While many would assume a war of succession would have no meaning beyond the claims and ambitions of the men who would be king, but this is far from being the case in the war that is currently being raged in Hispania. This war has lanced a deep and festering boil, who's putrid liquids now bathe our lands in fire and blood. Truly enough, the new cultural movements in which our people are expressing their voice are forming in the lines of battle. While the freedom of speech was granted and enshrined for the people by Pope Leo XIV (both freedoms to take a voice to the local lord or cortes and freedom of assembly), an astounding 72% felt that their voices were ignored anyway by the Borgia government, as reported by polling in El Papel Papal. Two politcal movements have formed the bedrock of support for both claimnants of the Spanish Kingdom. The Bastardo armies of Alfonso are partisanly built off the "Movimiento de la gente mansa", a 'new-left' socialistic cause that wishes to see more power and wealth be brought from the cortes to the poorest and lowest quarters of society. Carlos's "Nuevas Carlistas" seek a return to absolutist, Spanish, royal power. Seen as an alternative to mainline conservatism and a rejection of Pope Leo XIV's liberalization of politcal rights and humanitarianism, the Carlistas are ideolgically solid and passionate. Protests from both movements have appeared in Italy Proper, but have been effectively repressed by our Papal government, for peace in the peninsula. Both sides have criticized Pope Pelagius for his silence and enabling of this war's continuation, even though his arbitration could spread a contained conflict to the whole of the Borgia dominion.
Battles are continuing to be waged in Iberia, but little movement of either side's fronts has occured. A spearhead offensive to retake Madrid by Alfonso was broken by Carlista forces a few weeks ago. While Jean de Borgia has besieged Zaragoza, a offensive of armored divsions and air support have captured Requena and continue moving towards Valencia. The outlaw queen Maria has been spotted somewhere near Seville, leaving the dismembered bodies of several Carlista nobles hanging from overpasses within the city. Information leading towards her capture will be rewarded. Portugal's attemtped rebellion has been snuffed out as Lisbon comes under occupation by the Pope's Sacred Band, citing any such rebellion as war against the papacy as opposed towards their king. The Pope's Christmas address will soon follow.
Battles are continuing to be waged in Iberia, but little movement of either side's fronts has occured. A spearhead offensive to retake Madrid by Alfonso was broken by Carlista forces a few weeks ago. While Jean de Borgia has besieged Zaragoza, a offensive of armored divsions and air support have captured Requena and continue moving towards Valencia. The outlaw queen Maria has been spotted somewhere near Seville, leaving the dismembered bodies of several Carlista nobles hanging from overpasses within the city. Information leading towards her capture will be rewarded. Portugal's attemtped rebellion has been snuffed out as Lisbon comes under occupation by the Pope's Sacred Band, citing any such rebellion as war against the papacy as opposed towards their king. The Pope's Christmas address will soon follow.