ANNO DOMINI, 1512, MÄRZ

Württemberg was in a precarious situation, Ulrich's kinsmen had accumulated a hefty amount of debt for the young Herzog to try alleviate. Luckily, the Herzogswürde was large and the population vast. Ulrich consulted his advisors and council for what was the most effective way to help stabilise the Württemberger economy.

Under advice from his closest confidants, Ulrich organised the Württemberger Landtag to meet once again for a Diet, something that hadn't been done in over fifty odd years. Ulrich was cruel and callous, but he was not dumb. He knew that the only way to keep Württemberg from falling into the hands of the unwashed masses was to consult the estates and create a beneficial agreement that would help wash away the hefty debt accumulated.

Based on this, Ulrich has called together the Landtag in a way so that the Ehrbarkeit (Honourable and Reliable) Councillors were in the majority. A common play by Ulrich against the largely weak Württemberg Landtag. The historical lack of resistance on their part to Ulrich's strong central seat showed that the Councillors had neither a strong leader and popular support nor a permanent position in the Duchy's constitution and could be easily coerced.

Once the Landtag was called and all the Councillors of Württemberg had arrived to Tübingen (Chosen specifically because it would limit the upset citizens/peasants from Stuttgart who would appear) Herzog Ulrich begun the meeting with his proposals.

ULRICH: Ritterschaft, Freiherr, and the various Councillors from the vast lands of the Herzogswürde, I welcome you to Tübingen. It has been fifty odd years since our last meeting. I promise you, this will not be the case in the future.

The young Herzog clasped his hands together.

ULRICH: I am unhappy to say that the reason I've brought you to discuss is something so dour. The coffers of the Herzogswürde are growing thin, soon we will have more debt than we could possibly deal with.

He paused for the nobles exclamations.

ULRICH: Before you point fingers and cast stones, I have begun the process of defining what is the reason for this. I am convinced that the poor economic situation here is the fault of my predecessors for I have done nothing but promote our lands and develop a strong and well-trained force.

He pointed out at the Landtag.

ULRICH: I am led to believe that all of you are to blame.

He paused and let some of the more spluttering Freiherr calm themselves down from the accusatory pointing of the slightly deranged Herzog.

ULRICH: I have the idea to raise taxes dramatically to help alleviate our debt, couple that with some investment into the production centres of our Herzogswürde and the development of some roads we may revitalise our land.

He smirked.

ULRICH: Or we could begin the.... annexation of neighboring lands that ancestrally should be ours. Well, what say you, noble Landtag? Do you support my plans? Do you have ideas yourselves? Surely a group of wise men like you could easily think of something to solve our woes.

With those words, the Landtag rose up in an uproar. All across the meeting room noble Freiherr and Reichsritter argued with one another and accused the Herzog of trying to destroy Württemberg for his own enjoyment. Eventually, one of Ulrich's guards slammed a staff onto the floor and called order to the bickering Swabians.

ULRICH: I do not actually mean to invade a friend within the Empire. I just wanted to see your world come crashing down in front of you. You see, noble men of Württemberg. I control the state. I control the Landtag. I even control this Diet. You cannot do anything without my approval and my support, so you will have to learn how to follow my lead. You can either join me in the race to improve Württemberg, or you can block what I do and face the consequences to your actions.

Ulrich stood up from his spot and walked around the room.

ULRICH: I have decided that taxes will be raised. We shall also begin construction on legitimate roads to connect Stuttgart and Tübingen. I have also decided that we will invest into our grain farms, we are the breadbasket of the Empire and it's about time we reap those rewards. In future we will expand our metal and glass production, Württemberg will be recognised for our importance and how we cannot be so simply replaced. I will send out letters to you all with the final plans for our expansion. You all agree unanimously, correct?

The Freiherr and Reichsritter of Württemberg, although on the more Ulrich-loyal side, still sat in silence before uncomfortably clapping and agreeing to the plans of the Herzog.

Post-Landtag Effects

• A tax is raised under a special emergency provision to help balance the coffers, by all accounts it is rather unfair and punishes serfs the heaviest.
• Plans begin to stake out a road between Stuttgart and Tübingen. (Next Post)
• Plans begin to expand industry within Württemberg. (Next Post)