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Thanks for your support on Patreon,

Michael Groner.

Michael was one of many messengers who worked for the

Taxis Syndicate. The Taxis controlled mail deliveries across the Holy Roman Empire, so Michael was

kept very busy when the diplomacy intensified at Westphalia. In fact, Michael, you better get back

to work. This, of course, is all lie.

But if you would like me to lie about you, you know where to go.

patreon.com forward slash when diplomacy fails.

More on that later.

But for now, enjoy this episode of the 30 Years' War.

So last time we examined the year 1644, we noted how matters on the battlefield changed the shape of negotiations underway

in Westphalia. France powered on alone in 1644 as Sweden ruined Denmark. But the much-anticipated

Habsburg double team never happened, thanks to the intervention of Transylvania and the resilience of new marshals

like Turenne along the Rhine. With their defences holding as 1644 became 1645, it seemed possible

for Cardinal Maturin to plan into the future with a new campaigning season, and sure enough,

1645 was destined to be one of the most successful years of all

...