Tonnage War

The Tonnage War (Hanseatic: tonnagekrieg) was a conflict in the Greater Hanseatic region between The Kingdom of Bressa and the Hansea Staatenbund. The war resulted in the Staatenbund city-states being absorbed into Bressa and the creation of the Great Kingdom of Bressa-Hansea. 
== The Eve of the War ==
In 883BGE, the Hanseatic city state of Malergrundisch issued a new tax, the Large Ship Tax, to foreign ships over a certain tonnage that used the Malerisch straight. The Kingdom of Bressa perceived this as an effort to force their ships to dock at Malergrundisch to offload goods, rather than their ships sailing through the straight to Amstrad and Wasmeinau where more profit could be gained. Furthermore, some contemporary observers considered such a tax to be targeted at Bressa, as its merchant fleet was primarily comprised of larger vessels (which had to contend with ice in the seas around Bressa).
Following notification of the new tax, King Bismund von Hoffen of Bressa ordered the royal trading ship Fahnenstange to deliver cargo to Amstrad. Its captain was issued with orders to refuse to pay the Large Ship Tax in both directions. As instructed, upon reaching the straight the Fahnenstange refused to pay the tax and they successfully navigated the straight. However, on their return trip they were confronted by the Malergrundisch navy. Upon further refusal to pay the tax, the Fahnenstange was seized and its crew detained.
Bressa issued a formal protest to both Malergrundisch and the Staatenbund, but their complaints were refused and they were informed that the tax would be upheld. Although the crew of the Fahnenstange were released, Malegrundsich asserted that the vessel would not be released until the appropriate dues were paid.
In response, King Bismund launched a military campaign against the Hansea Staatenbund confederacy, with a surprise attack on the straight. Records indicate that news of this military action appeared to take the Staatenbund by surprise. However, Amstrad and Wasmeinau diplomats expressed confidence that their action would be quickly stopped at the defensive chokepoint around Malergrundisch. A Wasmeinau ambassador to the Staatenbund is quoted in records as stating: 'Malergrundisch is the dragon, and Bressa the brother first', in reference to a famous Hanseatic folktale.
However, Bressa's surprise attack had caught the Malergrundisch navy off-guard. Bressa blockaded Malergrundisch ships at the Western harbour and seized control of the straight. Meanwhile, they sunk much of the Malergrundisch fleet, based in the enclosed eastern harbour, with fire ships. Despite having lost their core naval capacity, Malergrundisch was heavily fortified and commanders felt confident that they could hold the city 'for months'. However, instead of pressing the attack
Category:War