The Rise of the Teutonic Empire

Updated Sunday 15 May, 2011 12:18 PM

The Rise of the Teutonic Empire (Part 1)

This TL has a rather peculiar POD considering the ultimate change that occurs because of it. The idea of an influential, powerful and long-lasting Teutonic Empire started when talking with some mates at College. They all like AH as much as I do, and we often have 'what-if' conversations. I mentioned that it would be interesting if another European power came into being. By great power I mean England, France, the various German Empires, Holy Roman Empire etc. The eyes of one of my compatriots, who is currently a student in an Eastern European Studies course, lit up in enthusiasm.

His suggestion was that for some reason (we hadn't worked out the 'why' yet) the Teutonic Empire survived beyond the 1450's and became a great European Power. After much discussion we came up with a suitable POD. The European Bubonic Plague first began in the region of 1334 and lasted until around 1351. It would spring up again sometimes until the 1700's but it would always be contained and far less virulent. However, the POD is a sudden and rampant explosion of the Plague in Europe around 1385, almost as severe as the first bout.

At this time the Teutonic Empire was just beginning, it occupied much of the area we now call Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia etc. The key point is that the Teutons were strongly Protestant. They disliked the Catholic Church almost as much as the Muslims. In the 1334-1351 Plague there were only Catholic 'nations' and therefor the effects of the modest techniques that could be employed to stop the plague were never witnessed on a wide scale. This is because at this time Europe was still in the grip of the enforced ignorance of the Catholic Church. With the Protestant Teuton nation in existence at the time of a plague the mediocre but still quite effective methods of treatment would be used. This would be plausible, as the Protestants are quite sure to do the exact opposite of whatever Catholic policy is at any time and the simple fact that the Protestants have generally been more open to technological development.

After the plague of...1385-1402 lets say died down, the Teutons would be left with a great population advantage. And so the story of the Glorious Teutonic Empire begins..

Early 1386 - The leaders of the Teutonic Order begin using hygiene and quarantine techniques in order to curb the effects of the Plague. This is largely successful, and though the population is effected, in comparison with other nations at the time deaths are kept to a minimum. Thus begins the advantage of Teutonic population.

Late 1386 - Pope Urban VI denounces the use of 'satanic practice' used in the Teutonic Order and commands that all Catholic nations exert their full efforts to destroy the 'heathens'. The Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland (being the only powerful nations close to the Teutons) attempt to take up arms against the Order. Attacks are made by the Lithuanians and Polish simultaneously, however, due to the lack of men these attacks are pushed back by the Teutons. These attacks only fuel the hatred between the Teutons and the Catholics.

Early 1392 - The Teutonic Order begins opening up negotiations with the nations of Scandinavia, much of which (especially in the Southeast) at this time are the remnants of the Viking clans. Alliances with several Clans in the areas which is now Finland and southern Sweden are made through marriage. As well as this the Teutons start slowly moving into Muscovy gradually brining territory into the Empire.

Middle 1397 - The Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland merge into the Kingdom of Poland-Lithuania. It was hoped that the combination of resources would strengthen both their positions in that time of great hardship. This represents a threat to the Teutons, as both the Polish and Lithuanians are strong Catholic powers.

Middle 1399 - The Plague begins to noticeably wane throughout Europe. Borders, which were once tranquil, begin to become battlegrounds over old feuds between nations. The Hundred Years War regains momentum as the English attempt to take the French throne, and the bickering between the smaller states often broke out into full scale war. Teutonia, as it came to be known, was far from this strife. Slowly, in its own corner of the known world it began to build up and expand northward towards its new allies.

Late 1402 - The Plague officially ends and the build up of population and technology all across Europe has to begin again. Almost a quarter of Europe's population has died. The one acceptation of course, is Teutonia. The new nation of Poland-Lithuania begins making vague threats toward Teutonia. War seems set to re-erupt in the east as it has in the west.

Late 1406 - The Ottoman Empire which has slowly been gaining power for the last 100 years, reducing the Byzantine Empire to a shadow of its former self. Now it had conquered much of South Eastern Europe and wanted to spread further into the land of the Christians! What stood in their way were the weakened, but still powerful nations of Poland Lithuania and Hungary. For this reason the Ottomans began gobbling up the smaller states of South Eastern Europe, and never directly challenged the two main Catholic powers in the East.

Early 1408 - With all the smaller states of Eastern Europe now firmly under the control of the Ottomans they can now put their full efforts into crushing the Christian Infidels! A broad attack all along the border is made against Poland-Lithuania, Wallachia and Hungary. At first the Ottomans advance with little resistance taking large chunks of Wallachia and Moldova (vassal of Poland-Lithuania). However, Hungarian forces manage to hold off any further advance by creating a bottle-neck on the Serbian border. All the concerned Catholic nations were forced to bring large numbers of their armed forces to the south of their nations. And away from the Teutons in the north..

Late 1409 - Ottoman forces annex Serbia and re-initiate their advance on Wallachia and Poland-Lithuania. Great advances are made in Wallachia, and the country is almost overrun. The attack on Poland Lithuania stalls however. This may be due to the influx of new units from the north. The Hungarian front remains quite, but the Ottomans begin to build up forces on the Croja/Arta/Zeta (present day Albania) border.

Middle 1410 - After decades of threats and feuding the Teutonic Empire takes the first steps to having its revenge on Poland-Lithuania. Teutonic forces begin advancing on northern Poland and take several small towns. The Polish resistance is minimal and their forces in the region are decimated. Shortly afterwards a broad offensive along the Lithuanian border begins. Again, the Teutons are met with little resistance and take large areas of land from northern Lithuania. The Teutons quickly consolidate the territory they have taken to guard against any reprisal attacks. A retaliatory attack does strike in northern Poland as the last remnants of the Polish northern army attempt to push the Teutons back. Near the large town of Grimwald the Teutons emerge decisively victorious.

Late 1411 - Teutonic forces in the north reach the border of the Republic of Novgorod. Peaceful negotiations are made as to the border rights of the two nations and the delegations depart in peace. The territory of the Teuton's Scandinavian Allies is finally reached. The Ottomans make further attacks on Hungary but to little avail. However, they continue to put pressure on Poland-Lithuania and advance slowly through Moldova. Wallachia, again is almost overrun but is saved at the last moment by reinforcements from the Kingdoms of Hungary and Croatia.

Early 1412 - The Duchy of Burgundy makes peace with the French and leaves the English on their own to fight the war. Burgundy fears not only the Ottoman invasion, but also the build up of surrounding nations due to the emergence of Teutonia as a great power. To this end they declare war on the state of Lorraine and annex the territory in the space of a year. The state of Forez soon follows suit and becomes a vassal of Burgundia. Vienna also emerges as a great sea power, and bullies several of its neighbours into direct occupation or 'merely' vassaldom.

Middle 1415 - The Teutons annex all land conquered during the war and declare victory. This is grudgingly accepted by Poland-Lithuania as they are in no fit state to fight a two front war. The Ottomans continue to advance on Poland, and cracks are beginning to appear in the Hungarian lines. To try and outflank the Hungarians the Ottomans march through Bosnia and smash the Duchy of Split.

Early 1422 - Wallachia as a nation is totally destroyed after the Battle of Transylvania where the Ottomans break through the Wallachian lines and reach the border of the Hungarian province of Transylvania. Catholic forces from the north are now totally diverted to the south to resist the Arab invasion. The Ottomans will have to put in far more effort if they wish to break into Europe in the future. The Burgundian prediction of the great European nations rapidly expanding begins to come true, when The Crown of Bohemia annexes Moravia and several of the smaller provinces to their immediate east. Bavaria also annexes its former vassal states of Blan and Bas. Vienna continues to expand taking several provinces to their south, only stopping when they reach the Kingdom of Naples. Milan, jealous of its easterly cousin Venice, takes the coastal provinces to its immediate south and in a stunning move, declares war on Savoy.

Middle 1431 - The Hundred Years war ends with a decisive victory for the French after the Battle of Brittany where all English territory on the continent is finally returned. France also takes over several of the smaller states to its north. The Teuton expansion in Scandinavia reaches the Union of Kalmar, which comprised all of modern day Norway and Denmark, most of modern day Sweden, and parts of modern day Finland. Relations are strained from the beginning as the Kalmar delegation makes it clear that they wished to annex the area of Sweden now under the control of the Teutons. There was no treaty made here as with Novgorod.

Early 1439 - The fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire takes place and the last vestige of the Roman Empire is destroyed. The city is renamed 'Islamabad' and it becomes the center of the Ottoman Empire. Now that this long conquest is finally over the Ottomans can fully divert their forces to the conflict in Europe.

Early 1443 - Mass expansion of most of the major European powers. Venice takes over almost all of the surrounding smaller provinces. Milan also brings several of its vassal states under it full dominion. The Milan/Savoy War at first goes extremely well for Milan occupying all of southern Savoy within a few short months. However, the Milanians underestimated the determination of the Venicians as 3 months after the wars beginning the Venice-Savoy Alliance is confirmed through the marriage between two noble houses (both alike in dignity.. %}).

Late 1451 - Teutonia solidifies its control over its Scandinavian territory by setting up trade routes and the construction of fortifications. Further advances are made into Finland until the border with the Kalmar Union is again reached. Bohemia takes all of the remaining smaller provinces surrounding it, including the relatively large state of Meissen. Burgundy marches on Luxemberg and annexes the entire region. The English wipe out the last of the Welsh resistance and incorporate that territory into their Kingdom. The Savoy/Milan War turns inexorably in favour of the Savoy-Venice Alliance, Venice has annexed much of eastern Milan and taken many of the small vassal states also. Savoy has taken parts of northern Milan but nothing more. Austria takes advantage of this and advances on the rest of northern Milan. This angers both Venice and Savoy, but they cannot begrudge having an extra ally. Compared to this the conflict with the Ottomans is quite, only a small encroachment of Croatian territory is reported back to the Sultan.

Middle 1458 - The Kingdom of Milan sues for peace. They are reduced to a minuscule rump state, all of their former territory being shared between Venice, Savoy and Austria. Venice receives the most of this territory, Austria receiving a small increase in size to their Tyrol province and Savoy receiving a strip of land on their Eastern border. What was a small encroachment on Croatia has now turned to a full scale invasion! The province of Macso to the south is totally overrun and as Ottoman forces pass through here and into Hungary, outflanking the Hungarian line and pushing deep into Central Hungary, fragmenting the infrastructure. Moldavia is now totally annexed by the Ottoman Empire, and the Jannisary forces begin to attack outlying Lithuanian towns.

Teutonia recognises two major opportunities. The first of these is the numerous small Duchy's and Kingdoms in Northern Europe that they have a border with, and the possibility of an unofficial relationship with the Ottomans. Plans are made to eventually annex these Northwestern provinces and a secret envoy is sent to the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.

Early 1469 - Teutonia advances on the state of Wolgast and wipes out all resistance in only a few months and advancing on the numerous other states surrounding Wolgast. After this the Kingdom of Mecklenberg is invaded in the south, forcing a wedge between them and Brandenberg. Teuton forces scythe backward toward the coast, taking town after town. The armies of Mecklenberg eventually are literally forced to choose the devil or the deep blue sea! Brandenberg is left as it is considered to powerful in itself, and to close a friend of the German Kingdom. In secret a Pact was made between the Teutonic Empire and the Ottoman Empire to launch an all out assault on Catholic Europe. There was obviously great mutual distrust between the two parties but a bargain I made. The Ottoman Empire will receive all territory, which was formerly of Hungary and Austria as well as anything they take west of Austria. And Teutonia takes any territory of Poland Lithuania.

Middle 1476 - Simultaneously, the forces of the Ottoman Empire surge through all of Croatia and smash the state of Hermann. All territory is immediately annexed. From there the Ottoman forces drive a wedge through Austria and Hungary and begin to expand eastwards from this line slowly but surely taking Hungarian territory. With this there is a declaration of war by the Teutons on the Kingdom of Poland-Lithuania, immediately the Polish vassal of Mazovia is annexed and a broad advance all across the Lithuanian border is made. As well as this Teutonic forces with the permission of the Novgorodian government swing around Lithuanian territory and camp at the eastern border, lying in wait..

Early 1477 - Teutonic forces outside eastern Lithuania march into action, beginning the pincer movement that will eventually reach the Hungarian border. Teutonic forces in the north advance at a steady pace, taking special care to treat the peasants in captured towns well, as they also wish to prove that Protestantism is the one true faith. Teutonic forces in Scandinavia begin being raided by forces from the Kalmar Union! The Teutons make every effort to calm the situation, but it seems obvious that the Union is more interested in a war of conquest than peace. Kalmar forces invade southern Sweden and take all but the most coastal region, threatening mainland Teutonia. Attacks are also made into Finland, but these are quickly repelled. The Ottoman attacks have ground to a halt due to many factors. Terrible winter is effecting their troops, the Hungarians are able to better supply their forces as the Ottomans advance further into heir territory, and the Austrians are making repeated attacks on the Ottoman supply lines. Ottoman forces do, however, manage to take most of Transylvania to support their western flank against the Poles.

The fate of Catholicism, Europe and the Teutonic Empire hangs in the balance! Will the Ottomans overrun all of southern Europe?! Will Catholicism fall to the combined might of Islam and Protestantism?! Will the Teutons be vanquished by the Kalmar Union?! Read next months issue to find out.....

Morgan Harvey

harveymorgan@hotmail.com