Alternate History of Europe Timeline/1

This Alternate History of Europe Timeline is a timeline, created by Calthrina950, which will explore a alternate history of Europe, and eventually, of much of the rest of the world, starting in 1430. It will possibly run for some time. I will try to be historically accurate in some areas, but will also add new events and nations such as Britain will appear on the map earlier. The Byzantine Empire will still collapse, but the Otttoman Empire would also undergo some changes.

=Timeline=

1430
The below is the starting map:



1431
Cardinal Beaufort, shortly after convincing Humphrey, the Lord Protector, to end the War in France, dies. Humphrey begins a withdrawl of forces from France, but at the same time instigates plans to strengthen the English monarchy and to consolidate his own personal power. His plan consists of the following objectives:


 * Reducing the power of the Parliament by rigging the elections for the House of Commons, binding the House of Lords closer to the Crown, and making the position of Speaker of both Houses subject to the control of the Crown. Also, gaining complete control of the power of the purse was a primary goal.


 * Reducing the powers of the bishops and the nobles, by confiscating numerous private properties, placing restrictions on the noble's powers and influence, placing the Church within England under direct royal supervision and control, and subjecting Church doctrine to Royal influence; And


 * Accumlating a lot of personal wealth for himself, in order to make himself richer and more powerful then any other noble, bishop, or person in all of the Kingdom of England.

Humphrey also has ambitions of taking the Crown for himself. He begins instigating his plans by bribing many of the voters in the elections for the Commons, issuing a royal proclamation which places obligations on the nobles, and forcing the bishops to send a report concerning their activites every year.

1433


In Denmark, a Danish botanist modifies the three-crop system, introducing a forth crop into the rotation. He also introduces clover, which increases soil fertility. As a result, production of every acre of land in Denmark increases, and prosperity reigns throughout the Union of Kolmar. As a result, King Eric of Pomerania retains power and becomes more powerful then ever.

With the English reducing their efforts in France, the French, although saddened by the burning of Joan of Arc, launch a massive campaign to regain their lost territories. Humphrey allows them to advance. By the end of the year, the French have annexed Burgundy and regained control of many of their northern territories. France also begins plans of subsuming Provence, Avignon, and Brittany.

In England, Humphrey, the Lord Protector, launches the second part of his plan. He has Parliament pass a law which grants the Crown greater authority over the House of Commons. Humphrey also places the revenues and monasteries of the English Church under Royal control. He also marries off the young King Henry to the youngest daughter of King James I of Scots (Scotland). His primary reason is this: he wants to unify all of the British Isles into one united kingdom, which will eventually become a reality in the next twelve years. Humphrey also gains complete control of military revenue for the Crown, and he reduces' the nobles' control of conscription.

Meanwhile, in the North, English mercenaries, under the orders of Humphrey, establish a close alliance with both Shetland and Orkney. This alliance is more of a "dominant relationship", because England assumes control of both islands' diplomatic and military relations. Yet another foundation in the eventual establishment of Britain is laid.

The Ottoman Empire annexes Albania, which had managed to resist for a long period of time. This is the first step to a campaign which will insure Ottoman dominance in the south-eastern Balkans. The Byzantine Empire suffers a severe plague, which down-scales it's resistance towards the Ottomans and will help pave the way for it's upcoming fall.

1434


Humphrey, the Lord Protector, continues to build up and increase his power. He has Parliament pass a law which allows the Crown to confiscate private property, especially that of the nobles, at the will for the benefit of the kingdom. Humphrey also establishes a Commission of Bishops, which becomes responsible for administering the English church day to day and maintaining control over Church doctrine. He also establishes a new military conscription system, which applies equally to merchants and nobles.

At the same time, Humphrey opens up negotiations with the Kingdom of France, in order to bring the Hundred Years' War to a end. He proposes a treaty which is lenient to both sides: England would secede to France Brittany and most of it's other remaining French territories, except Calais; the English Crown would drop it's claims to the French Crown; and both countries would have a economic alliance. The French accept, signing the Treaty. The Hundred Years' War is finally over.

The Holy Roman Emperor, Sigismund, is confirmed in his position as King of Bohemia, with the conclusion of the Hussite Wars in a Hapsburg victory. He begins a process which will eventually transform Bohemia into a major power in the Balkans, to rival the Ottoman Empire. Sigismund reorganizes the Bohemian government, places the nobles under central control, and expands Bohemia's military. He also begins building up his own personal treasury as well.

1436


Humphrey, the Lord Protector, begins making further preparations. He arranged for King Henry VI to appoint him the lord treasurer and chief privy councilor, after his regency would end the next year, in 1437. He also gathered a base of supporters, assembled his own private army, and amassed more influence at the court. The final reform Humphrey pushed through before the end of his regency was the reorganization of the levies system, which increased England's revenues five fold.

The Khanate of the Golden Horde, in eastern Europe, begins to suffer more internal troubles. The Tatar khan fell into severe political disputes with many of his leading generals and advisers. Muscovy, still a dependency of the Tatars at this point, is becoming increasingly restless and rebellious, although remaining subordinate. To the west, Poland-Lithuania launch constant pillaging operations and raids, as does the Genoan territories in the south. This will pave the way for the disintegration of the Khanate in the 1440s.

The Ottoman Empire expands to the East, conquering many of the territories of the Turkish Emirates. This campaign is lead by Turkish Grand Vizier Ahmed Hazi, who will be destined to become one of the greatest rulers of the Ottoman Empire. Hazi encourages the Sultan to establish a temporary peace with Venice, Genoa, and the Byzantine Empire, in order to concentrate on building up the Turkish military.

1437
In England, King Henry VI turns 18 and officially assumes power. Humphrey becomes his Chancellor and Head of the Privy Council. In Scotland, King James I dies, and his eldest daughter, Margaret, (married to Henry) ascends to the Scottish throne. Henry thus becomes King Consort of Scotland. As such, Henry and Margaret become known as the "British Monarchs", since they each had their domain which they ruled over, and that will pay the way for the upcoming unification of Britain.

The King of Portugal, Edward I establishes the Royal Academy of Navigation, influenced by the renowned Prince Henry the Navigator. This academy will become one of the greatest schools of navigation and science in all of Europe. Edward I also begins planning for a expedition to Africa, for purposes of "trade with the natives in goods and servants (slaves)".

1440


Chancellor Humphrey persuades King Henry VI and Queen Margaret I to issue a joint royal proclamation, concerning both Scotland and England. This proclamation laid another foundation in the process of the unification of the British Isles, and laid out the following two basic objectives:


 * The Kingdoms of England and Scotland were to conduct free trade with each-other, under such regulations as would be provided by the Monarchs or the Parliaments of the two Nations; the ports of both nations would be open to each-other, and subjects of one would be able to freely cross the boundary into the other nation
 * Scotland would terminate it's Auld Alliance with France, instead establishing a similar diplomatic alliance with England. In this alliance, both nations would pledge to support each-other in all wars, and if one was invaded, the other would have to send troops in support of the nation attacked. Scotland and England also agreed to not sign any peace treaties or agreements deterring in interest to the other.

Humphrey also persuaded King Henry VI to exert more direct control over the Lordship of Ireland. The Irish military and parliament would both be placed under English supervision, Ireland would be divided into English-style boroughs and parishes, and the King would appoint a personal Representative in Ireland who would enforce English laws and maintain order. Again, this is another preparation step for unification.

Meanwhile on the continent, France annexed Provence and secured a agreement with the Papacy which allowed it to subsume Avignon. King Charles VII had a "French Unification" policy, which basically meant that every step would be taken to bring all of the ethnic French lands under one state. Charles VII reorganized the French government, establishing a Central Council (Le Conseil central). This Council would consist of members appointed and dismissed by the king at will. Their primary duty would be to provide advice to the king and run the day-to-day operation of France. The Council was a innovation, rapidly becoming the primary body of the French government. Charles VII also reorganized the entire nobility system, dividing France into five duchies, eight earldoms, and two viscounties.

1441


The Ottoman Sultan Murad II dies when he falls off his horse while out on a royal hunt. In his will, he named his Grand Vizier, Hazi, his successor, instead of his son Mehmed. Hazi changes his name to Hatui, becoming Hatui I of the Ottoman Empire. He will become one of the greatest monarchs of the Ottoman Empire in it's history, and one of the longest-reigning. Hatui I has himself coronated, the first Ottoman Sultan to being crowned in such a manner. He then begins preparing for war with Hungary in the north-west.

Scotland annexes the Lordship of the Isles, thus extending it's territory to the north-west. It receives support in this endeavor from it's southern ally and neighbor, England. Meanwhile, Humphrey has King Henry V annex Orkney and Shetland, after having been on a diplomatic-military protectorship arrangement with those two states for a number of years. The unification of the British isles is rapidly approaching, and will change Europe in many ways.

Haci I Giray, the governor of the Crimean province, secedes from the Khanate of the Golden Horde, with the support of the Kingdom of Poland-Lithuania. Haci I establishes the Giray dynasty, and proclaims the existence of the Khanate of Crimea. He will become the most successful Crimean khan. Haci I establishes a standing army and opens relations with other European nations, including Poland-Lithuania, England, and the Ottoman Empire. He also supports the arts. The Crimean Khanate becomes the first part of the Golden Horde to split off.

Portugal launches a expedition to Africa. In this expedition, at least 20 Africans are captured and enslaved by the Portuguese expeditioners. The slaves are presented to the Portuguese royal court in Lisbon. Thus the Atlantic slave trade began. The expedition also gathered extensive information on Africa's local states, economy, resources, geography, and climate, which will prove useful to the Europeans in later years. This information is compiled in a journal, which is published across Europe. Other nations such as England begin to develop a interest for Africa as a result.

1442


King Eric of Denmark dies, and is succeeded by his daughter, Mary. She will become renowned for her domestic reforms and promotion of the Danish economy. Queen Mary I marries Ludwig Ferdinand, a prince of the Holy Roman Empire. They will eventually have five children: Eric, Charles, Robert, Ludwig, and Joanna. All of these children will be married into other European royal houses, including those of Britain, Muscovy, Castile, and France.

Sultan Hatui I instigates another war in the Balkans. The sultan has three primary targets: Venice, Hungary, and the Byzantine Empire. He begins his military campaigns in the region by assaulting the Byzantine Empire, which by then had shrunk to only Constantinople and a couple minor territories scattered across Anatolia and Greece. Hatui I leads these campaigns personally, and becomes known for his military prowess, his leadership, and his determination. By the end of the year, the Byzantines have lost many of their territories and are forced to become a Ottoman protectorate.

In the Holy Roman Empire, the Emperor convenes a session of the Imperial Diet. He firmly believes that every proper monarchy, state, and empire, deserves to have a general code of laws and a detailed, organized system of government, both local and central. He also believes in reducing and restricting the rights and powers of the nobles and princes. The Emperor pushes the Golden Bull of 1442 through the Diet. The Bull lays out the following:


 * Amendments are made to the Golden Bull of 1356. These amendments reorganize the system of electors and set out new procedures for the election of the Emperor. The electors would be the Elector of Brandenburg, the Elector of Bavaria, the Archbishop of Cologne, the Elector of the Palatine (Rhineland), the King of Bohemia, the Elector of Hanover (a newly-created electorate), the Archbishop of Trier, and the Archbishop of Nuremberg. On the death or abdication of a emperor, the Electors would meet at either Augsburg or Madgeburg, and would vote by ballot for the candidates, who would be the applicants for the position. A candidate had to be male, over twenty years old, and hold some sort of position of nobility. He also had to be a property-owner. If no candidate received the two-thirds vote, then the Diet would choose from the top two vote-getters the Emperor. In the meantime, a Board of Imperial Councilors would operate the Empire until a new Emperor was elected.


 * The Empire was to consist of four electorates, five archbishoprics, eight princely states, and five duchies. This was a much smaller amount then the almost three hundred states the Empire had before. This reduction of the number of local states also streamlined and simplified local administration. The electorates would hold the most privileges, including rights of war and diplomacy, followed by the princely states, then the duchies, and finally, the archbishoprics. The electors would be appointed by the emperor; the archbishops also by the emperor; while the princes and dukes would come to power through hereditary inheritance. Each state was to have a local assembly, a treasury, and a army, but all would be under supervision of the Emperor and the Diet.


 * The Imperial Diet would consist of five hundred members, appointed by the various electors, princes, and dukes; the highest-ranking Diet members would be appointed by the Emperor. The Diet would have the power to raise and fund armies, ratify, reject, or nullify treaties, pass legislation in the Empire, supervise the affairs of the local states, and supervise the government. The Emperor could call and dismiss the Diet at will; he would also set out Diet procedures and would preside over all sessions. The Emperor's assent would be required for all pieces of legislation. He could also introduce and modify legislation at will, within certain limitations concerning taxes and levies.


 * The Emperor would be the supreme military commander and monarch of the Empire. He would be advised and assisted by a Imperial Council, who would be appointed and dismissed by him at will. The Emperor would hold supreme command over all Imperial armies, and he would also be the overlord and superior of all of the electors, princes, archbishops, and dukes of the Empire, holding the power to supersede their decisions at will; the Emperor would also be in charge of the Empire's Church manners, in accordance with the rule of the Pope.

The Bull also described the organization of the military, the basic governance of foreign relations, and punishments for treason and other major crimes. It was nearly 100,000 words long, and was well-written and organized, similar to Roman governmental documents. It was the most-detailed law in Europe at the time, and one of the longest. This Bull strengthened and stabilized the conflicting government structure of the Holy Roman Empire, and, along with the Golden Bull of 1356, served as it's constitution.

1443
Sultan Hatui I, inspired by the Golden Bull in the Holy Roman Empire, issues the General Code of Laws in the Ottoman Empire (Genel Ahlak Kanunu Osmanlı imparatorluğu'nda). The Code is almost as detailed as the Golden Bull. It describes the absolute powers and unique position of the Sultan, outlines the frame of the Ottoman Royal Court and government, organizes the Ottoman military, and establishes other matters as well, including religious and finanical matters. It also contains a list of all laws and decrees in the Ottoman Empire from 1281 to 1442. The Code comes out to 78,000 words, and will serve as the constitution of the Ottoman Empire.

The British Monarchs, Henry VI and Margaret I, have their first child, Mary. Mary is baptized at Westminster Abbey and made Duchess of York upon her birth. They will have four other children, all of them female: Catherine (born 1444), Elizabeth (born 1446), Margaret (born 1448), and Joanna (born 1451). All of their children will be married into other European royal families. Meanwhile, Humphrey, the Chancellor, begins communicating to the two Monarchs his belief that a united kingdom of the isles of Britain would be beneficial to both monarchs, as well as to England and Scotland. It will be another two years before Henry and Margaret take this idea into complete consideration.

Further internal disputes erupt in the remaining territory of the Khanate of the Golden Horde. The khan engages in a series of arguments and confrontations with many of the most powerful nobles and officials in the khanate. To the south-west, the Crimean Khanate, under the direction of Haci I, begins launching devastating raids and pillaging operations, which plunges the Golden Horde into further conflict. A ambitious Tatar man establishes a mock court at Kazan. This will eventually lead to the secession of Kazan and it's territories from the Horde.

1445


King Henry VI and Queen Margaret I of England and Scotland finally accede to Humphrey's proposal of a unified Britain. Representatives from both nations, appointed by the two Monarchs, begin negotiations at Westminster Palace. After months of wrangling, argument, and discussion, the Delegates signed the Treaty of Union 1445 on March 19, 1445. They then submitted it to the Parliaments of England and Scotland. The English Parliament ratified the Treaty on April 3. It passed largely due to the King's considerable influence in the House of Lords. On April 18, the Scottish Parliament ratified the Treaty. On April 30, King Henry VI and Queen Margaret I jointly granted ascent to the Treaty, which came into effect on June 5. The following terms were laid out:


 * Starting on 5 June, and "forever after", as stated in the Acts, the two Kingdoms of England and Scotland, including the territories in Ireland, would be unified into one kingdom, to be stiled the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. King Henry VI and Queen Margaret I would continue to reign jointly over the new United Kingdom, but after their deaths, there would only be one British monarch. The ensigns, flags, banners, and seals of the United Kingdom would be determined by the King and Queen through Royal Decree.


 * The succession to the Royal Crown of Britain, would be determined by a Law of Succession, that would be issued by the Parliament of the United Kingdom after the Treaty was ratified. Until such Law was issued and passed, Succession would be regulated by the rules of Succession in the previously-existing Kingdom of England.


 * The economic provisions of the Joint Royal Proclamation of 1440 would continue to remain in effect. Further modifications were made. A detailed list of taxes, regulations on commerce and trade, and regulations on the conduct of merchant and naval vessels were outlined in the Treaty. Free movement across Britain would be guaranteed for every subject, including all "currently serving servants, villagers, or workers (serfs) whereof on the estates and Farms of the Nobles of this Kingdom". This provision effectively ended the system of serfdom.


 * The Parliaments of the Kingdoms of England and Scotland would be unified into one Parliament, to be titled the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Treaty authorized for a Enumeration to be conducted of all of Britain's citizens, to be taken every ten Years, and it stated that Representation would be determined upon this Enumeration. Until the Enumeration would be made, Scotland would receive 30 MPs and 10 nobles in the Parliament, and England's representation would basically be that of it's former Parliament. The Treaty divided Britain into Parliament districts, each district to be represented by a MP.


 * The militaries of Scotland and England would be unified into one organization. The Royal Navy would consist of the former Scottish and English navies, while the Royal Army would consist of the former English and Scottish armies. The Treaty laid out military command regulations, specified punishments for disorderly men, and made the Crown the supreme authority of the Military.

The Treaty also laid out matters concerning foreign relations, the powers and duties of the nobles, and manners concerning the Crown. All together, it came out to about 30,000 words. It contributed to a large part of the British constitution, which at that time was unwritten.

The Ottoman Empire, the Holy Roman Empire, and the Italian states became the first nations to recognize the existence of the new United Kingdom.

1446


Sultan Hatui I of the Ottoman Empire continues his campaign in the Balkans. The Sultan, at the head of his army, defeated a Venice-Athenian alliance at the Battle of Corinth, one of the most decisive Ottoman victories ever. As a result of this victory, the Sultan annexed Athens and many of Venice's possessions in the southern Greek peninsula. Hatui I also began construction on a Ottoman navy, in order to more effectively resist the Venetians on sea.

The Khanate of the Golden Horde splits up even further. Kazan and Siberia secede, establishing their own khanates. The Golden Horde is thus even closer to death. With Tatar unity and authority weakening, the Russian principalities begin to exert more control over their affairs, especially the Grand Principality of Muscovy. Muscovy assumes further control over it's foreign affairs and reduces tribute to the Golden Horde. The Horde, still engulfed in civil conflict, is powerless to stop this.

In Britain, Chancellor Humphrey died when from plague. Humphrey, although he never succeeded in his goal to take the Crown for himself, had left a impact on Britain. He had helped to establish the United Kingdom and had pushed through numerous reforms which strengthened the monarchy in particular and Britain in general. Humphrey is buried in Westminster Abbey, a testament to his influence and status. At about this time, however, King Henry VII begins to experience mental issues, which his doctors simply dismiss as "the humorous reactions of the mind".