God's Obvious Design

[hardjoy]

JB, did Spain at the time of the Armada have an imperial standard? -I put together the flags when doing the medieval patch, which I've used as the foundation for this scen, so thats why I ended up with the castilian one... Castile was after all the epigram of spanish imperialism.

I consider putting Union Jack in too, if just for the national-romantic flavour -AFAIK Union Jack came into use much later. But as I use "Rule Britannia!" as the english conquest theme anyway I might as well go all the way

[Jay Bee]

Yes, the Burgundy Cross, see St Leo's post. In Philip II's times, yellow color for the flag's background was more common. Take a look at Allard's scenario on the Dutch revolt. I think Kindal has used that flag as well but I can't remember which scenario. In my Philip II scenario I used a composite flag similar to the royal banner shown in St Leo's post, but the Burgundy Cross is way better.

[Henrik]

This is the flag I use for Spain in europae, as I recall it has been aproved of by all Spanish testers so far

[hardjoy]

I'm gonna use the Burgundy cross for Spain, and Union Jack for the english as well

I'm in the process of shining up events, adjusting play balance and adding final bells and whistles... Any other play reports or comments that I should take into consideration?

Does anyone have an idea for a good title ? 'God's Obvious Design' hints at the great irony of the enterprise of the Armada and the failure of it, but doesn't really sound very dramatic... and the short version (GOD) has an inappropriate ring to it.

[techumseh]

How about just "The Armada"?

[PDifolco]

French cities reviewed :

Brieux -> St-Brieuc (St for "Saint")
Bayeaux -> Bayeux

Thx !

[Boco]

How about just "The Armada"?

There's something to be said for simplicity. If you want irony: "The Invincible Armada". If you're tilting toward divine intervention - as were many post-Armada English - Drake called it "the winds of God". Liz, from her address to the army beforehand (and taken completely out of context ) said, "Let tyrants fear".

What was the final tally of ships lost to storms versus those lost in battle?

[Goingonit]

The Armada was composed of 125-130 ships. 63 were lost. 15 of those were sunk or captured by the English; the rest were nature's fault.

[hardjoy]

Originally posted by Boco
Drake called it "the winds of God".

Others even said "God breathed"...

Good suggestions everyone. -I think I'm leaning towards simply "Armada" ...

[St Leo]

God's Armada

[fairline]

Originally posted by hardjoy
I'm gonna use the Burgundy cross for Spain, and Union Jack for the english as well

Nice scenario, Hardjoy

Don't use the union flag for England, though - England was very much a separate kingdom from Scotland at the time, so use either the Cross of St George or the Royal Standard.

The Act of Union between England and Scotland was 1707 I think, and the Union Flag dates from that time as well.

[St Leo]

Modern Royal Standard
British Royal Standards since 1042
Royal Standards

The last source indicates that the three lions and three fleur-de-lys x2 are the most appropriate for the period.

[hardjoy]

Thanx! I'm really grateful for you digging up these sources for me -gonna keep the lions...

[WarVoid]

I love the scenario, but found it too short to win with any of the smaller powers.

My best small-power game was with the Scots. I had just destroyed the English and had captured much of Holland when the scenario ended.

So close to world domination... yet so far...

[hardjoy]

Working on an update these days

Mostly in the historical detail department, city placements and some map changes. Spain now only controls one city in the netherlands from the outset, but has a much larger army there, making it more interesting for Spain to either crush the dutch rebellion or find a way of ferrying these troops to England. Or both.

I am in seven minds about how best to simulate the french civil war (war of the three henrys). I want this a little more accurate as can be from the outset, than in the first version.

I have a sketchy map of holy league and huguenot areas of control, and details on a number of cities, but still lack a general overview of how the civil war went on, in detail of sieges, organization and cities taken etc.

Any ideas, anyone? any good links or references?

I am also giving the events an overhaul, which means less random events and off-game history events, and more in-game events, rewarding/punishing civs for important victories/accomplishments.

Additionally, I use the events to simulate storms at sea, which makes it possible but also more dangerous to perform long voyages at sea, without seeking harbor.