greatest Travellers of all Time, and will often be Compared with the likes of Marco Polo, Ferdinand Magellan and Leif Erikson. His Book, “The Travels,” will be Considered an Important Account of much of the 14th Century World, as well as a way of Understanding the Breadth of Islamic Religion and Culture during the Medieval Age. It will also, however, be Remembered for being the Book that Spurs Western Europe into Building Ships Capable of Crossing the Atlantic, and for making China Aware of the Americas through Translations, a Copy of which will, Eventually, find its way into the Possession of a Muslim Eunuch Named Zheng He. The Mayans and the Aztecs themselves, Realising that their Goods are Coveted by Europeans after Ibn Battuta’s Visit, will start sending more Caravans Northwards. 1384 In the Empire, Timur Conquers the Northern Territories of the Empire in Western . 1387 In the , Timur Arrives with his in Isfahan. The City Immediately Surrenders, so he Treats it with Relative Mercy as he does with all Cities that Surrender. 1398 17th December The Timurid Empire under Sultan Timur Invade the Abbasid Caliphate, which has been Weakened by Four Years of Civil War. Following his Victory, Timur’s Islamic Troops Sack Delhi and Massacre Thousands of the City’s Hindu Inhabitants. The Abbasid Caliphate Splinters into a Collection of small, Warring States. 1400 16th September In the Kingdom of England, Welsh Leader Owain Glyndŵr Assumes his Ancestral Title, Prince of Powys, in the Presence of his Eldest Son, Gruffudd, his Brothers-in-Law, and Bishop John Trevor of St. Asaph, Signalling the beginning of an Armed Rebellion against the English. The First Welsh War of Independence has begun. In the Sultanate of Rum, an Earthquake in the City of Bodrum, , Shatters the Columns of the Mausoleum of Mausolus, sending the Bronze Chariot Crashing down and leaving only the Base still Recognisable. By this Time, the Chinese Empire has been Extending its Power out to Sea for the last 300 Years. To Satisfy ever Growing Demand for special Spices, Medicinal Herbs, and Raw Materials, Chinese Merchants have Developed a Rich Trading Network Extending from the Islands of Southeast Asia to the Fringes of the Indian Ocean. Yet, Despite the Fact that their Ships have been Trading in the same Region for Several Centuries, Egypt and China have had no Direct Contact. No Egyptian Ship has Travelled as far as China, and no Chinese Ship has Paid a call on an Egyptian Port. This is about to change. By the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, China has reached a Peak of Naval Technology Unsurpassed [at least for now] anywhere in the World. Using many Technologies of Chinese Invention, Chinese Shipwrights have also Combined Technologies they have Borrowed and Adapted from the Seafarers of Sri Vijaya and Japan. Advances such as Double ~ Hulled Ships Divided into Separate Watertight Compartments, the Sternpost Rudder, Lanteen Sails, and the Magnetic Compass, have Combined to Produce Ships far Superior to anything in Europe or Asia. Both the Song Dynasty, and their Successor, the Mongol Yuan Dynasty, Encouraged Commercial Activity and Maritime Trade, so the Succeding Ming Dynasty Inherits large Shipyards, many Skilled Shipwrights, and Finely Tuned Naval Technology from the Dynasty that Preceded it. By this Time, Pressure from Vinland to the North has Lead to the Formation of a Native American State to the South. This Confederation of Chiefdoms, Called the Kingdom of Mvskokia, is a Society Based on the old Southeastern Mississippian Society, with the Addition of Iron Working and European Domestic Animals. The Population in this has Recovered quite Strongly from the Epidemics brought by the Europeans over the Past few Decades, and they Receive help from a Surprising Source: Aragon, who, having Established their Colonies in the Caribbean, find the Mvskokians a useful Buffer between their Own and those of Vinland to the North. The Aragonese Supply Firearms and Ammunition, which Strengthens the Resistance the Mvskokians are Able to put up against Vinlandic Incursions into their . The Aragonese also Sign a Treaty Pledging to come to Mvskokia’s Defence should Vinland Attempt to Invade the . Vinland does not Attempt to do so, and the Mvskokians are Able to Maintain themselves in a somewhat Uneasy Peace for the next 200 Years. 1402 In the Emirate of Granada, Emir Muhammad VII of Granada “Neglects” to send Aid to Castile during a against Portugal. After this, Granada is Effectively Free and, Increasingly, they can Pocket the Gold from the Saharan Trade Routes for themselves. 1403 In the Chinese Empire, the new Ming Emperor, Huangdi Zhu Di, Known to History as the Yongle Emperor, wanting to Impress China’s Power upon the World, as well as Show off China’s Resources and Importance, Orders the Construction of Special “Treasure Ships,” Ships over 400 Foot long, 160 Foot wide, with Nine Masts, Twelve Sails, and Four Decks, each large enough to Carry 2,500 Tons of Cargo, each Armed with Dozens of small Cannons. Accompanying those Ships will be Hundreds of smaller Vessels, some Filled only with Water, others carrying Troops, or Horses, or Cannons, still others with Gifts of Silk and Brocades, Porcelain, Lacquerware, Tea, and Ironworks that will Impress the Rulers of far ~ Flung Civilizations. The Yongle Emperor Selects Zheng He, a Muslim Eunuch, to Command this Fleet of Exploration. In the Chinese Empire, the Yongle Emperor Orders the Rebuilding and Expansion of the Great Wall. While Parts of the Wall have Existed since the Time of the Qin Dynasty, only now is it Built into the One continuous Fortified Structure we Know today. 1405 11th July In the Vijayanagara Empire, Admiral Zheng He’s Treasure Fleet of 317 Ships stops in Champa, the Khmer Empire, and then on to the Islands of Sri Vijaya, to Points along the Strait of Malacca before Proceeding to its Main Destination of Kozhikode, in the Empire of Vijayanagara in Southern India. 1407 In the Vijayanagara Empire, Admiral Zheng He takes 68 Ships to the Court of Vijayanagara to Attend the Coronation of a new King. 1409 In the Chinese Empire, Chinese Troops Conduct Notably Destructive Punitive Raids against the Mongols, and the Mongols themselves make Several Incursions into China. In the Kingdom of Sri Lanka, Admiral Zheng He takes the Ming Chinese Treasure Fleet, with 48 large Ships and 30,000 Troops, Visiting many of the same Sites as well as Malacca City on the Malay Peninsula and the Kingdom of Sri Lanka. 1413 In the Persian Empire, Admiral Zheng He takes the Ming Chinese Treasure Fleet of 63 Ships and over 28,000 Men to many of the same Sites as well as the Strait of Hormuz on the Persian Gulf. 1417 In the Egyptian Empire, Admiral Zheng He takes the Ming Chinese Treasure Fleet further than ever before, First to the Port of Aden along the Red Sea and then on to the East Coast of Africa, stopping off in the Egyptian Port City of Mogadishu, Puntland. Egyptian Officials Invite Zheng He to Visit the Pharaoh in his Capital City at Sais, and Zheng He Accepts. 1420 In the Egyptian Empire, Admiral Zheng He and the Ming Chinese Treasure Fleet Sail through the Suez Canal and into the River Nile, Arriving in Sais. He is very Interested to Discover that Egypt Boasts a Civilization far older than that of his Own Empire, a Fact that is Reinforced after Pharaoh Psamtik XVI takes the Chinese Admiral for a Tour down the River Nile on the Royal Barge, Showing him the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, and the Ruined Temple Complexes at Karnak and Abu Simbel, among other things, all of which Impress him Mightily. The Pharaoh, for his Part, is Impressed with the huge Chinese Ships and Especially with the large Number of fine Porcelain and Silks that Zheng He’s Fleet have brought with them. Both Items have been Available for Centuries in Limited Numbers, via Trade with Chinese Merchants in India, or via a Dangerous Overland Route Known as “the Silk Road,” but now the Dazzling Opportunity for large ~ Scale Import Presents itself, and the Pharaoh is very Desirous of Establishing Formal Relations, Including Trade. Therefore, when Zheng He Returns to China, he brings with him an Ambassador from Egypt. It will be the beginning of a long and Mutually Profitable Relationship between the Two Powers. 5th August In the Principality of Wales, Owain IV, Prince of Wales, is Slain in Battle at the Age of 71 in the Welsh March. He will be Remembered by Future Historians as the Founding Father of the Modern Kingdom of Wales, Famous for Leading his Countrymen First to Victory and Independence from the Deeply Hated Oppressor, King Henry IV of England during the First Welsh War of Independence and then, later on, against his Son, King Henry V of England, during the Second Aquitainian War. [although he had to Acknowledge Henry V as his Feudal Overlord to keep Wales from a Return to English Rule under the Terms of the Treaty of ] Welsh Mythology will Recreate Owain IV as the Hero Sleeping quietly in the Hills, Awaiting the Day when Wales will once again Call on the help of someone Bold, very similar to the Legends Surrounding King Arthur. He will also be Recreated as “Owen Glendower” by the 16th Century English Playwright William Shakespeare in the Play Henry IV Part One, a Role that will be much Sought after by Welsh Actors, as a Wild and Exotic Man Ruled by Magic and Tradition. 1422 31st August In the Kingdom of France, King Henry V of England Passes away at the Age of 35 from Dysentery inside Château de Vincennes, Île-de-France. He will be Remembered by Future Historians as One of the Great Warrior Kings of Medieval England, Immortalised in the Plays of William Shakespeare, most Famous for his Military Success against France during the Second Aquitainian War, most Notably his Victory at the Battle of Agincourt, making England One of the Strongest Military Powers in Europe. In the Chinese Empire, Admiral Zheng He and the Egyptian Ambassador Arrive at the Court of Huangdi Zhu Di of Ming China. Formal are Established between the Two Powers and Trade Agreements are reached. A Chinese Ambassador is Dispatched to Egypt. 1st July In the Kingdom of Naples, Aragonese Troops Enter Naples, Uniting it with its Sicilian Hinterland. King Peter IV is Crowned there and Rules the Country in Personal Union with . 1423 In the Empire of , the Beylik of Invades the Empire of after a Substantial Bribe from the Recently Bulgarianised Byzantine Empire, only to Subsequently be Invaded itself by the Byzantine Empire. In the Kingdom of , King Peter IV of Passes away at the Age of . He will be Remembered by Future Historians as the King who Finally Completed the Aragonese Conquest of Naples, Reigning [Briefly] as King of Naples for only One Year, never Achieving the still ~ Greater Feats he Advocated, such as an Aragonese Conquest of Cyprus, Despite now being Master of a Considerable Realm which Stretches from the Pyrenees to Greece via its Ownership of Sicily. In the Empire, in this Year, the First Egyptian Trading Ships Call at Chinese Ports and Chinese Ships begin Regularly Visiting Egyptian Ports, and the Chinese Ambassador takes up Residence in Sais. 1426 12th September In the Kingdom of Denmark, a Son, Eric, is Born in the Danish Capital City of Copenhagen, Capital Region, to King Eric VII of Denmark and his Wife, Queen Elizabeth of Viken. 1430 In the of , an Indirect Consequence of the Increasing Popularity of Chocolate in the is an Increased Demand for Sugar. Chocolate, by itself, is very Bitter and Unpleasant but, of Course, if Sugar is Added, Chocolate becomes not only very Tasty, but almost Addictive! Sugar is, at this Time, an Expensive Product which has to be Imported from and, to a lesser Extent, from the . and Europe have tried Producing their Own Sugar but never with any Great Success, so they Remain Dependent on Imports for now. 1431 In the Khmer Empire, the Kingdom of Siam Invades the Khmer Empire. In the Kingdom of Hungary, a Son, Vlad, is Born out of Wedlock in a Three ~ Story Stone House in the Transylvanian of Sighișoara, , to Prince Vlad II “Dracul” of Wallachia and a Kinswoman of Prince Alexander I “the Good” of Moldavia whose Name has been lost to History. 1432 In South America, the Portuguese Colonisation Fleet Lands on the Coast of Brazil where the Settlement of Macapá is Founded near the Mouth of the Amazon River. They Initially Trade Peacefully with the Natives and begin Exploration of the Amazon River and its many Tributaries. 1444 In the Most Serene Republic of Venice, Fearing the Grand Duchy of Tuscany’s Economic Competition, Venice Declares War against the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. 1446 15th February In the Kingdom of Denmark, ever since the Treaty of Kalmar was Signed in 1431, it has been Stipulated that the Crowns of Viken, Svealand, and Denmark rest on One Head. Denmark is the Seat of this Union, the Dominant State of the North and a would-be Contender to the Influence of the Hanseatic League. Newly Crowned King Eric VIII has not Inherited a Baltic Empire, however; his Predecessor Died Three Months after his Coronation. While the Recently Introduced Sound Toll is a Great Source of Income the Crown has also been Forced to Pawn many of its Lands to the Noble Families of Thott, Gyldenstjerne, Rosenkrantz, Ronnow, and Frille to Pay for the many Expenses of keeping the Union together and the Failed Wars of his Predecessors. If he is to Prevent Royal Power from Weakening, he must get that Land Back by any Means Possible. In the Principality of Wallachia, John Hunyadi, now the Governor-Regent of Hungary, Invades Wallachia to Punish Vlad II “Dracul” for making Peace with the Byzantines and Unexpectedly Breaks through. 1447 In the Principality of Wallachia, Mircea II of Wallachia, the Eldest Son of Vlad II “Dracul,” is Caught by Rebel Boyars at Târgoviște, Dâmbovița , Blinded with a Red hot Poker and then Buried Alive. He will be Remembered by Future Historians as the Elder Brother of Vlad III “the Impaler” whose Deaths Vlad Avenged by Carrying out a of against the Boyars who he held Responsible for his Father and Brother’s Deaths, becoming the Inspiration for the Literary Figure Dracula. In the Principality of , Vlad II “Dracul” is Run down and Killed in the Marshes at the Village of Periș, Ilfov . He will be Remembered by Future Historians as the Father of Vlad III “the Impaler,” although his In the Byzantine Empire, Vlad Dracula Learns of his Father and Brother’s Deaths from Constantine XI, who then Follows up by Appointing Vlad as an Officer in the Byzantine Imperial Army. Despite the Popularity of his Younger Brother, Radu “the Handsome,” Vlad’s Seriousness has Convinced Constantine that this is the Prince he wants Ruling as an . And, Considering how Brutally Hunyadi and his had Murdered Vlad’s Family, Constantine Assumes any chance of the Young Prince Defecting to the Hungarians is most likely Buried Alive along with his Elder Brother. 1448 In the Principality of , Vlad Dracula Invades at the Head of a Byzantine Cavalry Contingent. He has to Accept that the have Captured the Fortress of Giurgiu on the and Strengthened it. In the of , Vladislav II Returns to with the Remnants of his Army and Forces Vlad III to Flee. He Initially Settles in the Byzantine of Adrianople. 1450 1st January In the Italian Peninsula, Humanism has Grown into a more Mature Movement, Analysing the Society in which they Live and Comparing it to the Ideals of the Classical Philosophers, ready to Penetrate all Aspects of Society. A new Ideal for Rulers as well as for those who are Ruled is Spreading quickly as the Early Printers can Distribute Copies of these new Ideas. A True Renaissance Humanist is an Expert on everything from Politics to Art, Textual Analysis, Music, and Architecture. The Renaissance has begun, and is now ready to Reshape the World to better fit its Classical Ideals. In the Sri Vijayan Empire, the Great Age of Sri Vijayan Sailing is Drawing to its Close. The larger Populations that the American Crops have Created have Caused a Shortage of Wood in some Places. As a Direct Consequence of Building the Great Chinese ~ Style Junks that the Sri Vijayans need for Travelling the Oceans is often seen as a Waste of Resources. The Sri Vijayans have Sailed as far as is Humanly Possible with the Technology they Currently have, and the Islands of their Archipelago are well Populated. There is no more Virgin Land for them to Sail and Trade over Thousands of Miles for Tools and Slaves is just not Worth it. Sri Vijaya itself Remains an Ocean ~ going Empire and continue to Sail for vast Distances ~ Persian Shahs still Dine on Sri Vijayan Cuisine, Arabian Women still Regularly Scent themselves with Sri Vijayan Perfumes, and European Kings are still Prepared to Pay Jaw ~ Dropping Prices for the latest Oriental Fashions [much to the Disgust of the Religious Authorities] but these Voyages are now the Exception rather than a way of Life. In the United Maori States, the Age of Kingship is now beginning as the now Regular Food Surpluses Developed North of the 40th Parallel are given a Military Application. Before the Spread of the Temperate Maize Cultivars, Supplies have always been Limited during War. Now, instead of Briefly Campaigning before Returning Home when the Supplies run out, Warriors can bring Packs of Corn to Eat with them and Stretch their Ability to stay in the Field. With this Development, Wars in New Zealand are becoming longer and the Stakes for them Grow higher. Instead of Enslavement, Vendettas, and Petty Feuds, larger Wars of Conquest are now Possible with the more Powerful [and better Fed] Chiefs Subduing and Subsuming their Rivals into their Political Control and Create large Kingdoms. Losing a War is Rarely a Disaster in New Zealand. Survivors are Merely told to keep Farming and give the Surplus to a more Distant Chiefs. If they do not Farm Intensively, then the new Cultivars of Maize will be Introduced and Farming will Commence. The Elites ~ Chiefs and their Families ~ are Simply made to Swear to the Victorious and then left as “Bureaucrats” who Supervise the new Conquest on Behalf of the Conqueror, which in Practice Means not a lot changes from Ruling it themselves. There are some Wars that turn Nasty with Chiefdoms Threatening to Wipe each other out but these Wars End less often in Massacre and more usually in Enslavement as the Economic Value of Labourers for Farms is too Great to be Ignored. Some Refugees Fleeing from this Fate Move to the Southern Island, Fighting with the People who are already Living there and Driving them to Sail out to the Islands ~ a Final Chapter of the Glorious Polynesian Expansion. 1458 24th January In the Kingdom of Hungary, Matthias Corvinus is Elected as King of Hungary at the Age of 14. 25th March In the Kingdom of England, Hoping to Reconcile the Warring Factions of the War of The Lions, Henry VI Organises the “Love Day” where, under the Auspices of the at St. Paul's Cathedral, where Certain Reparations are Ordained, all by the 1460 30th December In , , Richard, the Duke of , is Slain in Battle at the Age of 49 near Sandal Castle, West , along with his Younger Son, Edmund, of . His Decapitated Head is then Impaled on a Pike and Displayed over Micklegate Bar at by the Victorious Lancastrians Wearing a Paper Crown. He will be Remembered by Future Historians for his with King Henry VI’s Wife, Margaret of , and a Competing Claim to the Throne which were Leading Factors in the Upheaval of mid 15th Century and were a Major Cause of the War of The Lions. 1462 In the Egyptian Empire, Pharaoh Necho XV Issues an Edict Outlawing Slavery. Despite some Resistance from among the Nemhu [Especially in Ophir, wherein Slavery Remains somewhat useful and Important in the Mining Operations there] the Measure is Ratified by the Council of the 400 Elders. In the Principality of Wallachia, after Radu “the Handsome” takes over the Throne in Wallachia, Vlad “the Impaler” goes to Transylvania to Seek help, where he is Captured by King Matthias Corvinus of and Imprisoned on False Charges of Treason. 1463 In the Egyptian Empire, fed up with being, as they see it, under ~ Represented on the Council of 400 Elders which Advises the Pharaoh [ Proper Receives 200 out of the 400 Seats on the Council under the Current Constitution, while the Nemhu of the other Provinces Share out the Remaining Members, with Ophir Receiving the Lion’s Share, but is, nevertheless, not, in any way, Shape, or Form Analogus to their Portion of the Population of the Empire] and the last Straw is Necho XV’s Edict for the Abolition of Slavery which is Heavily Favoured by the Nemhu of Proper and other Provinces of the Empire, but is Completely Rejected by the Nemhu of Ophir. And so the Nemhu of Ophir Rise in and Succeed in Temporarily Establishing the Independence of their Province from the Empire. Indeed, Controlling the Rich Gold Mines of the Region as they do, they are able [via Merchants from the Songhai, Kanem-Bornu, and the Zulu Republic] to Import large Quantities of Arms and other Military Supplies [from the Byzantines, the Songhai, Kanem-Bornu, and the Kalmar Union] and are therefore able to Field a large Army. Of Course the Pharaoh cannot Allow Ophir, the Foundation of his Imperial Treasury, to Secede from the Empire and sends his Armies South. The Great Rebellion has begun. 1466 In Central Asia, Dayan Khagan Reunites the Mongol Tribes again under a Restored Mongol World Empire. Over the next few Years, they will become a Major Irritant to the , who will Fight Numerous Campaigns, not always Successfully, against them. 1470 In the Egyptian Empire, the Great Rebellion comes to an End when Pharaoh Necho XV Offers an Amnesty to the Rebels if they Surrender and Promises to Amend the Imperial Constitution which Portions out Seats on the Council of The 400 Elders among the Various Provinces on the Basis of Population. The Nemhu of Ophir Accept this and lay down their Arms. Despite the Offer of an Amnesty, Necho has the Ringleaders Rounded up and Fed to the Crocodiles in the Temple of Sobek. Necho, however, keeps his Promise Regarding Constitutional changes, which he, like his Ancestor Psamtik XV, has Engraved for all Time on the Walls of the Temple of Karnak. The Nemhu of Egypt Proper End up with 120 Seats on the Council and the Nemhu of Ophir 100. 28th November In the Vietnamese Empire, Vietnamese Emperor Lê Thánh Tông of Vietnam Launches a Naval Invasion of the Champa Kingdom, beginning the Vietnamese-Cham War. In the Inca Empire, Traders Encounter Outposts of the Inca Empire and Regular Trading are soon Established. Through them, the Inca are Introduced to Iron ~ Working, Cattle, Gunpowder and Firearms, which the Inca Incorporate into their Society. They are also Introduced to the less Welcome Aspects of Contact with the : Smallpox, Black Death, and other Epidemics. 1471 21st May In the Kingdom of England, the Deposed King of England, Henry VI, is Murdered at the Age of 49 either by or on the Orders of King Edward IV inside Wakefield Tower of the Tower of London. He will be Remembered by Future Historians as a Weak ~ Willed, Mentally Unstable Monarch, the last Ruler from the House of Lancaster, a Cadet Branch of the Royal House of Plantagenet, as well as for having been the loser of the Wars of The Lions and the Third Aquitainian War. Informally, some will Regard him as a Saint and Martyr, with Miracles being Attributed to him after his Death, although he will never be Canonized. 1473 In the Byzantine Empire, the “Turkish Wars,” [also Known as the “Reconquista”,] a long, slow Reconquest of the Anatolian Peninsula from the Various Turkish Beyliks, begins. It will be Marked by short Bursts of Activity Followed by long Periods of Consolidation, with Byzantium Gradually Eating away at the Beyliks, Playing them off against each other, Accepting others as Vassals and even Converting One or Two of them to Orthodox Christianity and even using them to Eradicate the Remaining Byzantine Greek States. 1474 In the Kingdom of Hungary, the Papal Delegate Niccolò Modrussa Paints the only Extant Description of Vlad III “the Impaler,” who he had Met in Budapest. 1476 In the Principality of Wallachia, Vlad “the Impaler” Declares himself Prince of Wallachia for the Third and last Time. In the Kingdom of Hungary, Count Vlad “the Impaler” is Slain in an Ambush along the Road to Bucharest along with his Entire Moldavian Retinue Fighting against Basarab III “the Old.” His Body is cut into Pieces and his Head is sent to his old Enemy, Emperor . He will be Remembered as a National Hero by Future Generations of Romanians who Fought for the Independence of the Romanian Lands against the , , Strigoi [Vampires] and other Evil Spirits while Leading an Army of Gypsies and Angels and will Assert that Vlad’s Acts of Cruelty were Necessary in Order to Secure Public Order in Wallachia. Future Historians will Assert that, had Vlad been put on Trial at Nuremberg, he would have been Condemned for Crimes against Humanity and the Mass Murders that Vlad carried out would Amount to Acts of Genocide and War Crimes by Modern Standards. 1478 14th January The Republic of Novgorod, the last Rus' State not to Recognise Grand Duke Ivan III of Moscow’s Overlordship, Surrenders and is Forcibly into the Grand Duchy of Moscow. 1485 In the Kingdom of , Sir Thomas Malory Compiles Le Morte d’Arthur, the Definitive Version of the Arthurian Legend, Including Excalibur as Arthur’s Sword, while Imprisoned in Newgate Prison. 22nd August In the of England, King Richard III of England is Slain in Battle at Bosworth Field near Ambion Hill, . He will be Remembered by Future Historians as the last King of England, his Defeat and Death Marking the End of the Middle Ages in England. He will also be the Protagonist of Richard III, One of William Shakespeare’s History Plays. 1488 The Most Serene Republic of Venice Annexes the Final Remnants of the Patriarchy of , the Duchy of , which is also Claimed by King Sigismund II of Hungary and has, for Years, been a between Hungary and Venice. Sigismund and Pope–King Innocent VIII Immediately [and Predictably] Declare the Annexation Illegal and Hungarian and Papal Descend upon La Serenissima. 1487 In the Kingdom of Portugal, by Royal Charter, King John II of Portugal Provides for a Permanent Settlement on Verao Island on the same Line as Madeira and the Azores. Due to the vast Distance from Mainland Portugal [and Occasional Difficulties in finding it] Portugal will often have to rely on Vinland to keep the Population of the new Colony from Starving. 1490 In the Holy Roman Empire, as a Part of her Plan to Reunite the Lands of the Roman Empire, Empress Mary of Burgundy Proposes to Western Roman Caesar Alexander IV. In the Western Roman Empire, a Servant tells Caesar Alexander IV about Mary of Burgundy’s Plans for Domination so he Cancels the Marriage on the Day of the Wedding. 1492 31st July In the Kingdom of Spain, Queen of Spain, been Persuaded by Grand Inquisitor Tomás de Torquemada that to Allow the Community to Openly Practice their Faith is too big a Temptation for the Conversos, Issues a Decree Ordering all Jews and to either Convert to Catholicism or leave . 40,000 to 200,000 leave, Heading either for , the , the , or the [the only having ] or to the . 12th October The Inhabitants of the Island of Guanahani Discover a Trio of Ships Sailing Towards their Land. They look like Massive Versions of the Carib or Vinlandic Trading Vessels that Regularly Circle the Island. As the Ships Approach, the Islanders Confer and Decide to Greet them as they would any other Traders, sending out their Own Boats with a few Men of good Standing Dressed in their Finery, Bearing the Customary Gift of a small Peccary. They have somewhat Understood the Intention of the Visitors, but they have Severely Underestimated their Character. The Ships’ Leader, Christopher Columbus, Notices the Gold Jewellery some of the Men Wear and Orders they be taken Hostage. In the Ensuing Struggle, One of the Men is Killed while the others are Subdued and taken below Decks. The Jewellery is Stripped off the Body of the Dead Man and a Boat is sent out to Parlay with the Islanders to get more Gold for the Ransom. Upon seeing the Jewellery, the Islanders Assume the Men have all been Murdered and Attack the Landing Party, Killing Several of them. Columbus will have to look elsewhere to get his Gold. Columbus’s Attempts to Interrogate the Confused and Frightened Hostages Eventually Bears Fruit in that some of them Point West ~ either to State that’s where the Gold Bearing Trade Ships come from or because that’s where Home is in Relation to the Ships and they want to go Home, but Columbus chooses to Believe the Former. He will Sail West, taking the Unfortunate Hostages with him. 28th October In the Taino Sea, the People on the Northern Coast of Coabana Spot Columbus’s Ships Sailing Towards them. Once again, the Ships Cause Consternation which Leads to a Consensus for the Traditional Greetings, but this Time the Locals do not send out Boats to Greet the newcomers, for that is not their way. Instead, they set up their Markets on the Beach with the Local Goods: Shells, Pearls, and Allspice. They also have Gold/Silver Alloy Jewellery, but React with Surprise when Columbus and his Men Attempt to Trade for them. Generally, the People of Coabana Buy Gold from other People ~ it is not something they Sell. Columbus does get Gold in Exchange for his Coloured Furs but he will also bring Back with him a large Cargo of Allspice, another Potential Source for Wealth but not the Instantaneous Wealth that Columbus had Hoped for. Columbus could have gotten more Gold out of the Deal but his Greed and that of his Men Destroys any Plans for Trade. The Rape of a Market Woman by Spanish Sailors Triggers a Riot and Columbus and his Men are Driven off the Island by a Hail of Arrows. This is not the End of his Problems, however. 1493 4th May In the Papal Kingdom, with the Controversy over Threatenning a General War in Iberia, Pope-King Alexander VI [Rodrigo de Borja, an Aragonese Valencian by Birth] Wades into the Controversy by Issuing the Papal Bull Inter Caeteria, Decreeing that all Lands Discovered 100 Leagues West of the are . In the Kingdom of Algonquinland, the Recent Shift of the Fur Trade Towards has Enriched Algonquinland and Created a deep Seated Rivalry between it and . Following a Clash at Ottawa, which Results in the Massacre of outlying Trading Settlements, Land Forts Fire on Algonquin Trade Ships as they try to Enter Ontario. The Great has begun. 1494 7th June In the Kingdom of Spain, Mediated by Pope-King Alexander VI, the Treaty of Tordesillas is Signed by Representatives of the Kingdom of France, Aragon, , and the Papal Kingdom in the of Tordesillas, Valladolid. Under the Terms of the Treaty, France is given Authority of the Western Third of the Island of , Aragon over the Eastern Two ~ Thirds. [OTL Haiti and Dominican Republic ] In Addition, Portugal is Granted all the Islands South of the Canary Islands [whether Discovered or not] along a Meridian 370 Degrees West of the Islands off the West Coast of Africa. 1495 In the Egyptian Empire, the First Prototype Flintlock Firing Mechanisms Simultaneously Appear in both Egypt and in Spain. Compared with the tried and Tested Matchlock, they are still rather Tempremental and Expensive to Manufacture, and so do not Gain Immediate Acceptance. 1496 In the Sultanate of Turkiye, the Second ~ to ~ last Independent Turkic is Conquered by the Byzantine Imperial Army. Only a tiny Turkic State Ruled by the House of Osman Remains as a Byzantine Vassal but its Ruler Mehmed II is, nevertheless, Granted the Title of Sultan by Byzantine Basileus Andreas III. 1497 In the Khanate of Ferghana, Babur, a Descendant of Genghis Khan and Timur, Ascends to the Throne at the Age of 11. 1499 The Kingdom of Hordaland Annexes the Faroes Islands to “Protect” them from the English. In the Queendom of , Appeals for European Intervention in the Great fall on ~ and the other 1500 In the Empire, Climate change, with falling Temperature and Rainfall in some Areas Cause Harvests to Fail and Rivers to overflow their Banks. These Climactic changes also Affect the and , In the Songhai Empire, Askia “the Great,” Ruler of the Songhai Empire, Declares War against the Kingdom of Kanem-Bornu. 1501 In the Khanate of Ferghana, Babur again lays Siege to Samarkand and Briefly Captures the City, only to, in Turn, be Besieged by his Rival, Muhammad Shaybani, Khagan of the Uzbeks. The Situation becomes such that Babur is Compelled to give his Sister, Khanzada, to Shaybani in Marriage as a Part of the Peace Settlement. Only after this are Babur and his Troops Allowed to leave Safely. 1504 In the Arghun Empire, Babur Besieges and Conquers Kabul from the Remaining Arghuns, Gaining a new Kingdom and a Temporary Respite from his Uzbek Troubles. 1505 In the Kingdom of Kanem-Bornu, in a Series of Campaigns, Askia “the Great” Conquers the Kingdom of Kanem-Bornu and Incorporates its Territory into the Songhai Empire. The Catholic League Adopts a Mercantilist Policy Excluding Egyptian and Kalmar Traders from Catholic ~ Owned Ports in the New World. Both Egypt and the Kalmar Union Protest but tak no further Action at this Time. 2nd July In the Holy Roman Empire, 22 ~ Year ~ old Martin Luther is Returning to the University of Erfurt on Horseback when he becomes Caught in a Storm. Luther is Thrown from his Horse when a Bolt of Lightning Strikes the Ground nearby. Terrified of Death and Divine Judgement, Luther cries out, “Help! Saint Anne, I’ll become a Monk!” He, later, comes to View this cry for help as a Vow he can never Break. 17th July In the Holy Roman Empire, Martin Luther leaves the University of Erfurt, Sells his Books, and Enters St. Augustine's Monastery. His Father, Hans, is Furious about what he Considers as a Waste of Martin’s Education. Ambitious for himself and for his Family, Hans Demands that Martin ~ his Eldest Son ~ Honour his Father and Mother by becoming a Lawyer. 1507 4th July In the Holy Roman Empire, Martin Luther is Ordained as a Priest of the Roman Catholic Church. 2nd May In the Holy Roman Empire, Martin Luther Celebrates his First Mass inside St. Augustine's in Erfurt, . Luther’s Father, Hans, having come to Terms with Martin’s Decision to become a Monk, Attends the Service with 20 Companions and makes a large Donation to St. Augustine's Monastery. 1509 21st April In the Kingdom of England, King Henry VII Passes away at the Age of 52 from Tuberculosis in the Palace of Richmond, London, Greater London. He will be Remembered by Future Historians mostly for Launching the Tudor Age, a Time of Expansion, Optimism, and Economic Prosperity, for Overthrowing the Plantagenet Dynasty, who had Ruled since 1154, and for Successfully Restoring the Power and Stability of the English Monarchy after the Wars of The Roses. For the Public, he will be rather Obscure, Overshadowed by his more Famous [or Infamous] Son and Successor, Henry VIII. 23rd April In the Kingdom of England, King Henry VIII of England Marries the 23 ~ Year ~ old Princess Catherine of Aragon in a Private Ceremony outside of the Palace of Placentia, Greenwich. 1510 In the Icelandic Commonwealth, the Kingdom of Hordaland sends a Fleet to try and Force the Island to Submit to Hordalandic Rule, much as Hordaland has done to the Earldom of Orkney and the Faroes Islands. Fearing that Greenland will be next on Hordaland’s List, the Queendom of Vinland sends a Fleet to Supply the Island with Food and Materials. 2nd December In the Persian Empire, Muhammad Shaybani is Slain in Battle against the Persians near Merv, Persia, while trying to Escape. He will be Remembered by Future Historians as the Uzbek Leader who Consolidated the Various Uzbek Tribes and Laid the Foundations for their Ascendancy in Transoxiana and the Establishment of the Emirate of Bukhara. The Islamic Author Nisari Recognised Shaybani as a Scholar of the Quran, and he Maintained Ties with the Distant Byzantine Empire. 1511 In the Kingdom of England, the , who are a Rising Power in at the Time, are Intrigued when they find out about the Spanish/ Voyages. At the Mercy of , , and the [ and are its ] when Trading around the or trying to Round , they Decide they are at Advantage if a New World Exists. 1517 31st October The Ancient Festival of Hallowe’en [also Called “Samhain” in the Celtic Countries] is Observed by many Nations throughout the Western Hemisphere with Trick-or-Treating, Costume Parties, and the Carving of Jack-o’-Lanterns. In the Electorate of Saxony, Angry over continued Clerical Abuses, Martin Luther Nails his Ninety ~ Five Theses to the Door of All Saints' Church in Wittenberg, Saxony-Anhalt. He also Encloses a Copy in a Letter to his Bishop, Albert of Mainz, Complaining about the Sale of Indulgences to help Pay for the Rebuilding of the Apostolic Palace in the City of Rome, Latium. The Protestant Reformation has begun. 1515 25th August In the , the Colonisation Fleet Arrives in the Caribbean. The Lands in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, and there Founds the City of New Palatina. 1519 12th January In the Western Roman Empire, Caesar Alexander IV Passes away at the Age of . He will be Remembered by Future Historians as a rather Weak and Incompetent Ruler under whom the Noble Families Increasingly begin to Rule their Provinces as Semi ~ Independent Fiefdoms, of which the Austrian Hapsburg Family were the most Powerful. He will also be Regarded as Important because he had Died without any Sons to Succed him, leaving the Senate of Rome to Elect a new Caesar from among themselves. 2nd May In the of , Italian Polymath Leonardo da Vinci Passes away at the Age of 67 inside the Château du Clos Lucé, . His Fame at the Time of his Death is such that it is Claimed he will Die in the Arms of of . He will be Remembered by Future Historians as One of the most Influential People of the , usually Credited with starting the High , and had all of Leonardo’s Inventions been made to Work, Man might have Landed on the Moon by 28th June In the Roman Empire, Charles V of is Elected as by the Senate of Rome. 20th September In the Kingdom of Spain, the Portuguese Explorer Ferdinand Magellan sets Sail from Sanlúcar de Barrameda in Southern Spain, with Five Ships and 270 Men, most of whom are from Spain, to find a Western Route to the Maluku Islands in Sri Vijaya and Trade for Spices. In the Kingdom of Spain, Ferdinand Magellan’s Expedition Lands in the Spanish ~ Owned Canary Islands to stop for Supplies, as they are Cheaper there than they are in Europe. During the stop, Magellan Receives a Secret Letter from his Father-in-Law, Duarte Barbosa, saying that a Group of his Castillian Officers are Planning a Mutiny and Names Juan de Cartagena [the Captain of the San Antonio] as the Principal Conspirator. Magellan also Learns that the King of Portugal, Sigismund I, has sent a Fleet of Two Caravels to Arrest him. 29th November In the Kingdom of England, King Henry VIII of England has become Frustrated by his Wife, Queen Catherine of Aragon’s Inability to Produce the Healthy Male Heir he so Desperately wants and needs to Ensure the Succession, and his Wandering Eye has fallen on another Woman: Elizabeth Blount, a 19 ~ Year ~ old Maid of Honour to Queen Catherine. 13th December In Portuguese Brazil, upon Reaching Rio de Janeiro and seeing that there are no Ships in the Harbour, Magellan Knows that it is Safe for him to stop and Repair his Ships and Stock up on Fresh Water and Supplies. It has not Rained for Two Months before the Spanish had Arrived, and on the Day they Arrive it begins to Rain, on which Account the Tupi say they have come from Heaven and had brought the Rains with them, and it is Easy for the Spanish to Persuade the Tupi to Convert to Roman Catholicism. The Fleet has brought with them a Great Quantity of Trinkets such as Mirrors, Combs, Knives and Bells Intended for Trade and the Tupi Readily Exchange these for Local Goods such as Parrot Feathers. The Sailors also find that Tupi Women are Willing to Exchange Goods for Sexual Favours. 20th December In Portuguese Brazil, during the Ocean Crossing, the Victoria’s Boatswain, Antonio Salamon, is Caught in an Act of Sodomy with a Cabin Boy, Antonio Ginoves. At this Time, Homosexuality is an Offence Punishable by Death in Spain, though, in Practice, Sex between Men is a very Common Occurrence during long Ocean Voyages. Magellan holds a Trial on Board the Trinidad and Salamon is found Guilty and Sentenced to be Executed by Strangling when the Fleet Arrives in Rio de Janeiro. The Fate of Ginovés will Remain unclear; he is either Thrown Overboard or the Taunting of his Fellow Sailors becomes so bad that he Commits Suicide by Jumping Overboard in Despair. In Portuguese Brazil, Following the Trial, Magellan Holds a Meeting where his Captains Challenge Magellan’s Leadership. Juan de Cartagena Accuses Magellan of Risking the King’s Ships by the Route he is taking, Sailing around the Southern Tip of South Africa. When Cartagena Declares that he will no longer Follow Magellan’s Command, Magellan gives a Signal and Armed Loyalists Enter the Room and take hold of Cartagena. Magellan Brands Cartagena a “Rebel,” and Calls his Behaviour Mutinous. Cartagena Calls upon the other Two Castillian Captains [Gaspar de Quesada and Luis de Mendoza] to Stab Magellan, but they hold Back. Immediately Following this Episode, Magellan has Cartagena Thrown into the Stocks; Magellan could have had Cartagena Tried for Treason and Executed, but Quesada and Mendoza Persuade Magellan to Simply Relieve Cartagena of his Command of the San Antonio and Allow him to Move Freely within the Confines of the Victoria for the rest of the Voyage to South America. 25th December The Nations of the World Celebrate Christmas Day, Commemorating the Anniversary of the Birth of Jesus Christ [also Called “Yeshua” in the Eastern Denominations] on 25th December 1 A.D. 27th December In Portuguese Brazil, after 13 Days, Magellan’s Fleet sets Sail from Rio de Janeiro in Search of a Strait that will Allow them Passage through South America to Sri Vijaya. The Tupi are very Disappointed to see them leave, and Row out in Canoes to try and Persuade them to stay. 1897 26th May In the Kingdom of Great Britain, Irish ~ Born Theatre Manager Abraham Stoker’s Gothic Horror Novel Dracula is First Published in London. It will Influence the Direction of Vampire Fiction over the next . 1921 In the Federal State of -Hungary, the First Film Version of Dracula is a Hungarian Silent Film Called “Drakula halála,” Telling the Tale of a Woman who is Admitted to an Insane Asylum where One of the Inmates Claims to be Dracula. Director Lajthay is both an Actor and the Director. 1958 7th May In the Kingdom of Great Britain, the Gothic Horror Film Dracula, Starring Christopher Lee as the Titular Vampire and Peter Cushing as Doctor Abraham van Helsing, is Released in Gaumont Haymarket in London. Upon the Film’s Release, it Receives Praise from Fans of Abraham Stoker’s Works and the Trade Journal Reviews. As Dracula, Lee will Fix the Image of the Fanged Vampire into Popular Culture and will Add a Dark, Brooding Sexuality to the Character.
Martin Verran
2021-07-27 17:10:08 +0000 UTCWithin my gaming group, we have something worse than a Blood Oath. We have "Deep Phil". Phil was a player who was known to carry a grudge from game to game. Break a pact when it's too late in the game for him to get even? He'd just take it out on you next game. He wouldn't try to win. He'd just make sure you lost, next time y'all played together. And this became known as "Philling" the other player. Then that group started playing the old wargame "Shogun", and they started to differentiate between making a pact with another player, and making a Shogun Pact. A Shogun Pact was a pact you swore to uphold, even if it cost you the game. It's a game about Japanese honor, the players figured. There should be something stronger than just a basic pact. One day, someone broke a Shogun Pact with Phil. So he declared "Deep Phil" on them. For every game he ever played with that player ever after, he wasn't trying to win. He was just trying to make sure they lost.
Thornhenge
2021-07-24 16:54:07 +0000 UTCAside from chickens what other farmyard animals can we expect in this series, hopefully not just as butt jokes?
Martin Verran
2021-07-23 17:45:05 +0000 UTC
