- ARCHIVE - Republican Court of Genoa

[Molleby]

The Republic of Genoa

Nation: Genoa
Head of State: Allesandro Doria, Doge of Genoa
Religion: Catholic
Culture: Italian
Stats: 2/2/5/5/5(6) --> [2/2/5/5/6]
Provinces: 3
Ports: 3
Owned: Liguria, Kaffa, Kerch
Piemontese Overlord +1 economy

Province of Liguria

Black Sea Provinces

Kerch
Governor: Ludovico Marsochello

Rhodes
Governor: Tutio Spinola

[Molleby]

The Ruling Families

Four families dominates the political life of Genoa. The Dorias, the Spinolas, the Fieschis and the Grimaldis. Constant struggle for the power of the Doge post has on numerous occations thrown the city of Genoa into unrest not unlike civil war. For the moment Allesandro Doria, head of the Doria family, rules as Doge. But his defeat against Aragon has ignited the old hatred of the Dorias, and he has been sitting on a hot seat for over a year now.

The Dorias

Apparently of feudal origin, from Liguria and Provence, the Dorias first appeared in Genoese records early in the 12th century. Ansaldo Doria was elected consul of the commune of Genoa in 1134 and took part in several embassies and military expeditions. His son Simone served six consulships between 1175 and 1188, and one of Simone's sons, Andrea, married into Sardinia's ruling family, the Torres, launching Doria fortunes in that island. By this time the Dorias had long been leaders of the Ghibelline (imperial) political faction.
In 1270 Andrea's grandson Oberto Doria (died 1295) and Oberto Spinola, member of another great Genoese family, inaugurated a series of two-man governments headed by their families, with dictatorial powers as captains of the people. Ruling for 15 years during what has been termed the golden age of the Genoese medieval commune, Oberto Doria was a hero of the decisive Battle of Meloria (1284) against Pisa, in which 250 members of the Doria family are said to have participated.
Members of the Doria family played an important role in the Genoese Crimean colony of Caffa and in the empire of Trebizond, south of the Black Sea. Domenico Doria, traveler and cartographer, was appointed in 1285 by the Mongols as their ambassador to Europe. The current Doges oldest son, Andrea, is expected to take over from his father, when he returns from Heidelburg.
Though, the Emperor killed the Doge in a foul conspiracy, and Andrea has now already taken over, with the mandate coming from the people.
Leader:
Andrea Doria

The late Allesandro Doria

The Spinolas

They were descended from a younger son of Ido, the viscount who ruled Genoa in the 10th century as the representative of its feudal lord, the Marchese Obertinghi. The Spinola furnished many consuls to the aristocratic “consular” commune of the 12th century. Guido Spinola served as consul several times between 1102 and 1121. In 1190 his descendant, also named Guido, commanded a Genoese fleet in the Third Crusade, afterward being repeatedly elected consul and serving on a number of embassies.
During the first half of the 13th century, in predominantly Guelf (pro-papal) Genoa, the Spinola headed the Ghibellines, the party supporting the Holy Roman emperor Frederick II in the factional struggles of the period. Niccolò Spinola (d. 1240) became grand admiral of Frederick's fleet. In 1237 Guglielmo Spinola led an unsuccessful coup against the Guelf podesta (chief magistrate), who sentenced the rebels to exile and destruction of their houses and property but revoked the sentence on intervention of the archbishop of Genoa. In 1270 Oberto Spinola and Oberto Doria instituted the first of a series of governments headed by members of their two families when they seized power as captains of the people. The two men ruled Genoa for the 15 years that have been termed the golden age of the Genoese medieval commune. Other Spinola who served jointly with Doria as captains of the people were Oberto Spinola's son Corrado; Opizzino (Opicino) Spinola during Emperor Henry VII's invasion of Italy; and, after a long interruption, Galeotto Spinola in 1335. At that time the resumption of the rule of the two powerful families ended in a popular revolt and the installation of the first doge of Genoa (1339). The Spinola made several unsuccessful attempts to regain power.
Leader:
Rafael Spinola

The Fieschis

Ugo, son of the Count of Lavagna, was the first to assume the name Fieschi. Ugo's son Sinibaldo became pope in 1243 as Innocent IV, an event that at once established the family as leaders of the Guelf party against the Holy Roman emperor. Driven from power in Genoa during the democratic revolution of 1257, the Fieschi took part in a plot against the popular leader Guglielmo Boccanegra and were exiled, but they returned in 1262 with another Guelf family, the Grimaldi (q.v.), to execute a counterrevolution. Dominating the city, the Fieschi and Grimaldi allied themselves with the French prince Charles of Anjou, under whose protection they placed Genoa. Public reaction to this move drove them from power in 1270, when the Ghibelline leaders Oberto Doria and Oberto Spinola became captains of the people.
In the early years of the 14th century the family adopted a policy of encouraging conflict between the Dorias and Spinolas, a tactic that returned them to power in Genoa in 1317, when Carlo Fieschi and Gaspare Grimaldi became captains of the people. The coup was followed by a long struggle between the two rival factions in Genoa, with periodic intervention by the Guelfs and Ghibellines of other cities. The conflict was terminated by King Robert of Naples' seizure of Genoa in 1331, which was followed by the democratic revolution of 1339 and the institution of the popular dogeship in Genoa. The Fieschi, like the other noble families, were excluded from government but served as ambassadors and military men. Toward the end of the century, however, by allying with the counts of Savoy and the kings of France, they recouped their fortunes.
Leader:
Marco Fieschi

The Grimaldis

Descended from a 12th-century Grimaldo who was several times consul of the Genoese commune, the Grimaldi and another important family, the Fieschi , headed the Guelf party during the struggles between the papacy and the empire and allied themselves with the French prince Charles of Anjou, then king of Naples. In 1297 the Grimaldi seized power in Monaco, turning it into a base of operations against the Genoese Ghibellines. But over the next century they alternately lost and won control of the city, during a period of turbulent politics and wars throughout Italy.
The Grimaldi contributed many admirals and ambassadors to Genoa during the popular dogeship (1339–1528) but continued their intermittent connection with Monaco; in 1395 Giovanni and Luigi Grimaldi profited by civil strife in Genoa to seize Monaco, losing it, however, shortly after to the French. In 1419 a branch of the family succeeded in taking what proved to be final possession of Monaco, though they did not assume the title of prince until 1659.
Leader:
Georgio Grimaldi

[Molleby]

History of Genoa

Before 1419

In ancient times, what probably began as a Ligurian village on the Sarzano Hill overlooking the natural port (today Molo Vecchio) prospered through contacts with the Etruscans and the Greeks. As a flourishing Roman municipium it became a road junction, a military port, and a market of the Ligurians. After the fall of the Roman Empire, followed by invasions of Ostrogoths and Lombards, Genoa long existed in comparative obscurity as a fishing and agrarian centre with little trade. By the 10th century, however, the general demographic and economic upswing of Europe brought fresh opportunity and enabled the Genoese to answer the challenge of Muslim raids vigorously. A Fatimid fleet stormed and sacked the town (934 or 935), but the Genoese raised their walls anew and counterattacked under the leadership of their bishop and of the local viscounts. Soon, Genoese merchant ships were trading briskly in the western Mediterranean and calling at Palestinian seaports.
Before 1100 a voluntary association (compagna) of all citizens who would contribute arms, capital, or labour to the life of the community generated the independent commune of Genoa; executive power was vested in a number of “consuls” yearly elected by a popular assembly. The ruling class consisted chiefly of petty noblemen and affluent bourgeois. Maritime commerce was the dominant activity. During the 12th and 13th centuries Genoa played a leading role in the commercial revolution that Europe was undergoing. It became a town of about 100,000 inhabitants, a naval power dealing on equal terms with the greatest monarchies, and a commercial centre rivaled only by Venice in the Levant trade and competing with other Italian towns in trade with western Europe. Eastern spices, dyestuffs and medicaments, western cloth and metals, African wool, skins, coral, and gold were the main articles of a very diversified international commerce. Banking and shipbuilding flourished, and the local textile industry made a good start.
At the same time, the Genoese brought all of Liguria, most of Corsica, and northern Sardinia under their direct or indirect control and founded self-governing commercial colonies all around the Mediterranean coast. Many of these colonies were the result of Genoese participation in the Crusades and of shorter campaigns by the Genoese alone in Spain, Africa, and the Levant, but some were set up by peaceful penetration and diplomatic bargaining. They ranged in size from individual buildings to walled suburbs of towns and, eventually, entire islands or districts of coastal land.
The collapse of the crusaders' states, with their Genoese enclaves, in the late 13th century was amply compensated by Genoa's alliance with the Byzantine Empire under the Treaty of Ninfeo (1261), which paved the way for a great expansion in the Black Sea. Pera (modern Beyoglu), the Genoese independent suburb of Constantinople, gradually outstripped the Byzantine capital in economic development, and Kaffa (modern Feodosiya) became the capital of a broad stretch of the Crimean coast ruled by the Genoese. Many Aegean islands became independent Genoese principalities.
Throughout this period internal political strife in Genoa was almost incessant, but it did not seriously hamper the progress of the community. The state was managed as a business affair, to the common profit of the ruling families—such as the Spinola, Fieschi, Grimaldi, and Doria—and generally to the advantage of the whole population. The form of government changed and evolved, so that by the second half of the 13th century “captains of the people” were governing with unlimited tenure and with the support of the guilds. (In 1257 Guglielmo Boccanegra was made captain and became virtually a dictator.) The living standard of the entire population, including fresh immigrants, constantly improved. Municipal and family pride led to the construction of splendid buildings, wharves, bridges, and churches.
Genoa's political zenith was marked by a crushing naval victory over the Pisans at Meloria (1284) and a less decisive one over the Venetians at Curzola (1298), followed by other successful encounters. In the same period, maritime trade reached its peak. During the 14th and 15th centuries, however, the whole of Europe was in a profound material and moral crisis. In Genoa class and party struggles kept the government in perpetual turmoil, and public finances were ruined by war. The election of native doges after the Venetian model, beginning with that of Simone Boccanegra in 1339, was a vain attempt to solve the political problem.

Religion

Given the importance to trade with foreign and exotic countries, Genoa practises widespread religious tolerance. Orthodox, Jewish and even to some degree Muslim merchants are welcomed in Genoa under certain rules, like the foreign merchants not practising their religion in public while visiting, and of course, no missionary activity is allowed.
In the Genoese Crimean provinces, total religious freedom rules, and everybody are allowed to practice their religion as they see fit.

Cardinal Archbishop Ortucchio of Genoa

X

[Molleby]

Diplomacy

Ambassadors to Genoa
Kingdom of Aragon: Fernando de Vaca
Republic of Venice: withdrawn in protest
Kingdom of Castille and Leon: Agustin Chamot

Ambassadors from Genoa
Ottoman Empire: Giovanni Doria
The Timurid Empire: Donatello Moraldino
The Imperial Diet: Carlovi Gineri
Kingdom of Castille and Leon: Luigi Despozza
Kingdom of Portugal: Francisco Doria
Burgundy: Silvio Girobandini
The Caucasus realms: Ludovico Marsochello, Governor of Kerch
North Africa: Camanero

Alliances

Hungary

Non-aggression Treaties

Eastern Roman Empire (expires 1441)
Hungary
Algiers (expires 1450)

Right of Passage

Receives RoP from:
Eastern Roman Empire (expires 1441)
Hungary

Grants RoP to:
Eastern Roman Empire (expires 1441)
Hungary

Relations With Foreign Powers
Mostly determined by the degree of trade cooperation

Good
Hungary
Portugal
Ottoman Empire
Russia
Golden Horde
Timurid Empire
Algier

Neutral
Burgundy
Castille
Papal States
Ragusa
Eastern Roman Empire
Mameluks
Aragon

Bad
The Emperor
Venice
Georgia
Bremen (ICC)

Treaties and Agreements

Bosporus Strait Treaty

1. Roman Empire and Genoese merchants shall have 25% less in tariff and taxes in their lands.

2. Roman Empire and Genoa shall not enter the war against each other for five years.

3. Genoese ships shall have a unrestricted passage through Bosporus Strait and shall receive only the half of usual toll.

4. There shall be a right of passage for each countries. Romans shall be able to pass through Genoese lands and Genoese shall be able to pass through Roman lands.

5. There shall be a section reserved for Genoese merchants in Constantinople, in Golden Horn to be specific.

[X] - Emperor Alexius Achaea of Eastern Roman Empire
[X] - Allesandro Doria, Doge of Genoa

The 1438 Pact of Non-Aggression Between the Zayyanid Caliphate (Algiers) and the Republic of Genoa

In the spirit of prosperous trade, the Zayyanid Caliphate and Genoa recognize the need for continued peace in the Western Mediterranean. Therefore:

1. The Zayyanid Caliphate pledges that no military action will be taken against ships or other forces of the Republic of Genoa, be they merchant or military.
2. The Republic of Genoa pledges that no military action will be taken against ships or other forces of the Zayyanid Caliphate, be they merchant or military.
3. The Zayyanid Caliphate will protect Genoa and it’s citizens against harm from third parties while in the domains of the Caliphate.
4. The Republic of Genoa will protect the Zayyanid Caliphate and it’s citizens against harm from third parties while in the domains of the Republic.
5. Should the Caliph lawfully order holy war (jihad) against Genoa, the Zayyanid Caliphate has the option to give a six month notice of intent to withdraw from this Pact. In such a case, the Zayyanid Caliphate will take no action against Genoa during those six months and allow Genoa to safely withdraw their interests from Zayyanid lands and waters.
6. Should the Pope lawfully order holy war (crusade) against the Zayyanids, Genoa has the option to give a six month notice of intent to withdraw from this Pact. In such a case, Genoa will take no action against the Zayyanids during those six months and allow the Zayyanid Caliphate to safely withdraw their interests from Genoese lands and waters.
7. This Pact will expire naturally on December 31, 1450, by Christian reckoning of the calendar.[/i]

The Kassa Pact

I. It is essential to note that the nations of Hungary and Genoa do have a responsibility to protect each other from harm.

II. That Hungary and Genoa will defend each other against their enemies by either a) declaration of war in support; or b) sufficient monies (in the form of interest-free loans) as to ensure the other nation is successful in their endeavours.

III. That this pact should not interfere with either nation's full and formal alliances, existing or future.

IV. That Hungary and Genoa retain the option to refrain from direct interference in the case where one nation has a pact of non-aggression with the other's enemy.

V. That Hungary and Genoa retain the option to enter a state of war as an ally against any enemy, offensive or defensive; but that in such case no separate peace is to be sought by the second party.

[Molleby]

Trade

Genoa has signed several very lucrative trade agreements with foreign powers...

Genoa has a monopoly on the silk going through the Golden Horde (see: The Silk-Navy Agreement of 1436) cancelled

Genoa has monopoly on most of the Russian trade (see: The Moscow Agreement)

Genoa is the only Christian nation allowed to trade within the Ottoman Empire (see: The Bursa Treaty)

Genoa handles all trade with Portugese goods in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea (see: The Lagos Concessions)

Genoa enjoys great privileges in the Kingdom of Hungary (see: The Hungary-Genoa Contract)

Genoa enjoys a fruitful cooperation with the Sultanate of Algiers (see: Agreement Regarding Genoese-Zayyanid Commerce)

Traded Goods

Silk - Genoa has MONOPOLY on the silk trade through the Timurid Empire, which basically means all of it. Also, Genoa secures the Christian trade with silk from the Ottoman Empire. All in all, Genoa controls the part of the silk trade that is in Christian hands, and they mainly sell it to Portugal and Hungary.

Ivory - Genoa handles all trade with Portugese goods in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, including ivory. Also, Genoa has monopoly on ivory in Alexandria.

Spice - Genoa has monopoly on buying spices in Alexandria.

Wine - Produced in Kaffa, imported from Portugal, Hungary and the Ottomans.
Iron - From Russia (MONOPOLY), from Hungary and some from the Ottomans.
Timber - From Russia (MONOPOLY), from Hungary and some from the Ottomans.
Copper - From Hungary and the Ottomans.
Coal - From Hungary
Lead - From Hungary
Sheep and wool - Produced in Liguria, bought from the Ottomans and exported to Russia (MONOPOLY)
Fish - Produced in Kerch, exported to Russia (MONOPOLY), Portugese fish traded in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
Salt - Exported to Russia (MONOPOLY), imported from Hungary, Egypt and Portugal.
Grain - From Russia (MONOPOLY)
Fur - From Russia (MONOPOLY)
Tar - From Russia (MONOPOLY) and the Ottomans.
Wax - From Russia (MONOPOLY) and the Ottomans.
Honey - From Russia (MONOPOLY)
Cloth - Exported to Russia (MONOPOLY) and bought from the Ottomans, Egypt and the Italian states.
Glas - From Egypt
Weapons - Produced in Genoa, exported to Russia (MONOPOLY), exported to Hungary
Cattle - From Russia (MONOPOLY), from Hungary
Horses - From Russia (MONOPOLY)

Areas of Special Genoese Interest and Presence

Moscowy - A large merchant house has been established in the northern city, to oversee the flourishing monopoly trade that Genoa enjoys in the lands of the Tsar.
Constantinoble - Genoa has the privilege of its own sector of docks in the city. A grand warehouse and a merchants colony has been established there. This facility also functions as a permanent embassy building in the grand city.
Lagos - The transit point for the Genoese-Portugese trade. A large merchant house oversees the trade with Portugese goods bound for the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
Bursa

Trade and Commerce Agreements

The Moscow Agreement

For its economical aid to the Russians in their fight against the Golden Horde, Genoa shall be granted monopoly on the Russian trade on the following conditions:

1.
All Russian export of fur, timber, grain, iron, tar, wax, honey, cattle, horses, shall pass from domestic Russian through Genoese merchants ONLY.

2.
All Russian import of cloth, sheep, fish, weapons, luxury goods and salt shall pass from Genoese merchants ONLY to domestic Russian merchants in the major cities, who then will redistribute these goods to the Russian markets.

3.
Genoa commits itself to ensure a steady supply of the import goods to favourable prices, determined by the markets outside Russia.

4.
Genoa shall at its own expense build a merchants house in Moscow to oversee the monopoly on export and import of Russian goods. Within its compound only Genoese law shall be valid, as it is custom.

5. Genoa shall grant Russia an interest-free loan of 300.000 ducats (3 eco) to finance its glorious struggle against the barbaric Golden Horde.

--------

The Hungary-Genoa Contract

In the Year of our Lord 1435, in the month of October, the nations of Hungary and Genoa do hereby enter into this contract.

SECTION I:

i. Genoa shall provide, at cost, stocks of weapons and military equipment (of only the highest quality) including spears, polearms, swords, shields, pavises, siege machines, crossbows, cannon and so forth.
ii. Genoa shall provide personnel in the form of drill instructors and military strategists for the training of the King's army, and a division of mercenaries under Genoese pay to fight under the King's banner.
iii. Genoa shall provide personnel in the form of drill instructors and military strategists for the training of the Knights of the realm and Baronial armies.
iv. Genoa shall provide to Hungary in times of war no less than 10 Commands of 100 troops to professionally lead the divisions of the General Levy.

(NB. all this in the form of at least 1 eco to be applied to no more than one event per contract period)

SECTION II:

i. In return, Hungary shall provide a payment of 1% of annual volume of extracted iron, coal, copper, lead from the King's mines. However, it is Genoa's responsibility to organise and pay for transport etc.
ii. Guaranteed sales to Genoa of 35% of annual export of non-precious metals (including iron, coal, copper, lead) at prices negotiated six-monthly and fixed for the period.
iii. Guaranteed sales to Genoa of 10% of annual export of all other raw materials (including timber and salt) at prices negotiated six-monthly and fixed for the period.
iv. Guaranteed sales to Genoa of 5% of annual export of all other goods (including cattle, foodstuffs, wine, worked/crafted and luxury items) at prices negotiated six-monthly and fixed for the period.

SECTION III:

i. 5% off standard foreign-merchant import and export duties for Genoan merchants inside the borders of Hungary. Likewise for Hungarian merchants in Genoan-controlled markets.
ii. This is to be a 24 month contract, open to renewal or renegotiation at the end of September 1437.

--------

The Bursa Treaty

1.
Genoa shall be the only Christian nation allowed to trade within the Ottoman Empire. Genoa shall provide the Ottoman markets with necessary goods at reasonable prices, and shall be able to buy Eastern goods at favourable rates.
For this privilege, Genoa shall pay 15% higher tariffs than normal.

2.
Ottoman merchants are welcomed at Genoese ports, where they will only pay half of the normal tariffs. In the Crimean ports, Ottoman merchants are allowed to practise their religion as they see fit. As guests of the Genoese, the governors of the Crimean ports shall do their utmost to protect the Ottoman merchants.

3.
The Ottomans commit themselves to secure safe passage for Genoese vessels through the Bosporus strait.

4.
Genoese merchants shall not practise their religion openly within the Ottoman realm. Genoese merchants are not allowed to advertise Christianity in any way, and should they do so, the Ottoman authorities will execute this individual immediately.

5.
The Ottomans are given access to interest free loans from the Bank of Genoa.

6.
To oversee that the articles of this agreement are obeyed, the Genoese, on their own expense, shall have a permanent representative at the Ottoman court, appointed by the Doge of Genoa and accepted by the government of the Ottomans.

(two secret articles, 7 and 8, are added in a separate document.)

Signed
on behalf of the Doge of Genoa by Giovanni Doria.
Grand Visier Pasha of the Ottoman Empire

--------

The Silk-Navy Agreement of 1436

Between the Golden Horde and Genoa

1.
All silk trade shall go through the city of Kerch, where Genoese merchants will secure a 40% profit for the suppliers of silk, meaning great amounts of wealth for your merchants and caravans. Your merchants in Kerch will be taken good care of and enjoy all the privileges that the Genoese merchants have. They shall pay no tariffs and will enjoy total religious freedom in all of the Crimean provinces. Also, the silk traders will be ensured cheap goods in return, where Genoa will make no more than a 15% profit. Except on ship supplies, where Genoa will make a 30% profit.

2.
In exchange, 50 Genoese shipbuilders, under the Genoese shipbuilder Georgio of Kerch, shall cooperate with the Horde government to construct the amount of ships that the Horde should desire, paid for accordingly. The construction will take place in Kerch, where the current shipyard, now equipped to build medium sized merchant vessels, will be enlarged to take care of the construction of war gallies.

cancelled

--------

The Lagos Concessions

In their glorious wisdom, the King of Portugal, his Majesty Reginald of Witau, and the Doge of Genoa, his grace Alessandro Doria, have decided to engage in a close trade co-operation. The two lands will complement each other in a true Christian spirit of friendship and mutual understand. Therefore, this trade agreement shall be in effect upon its signing.

1.
Portuguese trade in the Mediterranean shall be handled via Genoese vessels and traders. Genoese merchants shall be permitted to purchase Portuguese commodities in the port of Lagos not exceeding 25% of the total volume available for purchase.

2.
Genoa shall ensure a permanent, sufficient and cheap flow of Eastern goods to the realm of Portugal. Genoa shall not make more than a 10% profit on the sale of these goods, ensuring the best possible prices for the people of Portugal.

3.
To oversee this activity, Genoa will at its own expense build a merchants house in the city of Lagos.

Signed
[X] - Francisco Doria, Genoese ambassador to the royal court of Portugal, on behalf of the Doge of Genoa, his grace Alessandro Doria
[X] - Reginald of Witau, King of Portugal

--------

Silk Distribution Agreement

Article 1
The Silk embarge against Genoa will be ceased imitiatly

Article 2
Genoa will be the only Christian state which is allowed to trade silk in Timurid harbours.

Article 3
The price genoa is to pay is atleast 133% of the old price for christians, if genoese merchants wish to raise the price with rising demand then that is allowed.

Article 4
Genoa will not sell the silk with a profit higher then 10%

Article 5
The Aghakhan and the Doge may end this agreement whenever they wish without consequenses.

Article 6
The doge will send a permanant Elci(diplomat) to Samarkand for the duration of this agreement.

--------

Extension of the Arms-Agreement

• Genoa shall increase its supply of weapons to Hungary by an additional 50%, to cover the remaining equipment not yet delivered by Venice.
• Genoa shall invest in the completion of the arsenal facilities near Kassa, and is contracted to build a second arsenal at Visegrád near Buda.
• Genoa shall be the only foreign nation permitted to import Silk into Hungary, to be enforced by excessive taxation.
• Hungary and Genoa grant each others armies military access in times of need.
• Hungary and Genoa guarantee each other peace and non-aggression.

--------

Agreement Regarding Genoese-Zayyanid Commerce

[1] Genoese merchant ships traversing the waters of the Maghrib shall be given the full protection of the Zayyanid navy. Under the orders of the Sultan, pirate attacks against Genoese vessels will be deterred using resources as deemed necessary by local commanders.

[2] Genoese merchant ships may water on islets and designated ports of the Zayyanid Caliphate without tax or tribute.

[3] The Republic of Genoa will guarantee weekly merchant shipments of goods such as timber, salt, dried meats, and olive oil to be sold in the regular manner to Zayyanid merchants in the ports of Oran and al-Jaza’ir. Genoese goods will be taxed with a nominal tariff of 10% to be paid by the merchant to the Naval Commerce Office.

[4] These same merchants will purchase full loads of Zayyanid goods such as copper, iron, tar, and precious gems in the regular manner without tax or tariff by either Genoa or the Zayyanid Caliphate. Genoese merchants will have right of first refusal for such goods should other Christian merchants also bid.

[5] Zayyanid merchants shall be allowed to trade in the ports of Genoa without harassment and under a status no worse than that of Christian nations.

--------

Mameluk Trade Agreement

"Genoan merchants will have monopoly, as the single christian nation, to export spices, ivory, salt, linen, glas and other luxury items intended for the European market that is producced or reexported via Egypt.

Genoa will have the righ to build and maintaine their own warhouses in Alexandria in order to be able to stock purchased goods intended for export.

Genoan merchants will pay a 40 percent toll on spices and 30 percent on other kind of goods shipped out by them from Egypt.

Genoa will provide the Egyptian market with timber, wine, copper and iron products aswell as oliveoil without imposing any tolls upon thoose goods.

Genoa promises to look favourable upon requests of financial support from the Sultanate of the Mamelukes.

This agreement is valid until the end of 1438, when the terms should be renegotiated."[/i]

[Molleby]

The Fleet

The Army

[Molleby]

X

[Wulfram]

A letter arrives from Venice

"Doge Allesandro Doria of Genoa,

Our two cities have been rivals for centuries, and often actual adversaries. This was perhaps inevitable, for we each seek to gain the wealth which trade with the east brings.

Of late, however, other powers have expanded their influence in the meditteranean, and our dominions, and indeed your own great city, have been ravaged by foreign powers. Both of us are challenged by these assaults, so I do not believe we can afford to continue our long contest. I would therefore ask if you would be interested in an agreement to secure cooperation between us, to our mutual benefit.

If you are interested in such an agreement, then I would like permission to send an ambassador to discuss a formal treaty between us.

Antonio Mocenigo, Dei Gratia Dux Venetiarum etc"

[KingWittelsbach]

A tall slender man enters the court of the Doge bows and speaks:


Doge Allesandro Doria of Genoa

I am Fernado de Vaca sent by his most royal majest King Alfonso V of Aragon. He thanks you for your ambassador and the wish to normalize relations between our two nations. Aragon would very much like to accept this hand of friendship for she believes there is much our two nations can do in the matter of trade. My king asks if you had any argreements of such in mind for he is very open and willing to speak of anything. I await your response.

[Das Heer]

A message arives from Russia.

[Wulfram]

Marcantonio Zen stepped stiffly into the court and bowed before the Genoan Doge

"Most Illustrious Prince, I am Marcantonio Zen, Nobleman of Venice, and recently elected ambassador to your Republic by the Senate of the Most Serene Republic of St Mark"

Zen thought he could feel the glares of some of the Genoans boring through his skull, but put on his best smile

"Venice wishes good relations with her sister Republic, and I have been authorised to offer you treaties which would almost amount to an alliance. However, I do not get the impression that such a thing would be welcomed by Genoa, and so have a more simple proposal. We would suggest an agreement to respect each others home seas - that is the Adriatic for Venice, and the Ligurian for Genoa - and to refrain from trading there. This would, we feel, give both of us an advantage, since we would be able to more easily dominate the trade of these places without competing with each other."

[Das Heer]

Another message arives from Moscow.

[KingWittelsbach]

A letter arrives bearing the royal seal of Aragon



Grand Doge,

I write this letter to you to speak of an grand opportunity that awaits not only you but the nations of the Rus. Your nation has known the harshness of the Horde, and lost land from it. With your two provinces so near to the Horde it would be grand for you to see them under the heal of the Rus. As you may well know Aragon has been in talks with the Russians and is going to help them with coin to help the Orthodox lands to revolt from the muslim tyrants. If your land would give the coin to the Russians for their armies alongside my coin to help the revolt, then the Russians would forever be free of the tyrants. What say you will you join Aragon in this alliance of funds to help free the far north. As well I would like to sign a trade pact that would forever insure that Aragon and Genoa were in charge our regions trade. What say you, let this first step of helping the Russians be our first steps towards friendship.


By this own hand in Valencia,
Alfonso V
King of Aragon

[Molleby]

Alessandro Doria took the Venetian ambassdor to an isolated room, so that they could talk in private.

"Most honourable lord Zen, your proposal is most generous and logical. There is no sense that our merchants fights each other to death in our home ports, when there are som many other opportunities for trade in these regions. I accept your proposal, and don't worry about the other families. I will take care of them... soon. Perhaps your doge would be so kind as to write up the agreement for me to sign?
On another note... It is clear to us all, that the Muslim forces are on the move once more, and I understand that your republic has been hard pressed by them. Perhaps it was about time our two republics put aside their differences and began close cooperation in both trade and defense? This will probably not be popular, but it is necessary. Genoa is just beginning to wake up after the last war, and Venice is very hard pressed at the moment. It is up to the leaders to take important, but also unpopular decisions."

[Das Heer]

A letter arives from Moscow,

"Gracious Doge of Genoa,

I am most thankful for your support of Russia, and I cannot express in words the joy I felt reading your letter. Russia will of course except the 300,000 ducats(3 ecos) from Genoa, and we would be more than willing to enter into a lucrative trade pact between our two realms. May peace and prosperity come to both of our realms.

written by his own hand in Moscow,
Vasily II, Czar of Russia, Emperor of all Russians"

[KingWittelsbach]

Grand Doge,

There is much that the nations of Aragon, Genoa, and Portugal can do together. Therefore let us meet in Valencia upon the first day of March to discuss what the future holds for our nations. Please come and be my guest for these talks of alliance and trade. I await your response.


By his own hand in Valencia,
Alfonso V
King of Aragon

[cccino]

Most Noble Doge of Genoa,

It is with great interest we receive your letter. It is certain we can come to some arrangement that benefits us both. You are most welcome to send a representative that we may discuss matters with the attention they deserve.

The letter bears the signature and royal seal of Matthias, King of Hungary and Croatia.

[Wulfram]

Ambassador Zen smiles

"Excellent, you Highness, I am sure that the Senate will swiftly draw up the formal treaty and dispatch it to you.

We do have one slight concern however. It has come to our attention that you are negotiating a commercial agreement with the Kingdom of Hungary, and we must wonder how you intend to use this without trading in the Adriatic.

Venice would certainly welcome closer cooperation between our two republics. Militarily, we would propose a mutual defence agreement - perhaps directed specifically against an islamic aggressor, perhaps of a more general nature. For matters of Trade, we would think it useful to cooperate, certainly. Together we can gain a nearly monopolistic position on trade in certain eastern goods, particularly Silk. If we were to set up a commitee, with members from both our republics, to set prices on Silk and other goods and to control the supply of these goods to the west, we would surely be able to increase our profits greatly."

[Mettermrck]

Lisbon

King Reginald listened thoughtfully as first the Genovese and then the Aragonese envoys presented their proposals. He nodded several times during the speeches, and was observed discussing the matter with Senor Alvarez, the portly man whom Reginald referred matters of trade and commerce to. He turned back to the envoys and nodded genially:



”Very interesting proposals you present. I would be honored to visit Valencia on the appointed date. It appears that King Alfonso and I have much to discuss, and the presence of Genoa only makes the matter more attractive. With our three states in concert, we can increase our influence over the affairs of the western Mediterranean, particularly for trade.

Portugal is willing to share its fruits of our expanding commerce in return for the fruits of your commerce. I think your merchants will find much to marvel at from our traders in Lagos.

And here, to take back to your rulers, a beautiful carved ivory horse for each of you."



"With our warmest regards." Reginald signals to a page who brings the figures out to the envoys, bows, and backs away.

[Das Heer]

A letter arives from Moscow.