Electorate of Hannunter

Garnisoninfanterieregiment, Soldat

2008-05-06T08:36:00.001-07:00

Artillerie, Feldartillerie Kanonier, Festungsartillerie Kanonier

2008-05-05T11:20:00.000-07:00

Freikorps Bremervorden, Lunestadt, Zelle

2008-05-05T00:56:00.001-07:00

IR Nr 12 Avancier & Retirerfahnen Bns I & II, Grenadier und Musketier

2008-05-04T10:02:00.000-07:00

IR Nr 11 Grenadier und Musketier

2008-05-04T09:52:00.001-07:00

IR Nr 10 Avancier & Retirerfahnen Bns I & II, Grenadier und Musketier

2008-05-04T09:41:00.000-07:00

IR Nr 9 Avancier & Retirerfahnen Bns I & II, Grenadier und Musketier

2008-05-04T09:15:00.001-07:00

IR Nr 8 Avancier & Retirerfahnen Bns I & II, Grenadier und Musketier

2008-05-04T01:06:00.000-07:00

IR nr 7 Grenadier und Musketier

2008-05-04T01:03:00.001-07:00

IR Nr 6 Avancier & Retirerfahnen Bns I & II, Grenadier und Musketier

2008-05-01T23:41:00.000-07:00

IR Nr 5 Avancier & Retirerfahnen Bns I & II, Grenadier und Musketier

2008-05-01T14:26:00.000-07:00

IR Nr 4 Avancier & Retirerfahnen Bns I & II, Grenadier und Musketier

2008-05-01T11:24:00.000-07:00

IR Nr 3 Avancier & Retirerfahnen Bns I & II, Grenadier und Musketier

2008-04-30T12:17:00.000-07:00

IR Nr 2 Avancier & Retirerfahnen Bns I & II, Grenadier und Musketier

2008-04-30T10:51:00.000-07:00

IR Nr 1 Avancier & Retirerfahnen Bns I & II, Grenadier und Musketier

2008-04-30T09:21:00.001-07:00

DR Nr 4 Grenadier zu Pferde und Dragoner

2008-04-28T10:56:00.001-07:00

DR Nr 3 Grenadier zu Pferde und Dragoner

2008-04-28T10:54:00.001-07:00

DR Nr 2 Grenadier zu Pferde und Dragoner

2008-04-28T10:53:00.001-07:00

Dr Nr 1 Grenadier zu Pferde und Dragoner

2008-04-28T10:51:00.001-07:00

Uniforms of Kurassierregimenten

2008-04-27T09:42:00.001-07:00

Extract from 'Regulations for Our Army in the Year 1742" - Part 9

2008-04-19T23:07:00.001-07:00

Guidons of Our Regimenten of Dragoner

Extract from 'Regulations for Our Army in the Year 1742" - Part 8

2008-04-19T23:02:00.001-07:00

Standards of Our Regimenten of Kurassier

Extract from 'Regulations for Our Army in the Year 1742" - Part 7

2008-04-19T09:35:00.000-07:00

2.7 Standards

2.7.1 It is Our will and Pleasure that The Standards of Our Regiments of Kurassier shall be Forty Two inches flying and Forty Two inches in the hoist, and shall bear a three inch deep fringe of Gold Thread. Each Regiment of Kurassier shall carry One Standard which shall be of embroidered Damask Silk. Each of Our Regimenten of Kurassier shall bear One Standard. The Field shall be of the Facing Colour of the Regiment, upon which shall be embroidered in Each Corner our Cypher, Crowned in Gold Thread. In the centre of the Standard shall be embroidered the Device proper to Each Regiment, below which shall be embroidered in Roman Characters the Number of the Regiment.

2.8 Guidons

2.81 It is Our Will and Pleasure that The Guidons of Our Regimenten of Dragoner shall be Forty Two inches flying and forty two inches in the hoist. They shall not bear a fringe. They shall be of a plain, swallow-tailed design, with the Fork of the Tail being one Third of the Fly of the Guidon, that is Fourteen Inches, and equally distant from the top edge and of the bottom edge of the Fly. The Field shall be of painted Damask Silk and shall be in the Facing Colour of the Regiment. In each corner of the Guidon shall be painted an Rose conjoined of Scarlet and White. The Centre of the Field shall bear a Crowned Riband of the The Most Noble Order of the Garter, surrounding Our Cypher, below which shall be painted a chaplet coronet of Laurel within which shall be painted in Roman Characters the Number of the Regiment.

Extract from 'Regulations for Our Army in the Year 1742" - Part 6 - Colours of IR 11

2008-04-19T04:54:00.001-07:00

Extract from 'Regulations for Our Army in the Year 1742" - Part 5 - Colours of IR 7

2008-04-19T04:41:00.001-07:00

Extract from 'Regulations for Our Army in the Year 1742" - Part 4

2008-04-19T00:26:00.000-07:00

Garde Infanterie Regiments 1 and 2
1/1 Avancierfahne and Retirerfahne
2/1 Avancierfahne and Retirerfahne
1/2 Avancierfahne and Retirerfahne
2/2 Avancierfahne and Retirerfahne

Extract from 'Regulations for Our Army in the Year 1742" - Part 3

2008-04-16T09:38:00.000-07:00

2. Colours, Standards and Guidons

2.1 Colours, Standards and Guidons shall be presented to Our Regimenten and Bataillonen by Us, and by no other person or persons, unless there be exceptional circumstances, whereupon each individual case shall be judged upon its merits.

2.2 Exact attention shall be paid to the style and title used in discussion and in correspondence regarding Colours, Standards and Guidons. Bataillonen of Garde Infanterie and Infanterie shall bear Colours. Regimenten of Kurassier shall bear Standards. Regimenten of Dragoner shall bear Guidons. No other Korps shall carry any flags of whatever description, unless it be Our will and Mark of our Especial Favour.

2.3 Colours, Standards and Guidons are not only marks of the Especial Favour and interest with which We regard Our Regimenten and Bataillonen but are also representative of the Soul of the Regiment or Bataillon, and are thus to be treated with the utmost respect, and afforded the uttermost protection under any and all circumstances.

2.4 Colours of the Infanterie.

The Colours of Our Garde Infanterie Regimenten and Our Infanterie Regimenten shall be seventy-eight inches flying by seventy two inches in the hoist. Each Bataillon shall bear two Colours. The two Colours shall bear the Style and Title of Avancierfahne and Retirerfahne. They are to be borne by the Fahnenjunkern of the Bataillon to which they are granted.

2.5 Colours of the Garde Infanterie Regimenten.

2.5.1 Avancierfahnen.

It is Our will and Pleasure that The Avancierfahne of the First Bataillon of Each Garde Infanterie Regiment shall be of embroidered Damask Silk. The Field shall be of the Facing Colour of the Regiment, bearing a representation of Our Cross in Gold, fimbriated in black, upon which shall be embroidered a wreath of Roses and Thistles, which shall signify Our Interest in Our Other Realm. Surrounded by the wreath and placed centrally upon the Cross shall be the device proper to the Regiment. The Avancierfahne of the Second Bataillon of Each Garde Infanterie Regiment shall be of the same manufacture and style as that of the First Bataillon of Each Garde Infanterie Regiment, except that a white stripe shall be placed upon the black fimbriation of the Cross.

2.5.2 Retirerfahnen.

It is Our will and Pleasure that The Retierirfahne of the First Bataillon of Each Garde Infanterie Regiment shall be of embroidered Damask Silk. The Field shall be of the Facing Colour of the Regiment, upon which shall be embroidered a wreath of Roses and Thistles, which shall, in a manner like unto that of the Avancierfahne, surround a centrally placed device proper to the Regiment. The Retirerfahne of the Second Bataillon of Each Garde Infanterie Regiment shall be of the same design, except that the Field shall be of Scarlet Damask Silk.

2.6 Colours of Infanterie Regimenten

2.6.1 Avancierfahnen

It is Our will and Pleasure that the Avancierfahne of Each of the First Bataillons of Our Regimenten of Infanterie be of Damask Silk. The Field shall be of the Facing Colour of the Regiment, upon which shall be painted a Wreath of Roses and Thistles, which shall surround a centrally placed Device proper to the Regiment, except in those cases where no such Device has been granted to the Regiment, where the central device shall be a scarlet Shield, fimbriated in the button colour of the Regiment and bearing upon it the Number of the Regiment in Roman Characters, also in the Button Colour of the Regiment. The Wreath and Device shall be superimposed on a Scarlet representation of Our Cross, fimbriated white. The Avancierfahne of the Second Bataillon of Each of Our Regimenten of Infanterie shall be of the same material and design as prescribed for the First Bataillon of Each of Our Regimenten of Infanterie, except that the field of the Colour shall be of Scarlet, and that the tincture of the Cross shall be in the Facing Colour of the Regiment.

2.6.2 Retirerfahne

It is Our Will and Pleasure that the Retirerfahne of Each of the First Bataillonen of Our Regimenten of Infanterie be of Damask Silk. The Field shall be of the Facing Colour of the Regiment, upon which shall be painted a Wreath of Roses and Thistles, which shall surround a centrally placed Device proper to the Regiment, except in those cases where no such Device has been granted to the Regiment, where the central device shall be a scarlet Shield, fimbriated in the button colour of the Regiment and bearing upon it the Number of the Regiment in Roman Characters, also in the Button Colour of the Regiment. The upper canton of the Field nearest the Colour Pike shall bear a representation of the Avancierfahne of the First Bataillon of the Regiment. The Retirerfahne of Each of the Second Battailonen shall be of the same material and design as prescribed for the First Bataillon of Each of Our Regimenten of Infanterie, except that the field of the Colour shall be of Scarlet.

2.7 Those Infanterie Regimenten Granted A Device to be Borne Upon The Colours:

IR 1 - The Badge of The Prince of Wales
IR 2 - A White Hart Couchant, engorged with a Crown of Princes
IR 3 - Our Cypher encrowned
IR 4 - A Lion Passant Gardant Or, enclosed within a Star of The Most Noble Order of the Garter
IR 5 - A Cartouche of The Facing Colour, Enclosed within a Silver Frame bearing a Spearhead
IR 8 - A Chaplet Coronet of Silver Laurel enclosing Crossed Swords in Silver
IR 10 - Crossed Swords in Silver
IR 11 - A Polish Eagle in Silver

Extract from 'Regulations for Our Army in the Year 1742" - Part 2

2008-04-12T09:17:00.000-07:00

1.4 Foot Guards

There shall be two Regimenten of Foot Guards. They shall bear the style and Title "Garde Infanterie Regiment Nr..." They shall be recruited from selected Men of the Infanterie Regimenten of the Line of Battle. Each Recruit shall have served at least five years, be of exemplary military character, stature, appearance and bearing. The Garde Infanterie Regimenten shall be kept at full establishment at all times. Each Regiment shall be established with a Regimental Headquarters, Two Bataillon Headquarters and Six Kompagnieren in Each Bataillon. The Regimental Headquarters establishment shall be One Colonel, One Lieutenant Colonel, One Major, One Major and Quartermaster, One Captain and Adjutant, One Captain and Surgeon, Two Lieutenants and Assistant Surgeon, One Captain and Paymaster, Two Lieutenants and Assistant Paymasters. Each Bataillon Headquarters shall be established with One Lieutenant Colonel, Two Majors, One Captain and Adjutant, One Captain and Quartermaster, One Captain and Surgeon, Two Lieutenants and Assistant Surgeons, One Captain and Veterinary Officer, One Regimental Sergeant Major (Ranking as Hauptfeldwebel), One Drill Sergeant (Ranking as Oberfeldwebel) One Drum Major and Lieutenant Colonel's Drummer. All Guards being of exemplary stature, bearing, appearance and military conduct there shall be no Grenadier Kompagnie in Our Garde Infanterie Regiments. Each Kompagnie shall consist of One Captain, Two Lieutenants, Two Sub-Lieutenants, Two Fahnenjunker, One Company Sergeant Major (Ranking as Feldwebel), One Sergeant and Company Quartermaster (Ranking as Stabsunteroffizier), Four Sergeants, Four Senior Corporals, Four Junior Corporals, One Drummer and Two Hundred and Thirty Eight Men. All ranks in Our Garde Infanterie Regiments are the equivalent of one rank higher in Line Regimenten, whether of Kurassier, Dragoner, Infanterie or Artillerie. The Officers Non-Commissioned Officers and Men of Our Garde Infanterie Regiments shall wear the uniform and appointments prescribed for them in the relevant section of these regulations. The Men of Our Garde Infanterie Regimenten shall bear the style and Title of "Garde Soldat".

1.5 Infanterie of the Line of Battle.

There shall be Twelve Regimenten of Infanterie of the Line of Battle. They shall bear the style and Title of "Infanterie Regiment Nr ...". Each regiment shall be established with a Regimental Headquarters and Two Bataillons, each of Five Kompagnieren. The Senior or Number One Kompagnie of Each Battalion shall bear the style and Title "Grenadier Kompagnie der Infanterie Regiment Nr ...", and shall bear the uniform and appointments prescribed for them in the relevant section of these Regulations. It is Our intention that only men of the requisite stature, appearance, bearing, experience and military conduct shall be admitted into the Grenadier Kompagnieren, and that they shall by their stature, appearance, bearing and conduct be an example to all other Men. Regimental Headquarters shall be established in accordance with the regulations prescribed for Our Garde Infanterie Regimenten. Bataillon Headquarters shall be established in accordance with the regulations prescribed for Our Garde Infanterie Regimenten. Kompagnieren shall be established in accordance with the regulations prescribed for Our Garde Infanterie Regimenten. Men of Our Infanterie Regimenten shall bear the style and Title of "Soldat".

Extract from 'Regulations for Our Army in the Year 1742" - Part I

2008-04-12T00:23:00.001-07:00

(Better known as 'The 1742 Regulations')

"Whereas it is Our intention to better regulate the organisation, uniforms, colours and standards and conduct of Our Regiments, it is Our Pleasure that the following regulations be implemented. Any and all necessary alterations, amendments and changes to the organisation, uniform, colours, standards and conduct of Our Regiments are to be implemented no later than the First Day of June in this Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Forty Two..."

1. Organisation.

1.1 Cavalry

There are to be Three Regiments of Our Cavalry. These regiments are to beear the style and Title "Kurassier Regiment Nr ...". Each of these Regiments is to consist of a Regimental Headquarters and Ten Troops of Horse. The establishment of Regimental Headquarters shall be One Colonel, One Lieutenant Colonel, Two Majors, One Captain and Adjutant, One Captain and Quartermaster, One Captain and Riding Master, One Captain and Surgeon, Two Lieutenants and Assistant Surgeons, One Captain and Veterinary Officer, One Captain and Paymaster, One Regimental Sergeant Major, One Sergeant and Armourer, One Sergeant and Trumpet Major (Who shall also be the Colonel's Trumpeter). Each Troop shall be established with One Captain, One Lieutenant or One Sub Lieutenant and one Fahnenjunker, One Troop Sergeant Major, Four Sergeants, Four Senior Corporals, Four Junior Corporals, One Trumpeter and Eighty Men. The Men shall assume the style and Title of "Reiter"

1.2 Dragoons

There are to be Three regiments of Dragoner. These Regiments are to bear the style and Title of "Dragoner Regiment Nr ..." Each of these Regimenten is to consist of a Regimental Headquarters and Ten Companies of Dragoner. The establishment of Regimental Headquarters shall be as for that regulated for Regiments of Kurassier, except that the term and duties of "Drum Major" shall be substituted for that of "Trumpet Major". Of the Ten Companies, the Senior, or Number One Company shall be termed "Dragoner Grenadier Kompagnie", the Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Men of which shall bear the Uniforms and Appointments regulated for them as laid down in the appropriate section of these Regulations. It is Our Intention that only Men of the requisite stature, bearing, experience and conduct shall be admitted to Dragoner Grenadier Kompagnieren, and that they shall, by their stature, bearing, experience and conduct be an example to all other Men. The Junior, or Number Ten Company, shall be termed "Dragoner Leichte Kompagnie", and shall bear the Uniforms and Appointments regulated for them as laid down in the appropriate section of these Regulations. The establishment of Each Kompagnie of Dragoner shall be as for that regulated for Troops of Kurassier, except that the term and duties of "Drummer" shall be substituted for that of "Trumpeter". In like manner, the term "Kompagnie" shall be substituted for the term "Troop" in all appointments. The Men of Regimenten of Dragoner shall assume the style and Title of "Dragoon".

1.3 Artillery

There shall be one Regiment of Artillerie. It is to bear the style and Title of "The Regiment of Artillerie." The Regiment is to consist of Regimental Headquarters and Ten Companies. The establishment of The regimental Headquarters shall be as for that regulated for Regiments of Dragoons, except that there is no establishment for a Captain and Riding Master. The establishment of Each Kompagnie shall be as for that regulated for Companies of Dragoons. The Men of The Regiment of Artillery shall assume the style and Title of "Kanonier".

Diplomatic Diversions

2008-04-09T00:13:00.000-07:00

[The scene: Later the same day. von Smallhausen's apartment with the Electoral Palace of Hannunter. The weather is till atrocious, with gusts of rain hammering at the windows. However, there is a roaring fire in the hearth, and with some candles burning, the room is comfortably warm and lit. Von Smallhausen is seated at a table, reading a sheaf of documents. On a side table a chess-board is set up, while a second table bears the remains of a meal, a decanter of red wine and a couple of glasses. Von Smallhausen's servant announces the arrival of Konrad Wulfwissel.]

Von Smallhausen ties the documents into a roll, and stands, "Good afternoon Konrad, I see that you have arranged some wonderful weather for my amusement."

"Good afternoon, Erich, are you well?"

"Really, my dear Konrad, all this concern over my health. I hate to disappoint you, but I am not likely to fall down dead at your feet... Well, not in the immediate future!"

"Believe me, Erich, that is no disappointment, but you travelled far and fast yesterday, and, forgive me, but at your age and in such weather, I am persuaded that these circumstances must give cause for concern to any who value your acquaintanceship, or indeed, if I may make so bold, your friendship."

"Ah, Konrad, Konrad.." von Smallhausen, gives a wry smile and a brief shake of his head. He moves towards the second table, raises the decanter and cocks an enquiring glance at Wulfwissel.

"Yes, I thank you, Erich. I see you have the board set up; shall we?"

"Yes, indeed."

The two men take their wine and seat themselves at the chess-board. For a while, both are apparently engrossed in the game. Eventually, Wulfwissel breaks the silence.

"Blast it! Erich, you've done it again... mate in three, I think."

"Ah, two, I believe Konrad. You seem to have overlooked my lurking knight."

"Ach! That is so like you, Erich. Devious and hard-hitting. Which, " pushing his chair back from the table and rubbing his temples Wulwissel continues, "is exactly why I asked you to arrive before the conference. Erich I need your advice. No. I need your help."

"This is not like you, Konrad. You are, under normal circumstances, quite competent in your employment."

"You have put your finger directly on the sore spot. Circumstances are not normal. This blasted war has gone on for too long. Apart from its effect on the treasury - which I do not scruple to confide to you is damned nigh empty - we have suffered losses in disrupted trade and commerce; we have taken so many of our young men as soldiers that I fear that agriculture as well as industry will take years to recover. Our border area with Braunsland is overrun, not just with our own home-grown theves, robbers and brigands, but with gangs of deserters and to borrow a term, refractaires, from almost every nation in Europe who seem to be able to rob, plunder, murder and rape at their leisure! Erich, you know that country, steep hills, deep valleys and the whole thickly forested. Impossible country in which to track down malefactors! The local burghers who know the country, and might reasonably be expected to help the authorities, are either in league with the bandits, or are, quite simply, too terrified to lift a finger against them."

Wulfwissel paused for breath and a sip of his wine. "I have, of course, asked our Royal master for assistance, at least in the short-term, but he 'regrets' that the wars have had an equally deleterious effect on the treasury of Britannia, and thus finds himself in a position where he is, again 'regretfully' unable to offer any aid that might ameliorate our position."

Von Smallhausen peers over the top of his spectacles at his visitor, and considers him for a few moments. "This is most unlike you, Konrad. You seem, almost, on the point of despair."

"Well, that may be stretching a point, Erich. But, yes, I face many problems, and receive very little support from above, and little, limited value assistance from below. Oh, it is not that my staff are lazy or unwilling, but the glamour of a military life, has seduced many of our abler young men, and they, sadly, now lie scattered in the corners of nameless fields somewhere - and those that were not seduced, were, for the most part, conscripted - with much the same result. Yes, I know Ober Nord Westfalen has suffered almost as great, in proportion, losses, but the Margrave at least had the wisdom to resist the urge to conscript all his able-bodied young men. I tell you, Erich, there are villages in Hannunter where over eighty percent of the population are either female, under the age of sixteen or over the age of fifty-five. It is as well that this war seems to be drawing to an end, for I must tell you that I doubt if Hannunter could have continued fighting for more than one more year."

"You paint a pretty picture, my friend."

Wulfwissel gives a sardonic chuckle. "Yes, I do rather, do I not? I try not to exaggerate, and I believe the pretty picture is as like to nature as is possible. Which, Erich, finally brings me to my point. Ober Nord Westfalen is fortunate in having accessible ports on both the Baltic and German Sea coasts, and in the past has gained a considerable amount of revenue from customs duties levied on goods in transit. What manner of concessions would Ober Nord Westfalen ask of Hannunter in exchange for an alleviation of these customs duties?"

Von Smallhausen casts a startled, but hastily concealed, glance at Wulfwissel. "Konrad, what you ask, given the stated condition of your coffers, seems to you, I know, reasonable. But, my dear friend, my own poor country has, also, suffered great loss, economically - despite our customs charges - and in many of our fine young men. If circumstances had been other, then perhaps an arrangement could have been made, perhaps a lessening of customs rates for the free movement of some of your famously excellent blood-stock between our two countries. But as I know that you will never agree to such a step, and given that we desperately need all the revenue..."

"A moment, Erich, if you please. Do I understand you say that you desire access to our equine bloodlines?"

"Well, it is somewhat nebulous at the moment and I do not wish to betray my Margrave's secret thoughts, but yes, I think he is anxious to not only replenish, but improve our own horses. We have no state studs, such as the one controlled by your excellent General, von... whate'er his name is - my old memory, you know - but we lost, in addition to young men, a great number of horses, as I am sure that so too did Hannunter. But, as I say, I am persuaded that such an arrangement is, from your standpoint, entirely ineligible."

"As you say, Erich, entirely ineligible - under normal circumstances. But as you also rightly say, circumstances are not in the least normal. I cannot, of course give you a definite answer here and now. I must consult; but perhaps, just perhaps, an arrangement of some sort could, possibly, be made. Of course, if it were to become known that special arrangements between our two countries were in place, then I am persuaded that similar applications would be forthcoming from other interested parties. And, as you are doubtless aware, the truly excellent performance of our regiments of Horse, Dragoons and artillery is to a great extent dependent on the superiority of their mounts. If we were to allow all to partake of our breeding scheme - which we have been at pains to establish since the Treaty of Westphalia - then our battlefield advantage would soon be dissipated, and that we cannot allow. Any such agreement between Hannunter and Ober Nord Westfalen, would, consequently have to be disguised, if not entirely clandestine."

"My friend, I am well aware of the challenges such a proposition would afford you, but I too must endeavour to persuade His Highness, that not only would it be in our best interests, but also to take such an unprecedented step, and believe me, that as head of The Secretariat, I am only too well aware of just how much revenue is yielded by our customs duties, and similarly, I too would, if such an agreement came to pass, be reluctant to lower tariffs for all, as I am persuaded I would come under pressure to do. So, Konrad, I agree. If any such measures were to be agreed, then the utmost discretion, by both parties, must necessarily be observed."

The Job Isn't Finished Until the Paperwork's Done

2008-04-04T00:09:00.000-07:00

[The Scene: Wulfwissel's Office. It is morning, a grey, wet and windy morning; the windows rattle in their frames as waves of wind driven rain are hurled against them. Despite it being daylight candles burn in their holders on almost every surface. A large map of the Germanic states and the Empire is pinned to the wainscotting. Wulfwissel is seated at his desk which is littered with piles of parchment and vellum. Despite the fire in the hearth he wears a polrock over his coat, and a woollen scarf is wound somewhat inelegantly around his neck. From time to time, he pauses in his writing to blow on his fingers. Seated at a pair of side tables are two younger men, their tables too are covered with correspondence. Seated further from the fire, it is evident that they feel the effects of the temperature to a greater degree than their master].

Wulfwissel lays down his pen, and rising from his chair, he picks up a sheet of vellum from the desk and moves towards the map, "Tradgardland, yes, yes. Now, Beerstein... where the Devil is it? Oh, yes, I've found it. Now, gentlemen write if you will, 'To Reichsherzog Wilhelm von Beerstein, His Grace the Elector of Hannunter and King of Britannia returns the Reichsherzog's fraternal greetings, and agrees to an exchange of Ambassadors. His Grace feels that since hostilities are on the verge of cessation, that the sooner the said Ambassadors are in office, then the situation will receive the greatest benefit. Accordingly we appoint Graf Wilhelm Munchhalle von Zelle as Our Ambassador to the Court of Beerstein. We await the Reichsherzog's agreement to this appointment . I have the honour to remain, Sir, etc, etc, given under our hand and seal this 16th day of january in the Year of Our Lord 1748, Wulfwissel, Chancellor and Bursar. The same letter to the Tradgardmastare if you please, substituting the name of Freiherr Matthias Welf von Lunestadt for that of the Graf. 'Pon rep, gentlemen, if I had known that opening our borders would be the cause of so much extra work, I would have kept the demmed things closed! What else remains of this morning's business?"

"Sir, we need to confirm the points for discussion at tomorrow's conference, as well as the order of business."

"Yes, yes, that must needs bide a while, I must speak with von Smallhausen before I decide my approach. Anything else?"

"There is the question of increased funding for the Studs at Zelle, Generalleutnant von Linkshoften is most insistent..."

"Generalleutant von Linkshoften may take himself and his horses to the Devil! Write and tell him that... No, write in diplomatic terms 'that current circumstances, including the presence of large numbers unathorised interlopers in the south-eastern parts of our realm, have made it inconvenient for representatives of the fisc to perform their duties with their customary zeal. Consequently, revenue for the period has not reached its anticipated level, therefore it is with regret that it has been decided that the disbursement of additional funds, notwithstanding the importance of the horse-breeding establishments to both national security and the treasury, cannot, at the present time be justified. Signed, Wulfwissel, Chancellor and Bursar'. That ought to keep the old war-dog quiet for at least a month or two. I MUST have time to re-build treasury holdings. War gentlemen is a curse, it is an expensive hobby for kings, while we, the honest citizens, must bear all the burdens. Now, it is almost time for nuncheon. After I shall have eaten, I intend to converse with Herr von Smallhausen; we must not be disturbed - unless of course, I have forgotten to declare war on some body. Get those letters copied in a fair hand and ready for my signature for when I shall return."

A Meeting of old friends(?)

2008-04-03T15:20:00.001-07:00

[The Scene: Wulfwissel's office in the Electoral Palace. It is dusk, candles are alight and a fire glows in the hearth. Wulfwissel is seated behind an elegantly constructed desk that gives off a soft gleam in the candlelight. A flunkey knocks on the door, opens it and announces a visitor. Wulfwissel stands, moves around the desk and advances to meet his visitor.]

"My dear Erich, how very pleasant to see you again. It is good in you to make such an effort; I trust the journey was not too arduous. May I offer you a glass of negus?"

The visitor, a short, plump man in his late sixties, leaning on a cane walks slowly into the room. Wulfwissel takes him gently by the elbow and guides him to a comfortable-looking chair near the fire.

"Not at all, Konrad. I am not quite so old as to allow the journey from Schloss Neuhaus to knock me into flinders, you know. As for the negus, I had rather a glass of decent Burgundy, if Hannunter can provide such a thing."

Despite his age and seeming physical infirmity, the First Secretary of the Margrave of Ober Nord Westfalen has a firm voice and peers at the younger with startlingly bright eyes that betray a keen intelligence.

Wulwissel throws up his hand in the manner of a fencer acknowledging a hit. "I believe I might, just might have a bottle hidden here somewhere."

He turns to a side-table and produces two glasses of wine and crossing the room sits opposite his visitor.

"Now, Konrad, tell me, what is so important that you desired my presence here before the set date of the conference?"

"Why, purely for the pleasure of your company - and to have time to gain my revenge for our last game."

"If I believed you, then I would be flattered, even if, sadly, I have not had much time to spare for chess, so your revenge would be almost certain. But I beg you, enough nonsense. You and I have known each other these last fifteen years, and have crossed swords at many a conference table. What, exactly, are you plotting now?"

"Very well, Erich, if you must have it so. Ober Nord Westfalen's troops have played no little part in the hostilities that are now coming to an end, and as a neighbour and ally for the past fifty years..."

"Forty seven years, Konrad."

"Very well then, forty seven years, it behooves Hannunter to take into consideration the sentiment of Ober Nord Westfalen when we submit our recommendations to His Grace the Elector and King of Britannia. As you know, the greatest gains on the continent from this struggle have been made by Pommersche, who has held the lands they seized from the Empress. Our own master's Other Realm has made significant gains in lands over the seas, and has tightened his navy's grasp over the oceans. But, Hannunter and Ober Nord Westfalen, both, have sacrificed much, with very little to show for their efforts. We must try to wring as much advantage from any forthcoming treaty as we may."

"True enough, Konrad. But what of Braunsland and Hesse-Damall? Have they too, not suffered loss?"

"Of course they have, Erich. But Hesse is too far away to affect our local situation, while Braunsland's Duke fought with the Pommerschen, and riding on Fritz's coattails may justly expect to catch some crumbs fallen from his table. You and I, Erich must ensure that our masters' interests are served to the best advantage. To do that we must, I believe, act in concert, and to that end I have invited you here in order that we may lay our plans together."

Erich von Smallhausen chuckled softly, "You were ever a rogue Konrad".

General Description

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The Electorate sprawls across a large area of the North German Plain, bordered by Pommersche, Braunsland, Ober Nord Westfalen and possibly Tradgardland and The Grand Duchy of Nordmark. Its borders are probably the rivers Elbe and Weser and the Baltic coast to the East of the Holstein peninsula..., maybe, but we shall see.

It is ruled by the hereditary Elector George Louis, who also has the misfortune of being the King of Britannia, poor soul. In his absence the country is run, for the most part, by Freiherr Konrad Wulfwissel von und zu Harzland, a scheming, devious and ambitious individual, who heads the Landrat, or Council of State.

There is a long-running history of disagreements with the neighbouring states over who actually owns various towns and villages along the somewhat nebulous borders, although relations with Ober Nord Westfalen have improved in the recent past, due to military alliances against the upstart House of Bourbon.

Welcome to the Electorate of Hannunter

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Herein the interested reader will discover the dastardly machinations of the minions of the Elector of Hannunter, who, being heavily involved in his Other Realm, must be excused the worst of their excess.