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Fall of Plymouth
As the sun rose, Marshal Maray gave the signal. The catapult artillery advanced and fired on the defenders of Plymouth, a combined force of longbows and muskets. Had time allowed, a more careful siege would have been conducted. But time was of the essence as the general feared further English reinforcements. The musket men themselves had arrived just two days earlier. As the catapults fired on the archers defending the city with little effect, Marshal Maray feared this would be a costly day. His fears would come true.
The catapults did manage to do some damage, but the units were destroyed in the assault. They were followed by the 34h Royal Regiment and the 3rd Heavy Cavalry. Both units fought bravely and inflicted heavy casualties on the defenders. But very few of the attacking troops were left standing.
The 14th Royal Regiment advanced on the much weakened English muskets. They were confident that they would quickly end the battle.
Perhaps it was the superiority of the weaponry. Perhaps it was sheer desperation by the beleaguered defenders. Perhaps it was the whims of war. But the few remaining English muskets released volley after volley into the advancing macemen. A handful of the French troops reached the city defenses but were quickly finished off by the English.
On the heels of the 14th came the 11th Royal Regiment, veterans from Cadiz. They took losses, but following as closely as they were, they escaped teh worst of the English musketry fire. They breached the city defenses, and in the ensuing hand-to-hand fighting, subdued the stubborn English musket men.
The battle was nearly over. The Palace Guard Horsemen entered the city to round up the remaining English archers, and open the main gates to the city to the remainder of the French army.
The objective had been achieved, but the cost was very high. Marshal Maray looked out over the field scattered with French dead and wounded. He prayed this was not a bad omen for the future and wondered how and where this war would end.
As the sun rose, Marshal Maray gave the signal. The catapult artillery advanced and fired on the defenders of Plymouth, a combined force of longbows and muskets. Had time allowed, a more careful siege would have been conducted. But time was of the essence as the general feared further English reinforcements. The musket men themselves had arrived just two days earlier. As the catapults fired on the archers defending the city with little effect, Marshal Maray feared this would be a costly day. His fears would come true.
The catapults did manage to do some damage, but the units were destroyed in the assault. They were followed by the 34h Royal Regiment and the 3rd Heavy Cavalry. Both units fought bravely and inflicted heavy casualties on the defenders. But very few of the attacking troops were left standing.
The 14th Royal Regiment advanced on the much weakened English muskets. They were confident that they would quickly end the battle.
Perhaps it was the superiority of the weaponry. Perhaps it was sheer desperation by the beleaguered defenders. Perhaps it was the whims of war. But the few remaining English muskets released volley after volley into the advancing macemen. A handful of the French troops reached the city defenses but were quickly finished off by the English.
On the heels of the 14th came the 11th Royal Regiment, veterans from Cadiz. They took losses, but following as closely as they were, they escaped teh worst of the English musketry fire. They breached the city defenses, and in the ensuing hand-to-hand fighting, subdued the stubborn English musket men.
The battle was nearly over. The Palace Guard Horsemen entered the city to round up the remaining English archers, and open the main gates to the city to the remainder of the French army.
The objective had been achieved, but the cost was very high. Marshal Maray looked out over the field scattered with French dead and wounded. He prayed this was not a bad omen for the future and wondered how and where this war would end.
Demonstrations and calls for regime change have broken out all over the Empire. Conservatives demand a return to the old ways, and abandonment of the new scientific reforms. Additionally, supporters and Opponents of the War against France clash in the streets. 
In the midst of all the war and tragedy to befall the English people, there was one small blessing. Before war was declared and England was invaded, the Russian pontiff in Calais died of old age and the Cardinals of Christendom met to elect a new Pope. They traveled from as far away as South America and Australia to attend this rare conclave. The Cardinal of Paris was expected to receive the position. Clergy from the world over met in the Vatican, and after several days of deliberation finally the conclave choose a surprise candidate. The selection of the English Cardinal, Nicholas Breakspeare as Pope shocked the world and angered the French. It was apparent at this time that war was brewing and suspicions were common that the French clergy were assisting their government in preparing for war. Many believed that French clergy were scouting out English and Ottoman troop positions in both Britain and in Africa and reporting back to the French military. The Christian world had never seen a war between two Christian nations. If France were truly planning war against England this would be a horrible disruption to the one true faith. This theme became whispered in all corners of the Vatican during the conclave and ultimately swayed the electors away from the Cardinal of Paris. The idea that war loomed large was shocking enough, but the idea that the clergy was assisting a worldly government to plan a war against a brother Christian nation was too much to bear. The situation presented a practical as well as moral crisis for the Church. Ultimately the English Arch-Bishop was seen as the best way for the Church to register its displeasure at the growing clouds of war. The election of Arch Bishop Breakspeare sent a clear message that such naked aggression was anathema to the Church and would not be accepted.
The queen spoke first: "I believe it is too dangerous to allow Pope Adrian to take his seat in France. The foul French and their Neandor masters cannot be trusted. Even now they prepare for war against us and against the Turks. How easy will it be to assassinate the Pope when he lies within their borders?"
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