Had Luther and Calvin been confined before they had begun to dogmatize, the states would have been spared many troubles.

-Cardinal Richelieu


The great French statesman of the early 17th century was alluding to the rise of Protestantism as a major threat to the integrity of the Church's jurisdiction in state affairs. One could only assume that a century earlier Martin Luther could not have foreseen the destructive consequences of his seemingly righteous protestations against the Church's wealth and corruption, and his calls for reform. The wars of religion that continued into the 17th century would culminate with the Thirty Years War from 1618 to 1648, when Protestants and Catholics would clash over princely rights, royal succession, and territory within the Holy Roman Empire.

With the opening of the Europe 1615 Diplomacy variant (DC474) we see players immediately drawing political and religious lines to impose their strategic will. The setting: A fragmented Germany where the individual German states are pliant to the doctrines of Protestantism or Catholicism and the persuasions of the great powers that surround. Deployment of influence by the great powers serves to sway the allegiance of the minor states, primarily German and Italian states (but includes other states like Poland, and Portugal). If the influence is substantial, the state could fall under Protestant or Catholic control. Such a condition would affect builds, scoring, and the garnering of more influence.

We are now entering the Fall of 1615. The Protestant powers' (England and Scandinavia) frugal use of influence at the opening of the game has proven beneficial, as counter tactics have been employed to tip the balance against the Catholic powers. Scandinavia is carving a path through central Germany, while Austria has expanded to take Brandenburg and Wuertemburg. An unlikely partnership occurred between Spain and France to secure a French position in the English Channel, but, because of a lack of coordinated orders, England and Scandinavia have capitalized on the confusion. The events are only heating up. The Livonian army has landed in Pomerania and the Spanish have been expelled from Westphalia with a well-supported Scandinavian-directed offensive by the Hessian army. Should Scandinavia maintain its hold of the Lower Saxon state of Brunswick-Lunenburg it may prove to be too difficult for the Austrians to remove the Protestant presence.

The Ottomans continue to maintain a neutral position to growing European conflict.

Stay tuned.