Helsingør (KAP) - It was August anno domini 1473 when Aleksandr Nikolaevic of the Royal House Velikarus, Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Novgorod sent an invitation to the heads of Sweden, Finland, Denmark and three Counties of Poland, with the proposal of renewal of the Baltic Union. He spoke of brotherhood and shared prosperity. His proposal was to create safe trade exchange, military support to not face external threats alone but above all “to promote a Treaty of Brotherhood and Peace, enshrining the spirit of cooperation beyond individual ambitions.”

Nullika von Mellin - Count and Lord of the Province appointed Purre of Rauma to represent Finland. Solveig Thorsen-Vidal arrived with her Chancellor - Klara. Fenomena Kwiatkowska, delegate of the Duchy of Kraków, sent a letter informing that County does not own any warships and her barge was recently sunk, so even if she cannot participate, Kraków is interested in joining the Baltic Union. Shanika Monte Countess of Denmark decided to join in with Danish Admiral Borrell. Peggy Rakowska Castellan of the Duchy of Masovia chose as delegates Granius Rakowska and Chancellor Zmejslav Czestogojski. Platyna, Countess of Wielkopolska did not respond to the invitation.

Some delegates were more eager to talk or ensure friendship, some were more observing the direction of the talks. Nevertheless, all of them arrived to speak about this peace. To speak about the future of the Baltic Union and its prosperity and safety.

The talks ended unexpectedly on 27th of October. Purre of Rauma, representative of Finland announced that the peace in the North is over, while standing with the army by the gates of Gefle.

In the response Solveig Thorsen-Vidal Duchess of Sweden invited Queen Chermiina of Finland to disband her army and leave the Country by the end of the week. They did not.

While the Finnish army was attacking Gefle, Finland elections were held, and for the new Count was elected Angel_de_la_muerte Fleming. Newly arrived with his crew, very swiftly creating council list and fast elections. Rumours say that they arrived from Wielkopolska County. Those who expected the Finnish raid on Sweden to be over and attackers quickly going back to save their country were highly disappointed. On 7th of November Angel confirmed that “yet the position of the state authorities remains unchanged, and the Army besieging Gefle has (his) full support in all of its demands.”
In addition he published a list of demands for Swedes in exchange for the withdrawal of the Finnish Army. Cancelling all court cases against attackers, financial compensation to every Fin already sentenced and an apology to the Royal Family for “unlawful judicial violence”.

While for most of the people this announcement did sound like a mumbling of a madman it appeared to be a great start for a surprising political career. And the future of the Baltic Union.

Chermiina was wounded, and the army was passed in Purre’s hands who got wounded on 11th of November. The next general was Mereis and on 15th of November he did lead the army to retreat.

The Army of Queen led by Mereis returned to Sweden in December, to pick up wounded and transport them safely home. And this time they retreated finally. Without Royal apologies, without cancelling court cases and without financial compensations to those already sentenced.

Around this time Angel_de_la_muerte Fleming, still as a Count of Finland, sent his family ships to the sea. His ships were found a few months later when Opifex, Lord High Admiral of England published piracy notification about the North Sea. On 3rd of February 1474 Battle carrack BBF Asgard, captained by Lageweg Fleming as long with other vessel, captained by Ragnarrr Fleming, believed to be BMF Baltic Queen type: carrack, has sunk Merchant Genovese Sunshine in between Holland and England

By the end of February, they were seen entering the Oder river, heading towards Wielkopolska harbour in Skwierzyna.

Finnish attack on Sweden in October cut out completely talks about renewal of the Baltic Union. Finland by its Admiral Purre and later also a Count Angel_de_la_muerte did send a signal that they don’t want peace. They want war. Blood and gunpowder.

So it did come with great surprise when on 15 April 1474, Baltic Union agreement was published.
Posted by Katarina_sofia Admiral of the Novgorod Fleet, signed by Kasander Lubomirski of Wielkopolska and Angel_de_la_muerte Fleming of Finland. Pact of Katarina - sister of Aleksandr Nikolaevic who opened the proposal for renewing the Union. Kasander of Wielkopolska who did not join the conversation at all, and Angel of Finland who broke the meeting and opened a war.

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes of talks on cooperation and peace, a new Baltic Union has emerged. Novgorod has, in a sense, made a mockery of its own negotiations by inviting into the alliance those who openly support war and piracy. It is building a force capable of causing widespread destruction.
It’s frightening to think what might come of such a union. Below is a translation of
the original text.

Shanika Monte, for Northern KAP

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