2 Chapter 9

Chapter 9 - 1542 to 155:

Parliament comes to conclusion on July 4th, 1542. 6 of the 10 seats in Parliament vote for tolerance, bringing in a victory for the supporters of the Reformation as the Tolerance Act is passed.

In the 2 years that follow, Protestantism takes an even firmer grasp on Britain and Europe. In the Empire, the movement spreads further north reaching Scotland. France, after losing Paris to the French state of Picardy, converts to Protestant after the population of its new capital Nemours converted.

Emperor Khaine dies in 1544, leaving the 2 year old Duke of Awesome as the child Emperor of Britain. It is dire news for a Britain divided between Protestants and Catholics.

The next year, the first British settlement in the Caribbean is founded on the island of Jamaica. The natives of the island do not welcome their new overlords, and a new army of 4 thousand is raised, along with a small fleet of 1 carrack, 2 caravels, and 4 transports.

The Tolerance Act has done little to stop the persecution against the Protestants, and the Regency Council, made up almost entirely by Catholics, does not answer the pleas for justice. A final ultimatum is given to the government in January of 1545 to better protect the religious minorities, but the Council ignores it. In February, 16 thousand Protestants rise up against the Empire in Colonial Africa.

The main fleet does not have enough flutes to transport an army larger than 11 thousand to Africa, since the creation of the colonial fleets, and construction begins on several more. Britain also asks the Teutonic Order for military access in their colonies, which they grant. The African Army marches into the safety of Teutonic Africa, waiting for reinforcement from the homeland.

Reinforcements arrive in July, bringing 11 thousand men led by General Waffle Aldrien, a siege-specialist inept at leading cavalry charges. They do not engage the enemy until an additional 4 thousand troops arrive, and they march into Sierra Leone in March of 1546.

It is a bloody victory for Britain, but the Protestant menace is gone. The Colony is liberated, and the Empire goes back to the state of pseudo-tolerance.

Another branch of Christendom is formed in the Summer of 1546, and it too begins in Malte.

As the Tolerance Act is even further ignored, the provinces of the Empire demand a change. In September of 1547, the Regency Council finally relents and they make significant changes for the better, avoiding another major uprising.

Soon after, Denmark begins its campaign of reconquest against Brunswick, which currently controls the much contested Mitteljutland. Britain joins the war with its ally.

Unfortunately, Picardy, which previously had excellent relations with Britain, sides with Brunswick. Additionally, Norge comes to Brunswick's aid, and the navy's primary objective is set to blockading Norge's ports to prevent a possible offensive against Iceland and the Scandinavian islands. The 1st Army, led by General Waffle, marches into Picardy.

Instead, Picardy's main army of 18 thousand heads into Alencon. Waffle changes course and intercepts, with the aid of the 2nd Army. It is a victory, and the Picardians retreat to lick their wounds far into their lands.

The large fleet of Picardy wipes out a small trade protection fleet of 3 ships, and the main fleet is ordered to leave an effective blockade against Norge and hunt down the Picardian fleet with the rest.

Paris falls in 1548, with Picardie soon after. The Picardian armies, meanwhile, are marching through Brittany, razing villages along the way. Thus far they have been unable to take down any forts, but it is only a matter of time.

They peace out a few months later, handing over a large sum of money, which Britain gets a large part of. Even with Mitteljutland in Danish hands, Brunswick fights on.

The British armies head back into friendly territory. Brunswick has taken over from Picardy in Brittany, and the capital of Nantes is threatening to fall to the brilliant strategist that is the Brunswickian General Wolfram. The entire British army, with Breton reinforcements, defeat the Brunswick army and destroy the possibility of Breton capitulation.

With the foundation of colonies on multiple islands, as well as on mainland Africa, the British use of slave labor has increased. In 1549, the Pope issues a new Papal Bull condemning slavery of any peoples. The Regency Council refuses to outlaw slavery.

Peace is made near the end of 1550, a total victory for Denmark and her allies. Brunswick cedes Mitteljutland as well as several Germanic provinces.

In May of 1557, Emperor Duke of Awesome reaches manhood, and the Regency Council ends. His brother Qwerty is named heir to the Empire.

This Emperor, in contrast to the last one, is privately a Protestant, while outwardly just a sympathizer. By now, more than half of the Empire is Protestant, and it seems there is nothing that will stop the total conversion. The end of Catholic Britain is near.

In other news, the first European colony in South America is the Teutonic settlement of Rio de Janeiro.

NOTE:
-Well I'll be damned... A started off strong, then B made a sudden comeback at the very end!
-I know, 16 THOUSAND heretics in a small, African Colony...
-I think I will recolor the Teutonic order. I don't much like dark grey.