[[portugal]]

The Kingdom of Portugal

The Kingdom of Portugal may appear like a smaller brother to that of Spain, and indeed the latter appears to be a greater power in Europe, but Portugal has much untapped worth. Portugese adventurers and colonists have been as active as those of Spain or Albion and compete on par with them. Even the Floods, which affected Portugal more than Spain, have not cooled any of the desire to thrust the country into the greats of Europe. Magnificent things were done to stop flood-waters and a display of co-operative magic to rival the raising of the Isle of Oxford was performed to protect Porto and its surrounding lands.

Trade is booming more than ever and Portugese shipping is prominent in the Atlantic and is even becoming noticeable elsewhere. The Portugse merchants are astute, their sailors hardy, their Captain bold and adventurous. Indeed, those in the know in Albion suspect that Portugal's holdings in the South and West of South America far outstrip those of Albion or Spain in size.

His Most Catholic Majesty King Philip IV of Spain, Portugal, Naples and Sicily

The King of Spain is also the King of Portugal, though the two Kingdoms remain independant with their own laws, nobility and ideals. The Portugese aren't the best friends with the Spanish and King Philip pays little attention to his Portugese domain, letting the councils and nobles of Portugal run their own country. His advisors in Spain have suggested he unify the two kingdoms under his rule, the same thing they have said to his predecessors. Philip has entertained the idea and indeed suggested it to the Grandees of Portugal - he was met with firm refusal.

The Portugese are afraid that military force may come to bear against them but have no intention of submitting to the direct rule of Spain.

Relations with Albion

The Alliance between England and Portugal dates to 300 years before and has remained strong and honourable all this time. The Treaty was renewed with the creation of Albion and Portugal has been more keen than ever to keep Albion its ally against possible Spanish intervention and aggression. The two countries have found it easy to co-operate and both trade and colonisation have prospered through the mutual peace - neither encroaching on the other.

Portugal is a rising political power and Albion nurtures its relationship since there is little but advantage in such an arrangement.

Creatures, Boats and Captains

Lately it has been the fashion of Portugese adventurers, eccentrics and Captains of ships and fleets to emulate the style of Albion and use sea-serpents. There have been attempts to train gryphons and dragons too though the Portugese approach is perhaps slower and more delicate than that of Albion's rearers. Captain Sebastião Zé Salvatori, perhaps the most famous and definately the most eccentric Portugese sea-Captain of the Sao Fábia has acquired a sort of menagerie of exotic and mythic creatures he is trying to train in the arts of… nobody is quite sure what really.

Catholic Portugal

While a Catholic country, its people as devout as those of Spain, politically it is much less active and prefers to keep its religion out of international politics as much as possible, not least since its main ally is Protestant.

Playing a Portugese

The Portugese are relatively common in Albion, and well tolerated, they are reputed to be excellent soldiers and adventurers, generally sound and moderate in their political thinking. There are of course those who resent the friendship with England and those Portugese who make a habit of visiting England and making friends there.

Playing a Portugese has the attached problem of being Catholic (though it is possible to be a Protestant or even Anglican Portugese) but as foreign guests their presence is just about tolerated. The antagonism between Portugal and Spain and the country's long friendship with England is usually enough to persuade the moderate Catholic-haters - occasionally it's wise to just run.

portugal.txt · Last modified: 2007/10/03 22:31 by innokenti