1454-1457
Exploration of the wide ocean reveals more of the African coast along with a new land across the ocean west of Africa known as 'Brazil' it is eventually concluded that this is part of a seperate continent as explorers move up and down the coast and find more about the massive size of the landmass. Unfortunately it is surmised that it is too far away to make a colony feasible at this time.
1457
Instead, Enrique IV authorizes a new Castilian colony on the African coast - Rio de Oro. From here the plan is to expand into the trade areas down the African coast.
Back home Castilian diplomats are able to bring Aragmac in as another vassal to the kingdom, another blow to the French and increase to Castilian prestige.
Enrique IV decides that he wants his reign to not only be seen for basking in the glory of his father's accomplishments but also continuing to build even higher - and so he begins to plan for conquest in North Africa. Castile's main ally, Portugal, has just finished a war with Morocco (netting them Tangiers) which makes them a perfect target for further predation, it is decided that they will wait the 5 years until the Portugeese truce with Morocco is concluded and then lead the combined Iberian force back to North Africa.
1458
Exploration continues in this period, the southern tip of Africa is found and named the Cape of Good Hope. The southern tip of what is now called South America is found as well. Colonies are planned in Brazil, south in La Plata and north in the Caribean - but the colonial range and technology will have to catch up before these are possible.
1459
King Filipe of Portugal dies, leaving his 21 year old son Michael with the throne, a weak claim and no heir. We fear that he will back out of our agreement but he does not.
1459-1462
Technological and Ideological advancements allow the constuction of Temples, Marketplaces and Docks in several provinces to boost the economic power of greater Castile.
During this period Castilian spies fabricate claims on several different Morrocan provinces as a prelude to the planned war.
Also during this period several key Cardinals are swayed by Castilian influence and Castile takes over as the Papal controller.
1462
Enrique IV of Castile launches the Castilian-Moroccan war of Conquest continuing the Reconquista in the name of Catholisism.
One army marches from Rio de Oro while two more armies (one led by Enrique IV himself) assault Morocco. Several victories along with one fair defeat mark the first six months.
1463
Enrique IV fights back the Moroccan forces and several provinces are put under siege and taken. Portuguese forces also assault several more provinces.
By the end of the year Morocco submits and allows Infi, Casablanca and Melilla to be annexed by us. Portugal also claims the Fez province.
1464
King Michael I of Portugal dies possibly due to injuries he suffered in North Africa, in which he personally commanded Portuguese forces alongside our own forces. He had declared that in the event of his death before he had an heir that his throne would fall to us and so we entered into a Personal Union with Portugal on the 12th of December in the year of our Lord 1464. Once again the French disputed the late young Portuguese King's wishes and so the War of Portuguese succession began.
1465
Unfortunately, at least initially, Castilian and Portuguese forces were badly placed to defend against the French and the French moved two 15,000 men armies into our two Vassals on their border.
The bulk of our forces (with the addition of a few mercenaries) cross the Iberian peninsula and group in Navarra, assaulting the French force in Fioux once they had amassed a large enough force.
King Enrique IV led his force, via naval transport, to the southern French coast and was able to cut off a smaller French army and then deal several big blows to the other French armies as they retreated from the main battlegrounds near the French/Iberian borders.
1466
France capitulates and in the process we force them to denounce their Ally - Brittany (my hope is to eventually pit them, Provence and France against each other to keep them down.
End of 1466 Status
Enrique IV now considers himself as great or greater of a King than his father. With more Sunni lands under Castilian aegis expanding the Reconquista, another victorious war against France, and a personal union with the Kingdom of Portugal, very few can contest his claims.
France has been twice defeated and also fought two draining wars with at least Burgandy and Provence. They seem to have absorbed a vassal or two (they are down to 1) but still they are much worse off than I expected they would be bow now.
Also England is still an ally and claims to have gotten through their 'troubles' (I got an event notice to that effect at least) but they still have Cornwall independent and have lost their former Irish province and Northumbria has been absorbed by Scotland.
Elsewhere Bavaria and Burgandy are doing better than normal and Muscovy is already close to snuffing out Novgorod.
The plan moving forward is to work on reducing our overextension by coring our new provinces in North Africa, continuing to expand our colonies and working towards integrating our vassals and personal unions into a larger Kingdom. I am hopeful to turn Aragon more friendly and eventually have them join as well... maybe a marriage will do?
Played 2 hours, wrote for another hour, advanced the timeline 12 years.
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