Baroness' War

The Baroness' War was a conflict fought between the Kingdom of Pyrus and the Kingdom of Anzio. It was caused by the alleged murder of The Honourable Seulta Ulke, The Baroness of Mudros by Anzion agents. The war began on 26th October 1750 with a formal declaration of war by the Kingdom of Pyrus upon the Kingdom of Anzio, which included an ultimatum for a payment of 10,000gcs to be made to avert war, and hostilities on 1st November 1750 when the Pyrusian 3rd Division crossed the border near Bugedqueed. Following the First Battle of Dantalor, the seige and fall of the town of Dantalor and the naval Battle of Hobozjob, the Kingdom of Anzio capitulated with the signing of the Bach Treaty of Capitulation on 21st November 1750.

## Background

The Kingdom of Pyrus and the Kingdom of Anzio had been perennial enemies for centuries, although the long peace of King Bach had meant that by 1750 there had not been a conflict between the two nations for almost forty years, following the end of the 2nd Pyro-Anzion War in 1710. Elements within the Pyrusian Royal Court had been agitating for years to establish Pyrusian hegemony over the Pyrusian Peninsula, but they had been resisted by the King who believed that his Kingdom was better served through stability and security.

## Pre-War Events

On 24th October 1750 The Honourable Seulta Ulke, The Baroness of Mudros died in suspicious circumstances, she was the wife of General The Honourable Melkrone Ulke, 1st Baron of Mudros, Commander of the 1st Army. While the actual reason for her death has not been conclusively established, the Kingdom of Pyrus alledged that agents of the Kingdom of Anzio had arranged her murder. It is likely that the grieving husband used the death of his wife to promote his own agenda, which included declaring war on Anzio.

## Course of the War

On 1st November 1750 the 3rd Division of the Pyrusian Army, having received orders the same day, set out from Bugedqueed (where they were stationed) southwards to cross the Pyro-Anzion border with the objective of capturing the Town of Dantalor. The following day scouts reported that the border was undefended and so the 1st Dragroons were the first Pyrusian troops to enter Anzion territory, followed by the rest of the Division. Following the road the division turned westwards, in parallel with the River Mantus on their right. Having covered a significant distance the previous two days and with scouts not reporting the enemy to be close at hand, the division rested on the third day; that evening reports reached the division that significant Anzion forces were assembling to the west - these were the Anzion 2nd Division who had left their billet at Dantalor, further west, on 2nd November 1750. On 4th November 1750 the Anzions having taken up defensive positions across the road were attacked by the Pyrusians in what became known as the First Battle of Dantalor. Despite significant Pyrusian casualties they were victorious with the Anzion force withdrawning to Dantalor, the Pyrusians pursued.

On 5th November 1750 the Pyrusian 2nd Division received orders to hold the northern bank of the River Mantus in Grishin unless summoned to support the 1st Division who were billeted in the City of Baddacon.

The Pyrusian 3rd Division invested the Town of Dantalor on 6th November 1750 having pursued the withdrawing Anzion 2nd Division there. The next day, the Pyrusian Commander ordered an assault which failed with some casualties.

By 8th November the casualties of the 3rd Division, caused by the First Battle of Dantalor and the first assault on Dantalor, made the Pyrusian Commander order that the 2nd Division should move to cross the River Mantus east of Darront Wood and support the 3rd Division. On the same day the Pyrusian 1st Fleet received orders to leave its anchorage at Moringill and proceed to Hobozjob, they made sail the following day.

On 14th November 1750 the Pyrusian 3rd Division made their second assault on Dantalor which was successful, despite significant casualties many Anzion prisoners were taken.

On 15th November 1750 ANS King Giles and ANS Wave Glider rendezvoused with ANS Viscount of Bung Island and ANS Viscount of Novara Island off the north cape of Bung Island and the Anzion 1st Fleet set sail to blockade Hobozjob. On the same day the Pyrusian 2nd Division began thier movement eastwards through Darront Wood to cross the River Mantus and support the 3rd Division at Dantalor.

On 18th November 1750 orders reached the 1st Division to leave their billets at Baddacon and move southeast to take up defensive positions around the bridge over the River Mantus from Nisloque.

On 19th November 1750 the Pyrusian 1st Fleet of three 8th Tier Vessels encountered the Anzion 1st Fleet of four 8th Tier Vessels and engaged in the Battle of Hozbojob. The battle was a success for the Anzions with two of the three Pyrusian ships suffering severe damage but escaping with the rest of the fleet to the port at Hobozjob.

On 20th November 1750 the Pyrusian 2nd Division began their crossing of the River Mantus unopposed led by troops of the 5th Foot Musketeers.

On 21st November 1750 the Bach Treaty of Capitulation was signed bringing an end to the Baroness' War.

## Aftermath

The Kingdom of Pyrus received 2,000gcs in reparations from the Kingdom of Anzio and Dantalor had to pay a Liberation Fee of 300gcs as well as surrendering all the weapons and horses within the Town.

The Kingdom of Anzio regained their occupied territory and a guarantee of five months' non-aggression.