From: David Meyler Subject: 100 Years War Variant Hundred Years War and Holland, a 100 Years War Variant, S&T #177 by David Meyler What now forms the Netherlands, popularly but inaccurately called "Holland", did not form a unitary territory in the time period under discussion. Important powers were the house of Holland-Hainault, the Frisian peasant communes and the Duchy of Guelders (or Gelre). Overall, the Netherlands was on the periphery of the fighting in France and Flanders, distracted by their own internal problems and the threat of the Holy Roman Empire. But at times they did have an impact. Frisia had a treaty of alliance with the French king, while Holland tended to favour England. Gelre, when not fighting off the German emperor, was usually in conflict with Holland. In 1345, William IV the last scion of the Holland-Hainault was ambushed and killed while leading a chevauchee against the Frisians. The counts of Holland claimed lordship over Frisia, but the Frisian peasant villages and merchant towns pretty much formed a loose commonwealth, traditionally numbering seven communes, that escaped feudalism altogether. The lightly armed Frisians mostly comprised footmen armed with the "polstok" a kind of cattle prod that doubled as a pike during wartime, plus javelins and a few bows (the polstok could also be used as a pole vault to cross the numerous streams and canals in Frisia). A small number of richer Frisians had horses and armour but usually fought dismounted. William left no heir, so the lordship of his territories fell to his sister, Margaretha, wife of the German emperor, Ludwig von Bayern. By 1350, Margaretha's son, William V, had risen in revolt, leading to what is known as the Cod-Hook civil war. The origin of the faction nicknames are no longer clear. The cod may have been taken from one of the crests of noble houses involved in the fight, while the hook referred to those attempting to "catch" the cod. In any case, the English king Edward sided with Margaretha's Hook faction and intervened with his fleet leading to two large naval engagements. The English fleet defeated William at the battle of Veere in May 1351, but when the English attempted to enter the Maas estuary in July, William's Dutch squadron won a decisive victory at Vlaardingen. Margaretha renounced her claim leaving William as sole ruler and Edward later made a treaty of alliance with him. However, William shortly after went mad and Holland fell to William's brother, Albrecht von Bayern, although factional troubles and the sporadic conflict with Frisia both continued. Variant Map Changes Divide Holland into three provinces. First put in a border dividing the existing province in half, roughly straight down from the coast just east of Amsterdam to the border with Brabant. Part of the new area will form Gelre. Then, divide the newly formed area in two with a border from the coast running almost due east to the board edge forming a coastal strip. This northern area forms Frisia. Gelre is worth 2 treasury points and has one fortress, Zutfen. Gelre should border on Frisia, Holland and Brabant, with a small coastline separating Holland from Frisia. The border between Gelre and Frisia is swamp. The new province of Holland is also worth 2 treasury points (but see Frisia below) and retains the fortress port of Amsterdam. It borders on Flanders, Brabant and Gelre. A diplomatic attack against Holland can have special results. If the attacker scores a C result, civil war has broken out. Roll one die for each unit in Holland and for the city of Amsterdam. An even result means that unit or the fortress remains loyal to the defender. An odd result means the unit or fortress is now controlled by the attacker. Remove all forces of the major power that controls Amsterdam into the fortress. The forces of the other power remain in the province outside the fortress. All other results are unaffected. The civil war can only occur once, after which all usual results apply. Frisia is not worth any treasury points and has no fortresses. Frisia only borders on Gelre. Technically Frisia forms part of Holland, but de facto forms an independent province. Frisian units many not move out of Frisia (if allied units are in Frisia, keep the Frisian units in a separate stack to avoid confusion). Frisian units do not require maintenance. At the beginning of each turn, if there are no hostile units in Frisia (units controlled by the opposing major power), a maximum of one eliminated Frisian unit is replaced. If more than one type of unit is eligible to be replaced, make a random pick. The size of the Frisian forces can never exceed the number of at start units. Frisian forces (and any friendly units with them) always have tactical advantage when attacked. Frisia generates no income, but as long a Frisian combat unit exists, Holland generates 0 revenue. 1337 Scenario all are neutral independents Holland 2 chivalry, 3 pikemen, 1crossbow, 1 fleet Gelre 1 chivalry, 2 pikemen, 1 crossbow Frisia 1 light cavalry, 5 pikemen, 1 crossbow 1415 Scenario Controlled Independents Holland (civil war has occurred): Hook faction (English) in Amsterdam, 2 pikemen, 2 crossbow, 1 fleet Cod faction (French) in Holland outside Amsterdam, 2 chivalry, 1 pikeman, 1 crossbow Gelre (French) 1 chivalry, 2 pikemen, 1 crossbow Neutral Independent Frisia 1 light cavalry, 5 pikemen, 1 crossbow