Difference between revisions of "Denmark (ETW Faction)"
(Added a brief faction overview. Plan to overhaul the rest of the page in the future.) |
(Expanded faction overview and included a brief (hopefully relevant) section on Norway. Thought it might interest people wanting to know more about Denmark's starting territory.) |
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
| − | The Kingdom of Denmark was once the undisputed power of Scandinavia. For brief periods, prior to the Norman Conquest and the end of the Viking Age, early Danish kings had ruled over a vast North Sea Empire that encompassed Denmark, Norway and much of modern-day England. Under the 'Kalmar Union' the Danish monarch's authority stretched over the kingdoms of Denmark, Sweden and Norway as well as southern Finland, the Orkney and Shetland islands, the distant isle of Iceland and much of the southernmost coasts of the vast frozen expanse of Greenland. This hegemony over much of the north was not to last, however. Sweden, always an unwilling junior partner under Danish rule, successfully rebelled in 1521 and would quickly become Denmark's main rival and biggest hindrance to | + | The Kingdom of Denmark was once the undisputed power of Scandinavia. For brief periods, prior to the Norman Conquest and the end of the Viking Age, early Danish kings had ruled over a vast North Sea Empire that encompassed Denmark, Norway and much of modern-day England. Under the 'Kalmar Union' the Danish monarch's authority stretched over the kingdoms of Denmark, Sweden and Norway as well as southern Finland, the Orkney and Shetland islands, the distant isle of Iceland and much of the southernmost coasts of the vast frozen expanse of Greenland. This hegemony over much of the north was not to last, however. Sweden, always an unwilling junior partner under Danish rule, successfully rebelled in 1521 and would quickly become Denmark's main rival and the biggest hindrance to it's growth in Europe. But this rivalry would become increasingly one-sided as Sweden greatly expanded the lands under its rule, often at the expense of Denmark, and focused heavily on improving its military capabilities. This culminated in a century-long period from 1611-1721 known as the 'Swedish Empire' where Sweden was considered one of the great powers of Europe. |
| − | Despite this relative decline in relation to its former subject, Denmark remained one of the great naval powers of northern Europe right up until the Napoleonic Wars. Along with the British, Dutch and the many states that comprise the Hanseatic League, Denmark boasted considerable strength at sea. Controlling the strategically important straights that connect the North and Baltic seas, the Danish Navy was vital in maintaining the infamous 'Sound Tolls'. Levied on all foreign shipping seeking access through the Danish straits, fees collected from these tolls made upwards of two thirds of the Danish state's income during the 16th and 17th centuries. The Danish Navy also aided in Denmark's colonial ambitions. Despite its relatively small population in relation to the major colonisers of the period, Denmark managed to acquire a sizeable overseas dominion that | + | Despite this relative decline in relation to its former subject, Denmark remained one of the great naval powers of northern Europe right up until the Napoleonic Wars. Along with the British, Dutch and the many states that comprise the Hanseatic League, Denmark boasted considerable strength at sea. Controlling the strategically important straights that connect the North and Baltic seas, the Danish Navy was vital in maintaining the infamous 'Sound Tolls'. Levied on all foreign shipping seeking access through the Danish straits, fees collected from these tolls made upwards of two thirds of the Danish state's income during the 16th and 17th centuries. The Danish Navy also aided in Denmark's colonial ambitions. Despite its relatively small population in relation to the major colonisers of the period, Denmark managed to acquire a sizeable overseas dominion that was comprised of several small territories and trading posts scattered along the coasts and islands of the Americas, Africa and Asia. |
| + | |||
| + | The Napoleonic Wars would, however, spell the end to much of Denmark's remaining power and influence. By the end of the conflict in 1814, Denmark had lost much of its navy to the British and was forced to relinquish a considerable portion of its territory to Sweden for its involvement in the conflict. Any real power left to Denmark was effectively eliminated following their defeat at the hands of the combined Austro-Prussian armies in the 1864 Second Schleswig War, which saw the complete loss of the southern half of the Jutland peninsula and the final abandonment of any foreign policy that advocated for the use of Danish forces in anything but a defensive capacity. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Norway=== | ||
| + | For much of its history, including the entirety of the era covered in ''Empire: Total War'', Norway (which included the territories of Iceland and the Faroe Islands, as well as a largely unenforced claim to Greenland) was in a personal union with Denmark. Though legally a distinct kingdom, it was functionally subordinate to Denmark and was largely governed from Copenhagen as an integral part of the Danish state (which itself was referred to as '''Denmark-Norway''' during this period). Paradoxically, the areas that legally belonged to Norway actually made up the vast majority of Denmark's effective territory. Denmark itself only ever formally encompassed the northern half of the Jutland peninsula (the southern half, divided between the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, were regarded as separate entities under Danish vassalage), Skåneland (which, save for Bornholm, was definitively lost to Sweden in the 1658 Treaty of Roskilde) and the various islands straddling the boundary between the North and Baltic seas. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Unlike neighbouring Sweden, Norway was comparatively content with the ''status quo'', demonstrating on many occasions that it was at least preferable to Swedish rule, a looming threat that would ultimately become reality in 1814 following the Napoleonic Wars when Denmark was finally forced to relinquish all of Norway proper to Sweden, ending the union. | ||
==Starting position== | ==Starting position== | ||
Revision as of 11:28, 16 August 2019
| Denmark (ETW Faction) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name: | Denmark |
| From Game: | Empire: Total War |
| Religion: | Protestant |
| Culture: | European |
| Playable: | |
Denmark is a minor unplayable faction in Empire: Total War.
Contents
Overview
The Kingdom of Denmark was once the undisputed power of Scandinavia. For brief periods, prior to the Norman Conquest and the end of the Viking Age, early Danish kings had ruled over a vast North Sea Empire that encompassed Denmark, Norway and much of modern-day England. Under the 'Kalmar Union' the Danish monarch's authority stretched over the kingdoms of Denmark, Sweden and Norway as well as southern Finland, the Orkney and Shetland islands, the distant isle of Iceland and much of the southernmost coasts of the vast frozen expanse of Greenland. This hegemony over much of the north was not to last, however. Sweden, always an unwilling junior partner under Danish rule, successfully rebelled in 1521 and would quickly become Denmark's main rival and the biggest hindrance to it's growth in Europe. But this rivalry would become increasingly one-sided as Sweden greatly expanded the lands under its rule, often at the expense of Denmark, and focused heavily on improving its military capabilities. This culminated in a century-long period from 1611-1721 known as the 'Swedish Empire' where Sweden was considered one of the great powers of Europe.
Despite this relative decline in relation to its former subject, Denmark remained one of the great naval powers of northern Europe right up until the Napoleonic Wars. Along with the British, Dutch and the many states that comprise the Hanseatic League, Denmark boasted considerable strength at sea. Controlling the strategically important straights that connect the North and Baltic seas, the Danish Navy was vital in maintaining the infamous 'Sound Tolls'. Levied on all foreign shipping seeking access through the Danish straits, fees collected from these tolls made upwards of two thirds of the Danish state's income during the 16th and 17th centuries. The Danish Navy also aided in Denmark's colonial ambitions. Despite its relatively small population in relation to the major colonisers of the period, Denmark managed to acquire a sizeable overseas dominion that was comprised of several small territories and trading posts scattered along the coasts and islands of the Americas, Africa and Asia.
The Napoleonic Wars would, however, spell the end to much of Denmark's remaining power and influence. By the end of the conflict in 1814, Denmark had lost much of its navy to the British and was forced to relinquish a considerable portion of its territory to Sweden for its involvement in the conflict. Any real power left to Denmark was effectively eliminated following their defeat at the hands of the combined Austro-Prussian armies in the 1864 Second Schleswig War, which saw the complete loss of the southern half of the Jutland peninsula and the final abandonment of any foreign policy that advocated for the use of Danish forces in anything but a defensive capacity.
Norway
For much of its history, including the entirety of the era covered in Empire: Total War, Norway (which included the territories of Iceland and the Faroe Islands, as well as a largely unenforced claim to Greenland) was in a personal union with Denmark. Though legally a distinct kingdom, it was functionally subordinate to Denmark and was largely governed from Copenhagen as an integral part of the Danish state (which itself was referred to as Denmark-Norway during this period). Paradoxically, the areas that legally belonged to Norway actually made up the vast majority of Denmark's effective territory. Denmark itself only ever formally encompassed the northern half of the Jutland peninsula (the southern half, divided between the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, were regarded as separate entities under Danish vassalage), Skåneland (which, save for Bornholm, was definitively lost to Sweden in the 1658 Treaty of Roskilde) and the various islands straddling the boundary between the North and Baltic seas.
Unlike neighbouring Sweden, Norway was comparatively content with the status quo, demonstrating on many occasions that it was at least preferable to Swedish rule, a looming threat that would ultimately become reality in 1814 following the Napoleonic Wars when Denmark was finally forced to relinquish all of Norway proper to Sweden, ending the union.
Starting position
Denmark is a minor nation from the beginning of the game. The faction is not playable when the game is vanilla, but can be made playable with at least one released mod.
When the game starts, Denmark consists of three regions. Denmark controls its home region Denmark along with Norway and Iceland. Unusually for a minor nation, Denmark is a constitutional monarchy. Its capital is Copenhagen, which is a major city consisting of several building spots.
The faction is not very powerful when the game starts, and it often becomes relatively weaker as the game develops. Denmark often has powerful enemies as the faction often gets into conflict with the regularly more powerful and Scandinavian power of Sweden. Prussia is also often an enemy which sometimes wants to bring Denmark into its European empire, even though Denmark is a valuable trade partner. These threats are serious for Denmark, but there are more of them: Hannover is often in war with the nation, so Denmark sometimes has to fight on two or more fronts, and even the region of Norway may often rebel against the Danish rule, and become an independent faction. Despite its host of problems and enemies, it is rare for Denmark to be eradicated completely, as Iceland is very out of the way and rarely invaded. Should Denmark deal with its initial problems, it can become quite powerful. Norway is very rich in natural resources, and the home region of Denmark hosts a major city, a university, and eventually hosts an astonishing number of ports for its small size. It is not unusual for Denmark to take over Sweden's home region and become very much like a major nation towards the mid-game.
Denmark might have a fair chance to take control over regions in the northern parts of America. Iceland is situated quite close to the American theatre, and can give Denmark opportunities beyond many of its European counterparts.
Historically, the faction called Denmark in Empire: Total War is named incorrectly. The nation was in reality called Denmark–Norway during the 18th century and beyond. Denmark-Norway faced many problems, losing much of its lands to Prussia and Austria by the late 19th century (although it regained these following the Treaty of Versailles concluding World War I).
It is one of the only minor factions to have a seperate flag if it becomes a republic.
Unit Details
Like Sweden, Denmark's standard horse regiments get a 25% manpower boost. Denmark also has the option to recruit Heavy Cavalry, an ability shared only by Britain among the major nations. Therefore, Denmark can field particularly deadly cavalry with these two combined traits. Otherwise it has the standard European unit roster.
Starting Position
Basics at start
- Protectorates – None
- Allies – Poland-Lithuania, Russia
- Trade Partners – Hannover
- Enemies – Barbary States, Pirates
- Religion – Protestant
- Government – Constitutional Monarchy
- Ruler – Frederik IV (King)
- Population – 1,539,253
- Prosperity – Meagre
- Prestige – Feeble
- Treasury – 8000
- Technology - None
- Missionaries – None
- Rakes – None
- Gentlemen – Ole Romer (Denmark)
Europe Theatre
Copenhagen, Denmark
- Starting Buildings – Army Encampment, Cannon Foundry, Government Council, Conservatorium
- Infrastructure - Basic Roads
- Population – 912,680
- Wealth – 2550
- Religion – Protestantism 100.0%
- Starting Towns/Ports – Jutland Farmland (Peasant Farms), Holstein Farmland (Peasant Farms), Aarhus (Trading Port), Odense (School)
- Later Villages/Ports – Schleswig (Village), Aalborg (Village), Husum (Port), Lubeck (Port)
Reykjavik, Iceland
- Starting Buildings – Magistrate
- Infrastructure – Not Developed
- Population – 50,208
- Wealth – 200
- Religion – Protestantism 95.0%, Animism 5.0%
- Starting Towns/Ports – Skogar Farmland (Peasant Farms), Akureyri (Local Fishery)
- Later Villages/Ports – Hofn (Port)
Christiania, Norway
- Starting Buildings – Governor’s Residence
- Infrastructure – Basic Roads
- Population – 576,365
- Wealth – 2025
- Religion – Protestantism 95.0%, Animism 5.0%
- Starting Towns/Ports – Mo i Rana Mines (Iron Mine), Kirkenes Mines (Not Developed), Arendal Farmland (Not Developed), Ringsaker Forests (Logging Camp), Orkdal Forests (Not Developed), Bergen (Local Fishery),
- Later Villages/Ports – Trondheim (Village), Stavanger (Village)
