Spring - 1460

Spring 1460 - "Rage, rage against the dying of the light."


As presumed in my last update, war has come to northern Italy, having had time to think it over I have decided to work smart not hard and prepare a counter assault. Whilst Digging in may be a valid tactic, that worked well for the papal forces, I feel enemy recruitment centres are far enough away from me that if I can shift the front line further from my own lands all the better. Wanting to secure the Austrian income first and foremost I put in orders for two forces to be raised and to march to Tyrolea and Carinthia, whilst my army in Hungary moved to Austria, this collection of positions secures my border from any Venetian assault whilst also reclaims the entirety of Austrian home provinces. Venice, as assumed, moved from Carinthia (though not to Milan, which is interesting) to Tyrolea, leaving themselves with no retreat, and also failed their orders on their army in Fruilii, separating their assault and allowing me to secure Carinthia without battle. The Venetians also fled from famine-riddled Trent and assaulted Milan, where a newly raised force from Pavia had marched to intercept their attack.


Elsewhere I secured Savoy whilst also meeting a Papal landing party in Genoa. The Turks took two more venetian lands whilst the venetians themselves reclaimed Dalmatia. In my head I am trying to make sense of all this land trade between Turkish and Venetian forces, It seems Venice has given right of way to the Turks who appear to be racing up to Austria. However should the Turks claim the whole of Austria, surely the venetians see that they themselves will be the next target once I have retreated further to my own home provinces should this all unveil... I don't see the logic and conclude that Venice are more scared of the Papacy than the Milanese, I simply do not understand why when offered a place on the winning team they decide to join a coalition that will ultimately invade them.


I was also met with disappointment this turn as Naples, who have assured themselves to be my ally from the beginning, failed to do anything to intervene, more concerned about their own hides rather than proving themselves loyal, they even had the cheek to dress their inactivity up as "The best thing that I can do for you". Similarly to Venice I believe that the Neapolitan general is losing his strive to play and is simply too scared of the Papal general to join in, despite the Neapolitan's flawless track record on the field of battle. I realise this is a little harsh on a player who I'm sure has his own agenda, however Genoa is the gate to the north and his fleets could never have been more useful, I just feel that for all his agreement to be an ally, all he has really done to my knowledge is stay neutral.


So in all there are three battles to be fought this Spring, all involving me, which is nice for a change.
Venice Vs. Milan - "Battle for Tyrolea" (Venice has no retreat path)
Venice Vs. Milan - "Battle for Milan" (Milan may retreat to garrison if they wish)
Papacy Vs. Milan - "Battle for Genoa" (Both sides can retreat)


I have also deduced another Coup d'Man which if fully executed could win me the game much sooner than everyone thinks, so watch this space...