INTEL 770

Military Doctrine for Vassals, Nobles, and Knights of Hungary and Europe: Defending the Values That Define European Civilization

I. Introduction: Purpose and Context

This doctrine outlines the guiding principles for the vassals, nobles, and knights of Hungary and Europe, to defend the values that have formed the foundation of European civilization for centuries. It calls for the protection of European principles in the face of external threats, internal strife, and moral decay, ensuring that Europe’s heritage is preserved for future generations.

Historically, Europe has been shaped by the amalgamation of its Christian faith, Greco-Roman intellectual traditions, and the medieval chivalric code. These pillars gave rise to values such as science, humanism, inclusivity, forgiveness, righteousness, and other Christian ideals, which remain essential to the continent’s identity.

The aim of this military doctrine is to foster strategic defense that safeguards not only Europe’s borders but also its intrinsic values.

II. Core European Values: A Legacy to Defend

Science and Intellectual Pursuit

Value: Europe has long championed intellectual inquiry, rationalism, and the scientific method. From the Scholasticism of the Middle Ages to the Scientific Revolution, Europe’s growth in knowledge empowered innovation and progress.
Historical Example: The University of Paris, founded in 1150, symbolized the thirst for knowledge that drove medieval scholars to explore both theological and empirical questions. The work of Copernicus and Galileo furthered Europe’s intellectual authority.
Strategic Goal: Protect and foster institutions of learning, research, and the free exchange of ideas from all threats, whether from external invaders or internal reactionaries. Military defense must extend to universities, libraries, and centers of knowledge.

Humanism and Individual Dignity

Value: Rooted in Christian theology and Greco-Roman thought, humanism emphasizes the inherent dignity of all human beings. It advocates for justice, compassion, and the pursuit of a good and virtuous life.
Historical Example: The Renaissance Humanists, such as Erasmus of Rotterdam, revived classical ideals and sought to reconcile human achievement with Christian faith. The development of human rights in the Magna Carta (1215) exemplified the medieval pursuit of justice.
Strategic Goal: Defend the dignity of individuals, ensuring that military action upholds justice, avoids unnecessary violence, and protects civilians. Soldiers and commanders must conduct themselves with honor and integrity in line with the chivalric tradition.

Inclusivity and Cultural Exchange

Value: Despite periods of conflict, Europe has historically been a place where cultures and ideas met. From the Silk Road trade routes to the intellectual exchanges in Al-Andalus, Europe thrived when open to diverse influences.
Historical Example: The Kingdom of Hungary under Saint Stephen I welcomed immigrants and encouraged tolerance among its diverse population. The Reconquista in Spain, while focused on reclaiming Christian territories, also led to centuries of cultural and scientific collaboration between Christians, Jews, and Muslims.
Strategic Goal: Promote unity within diversity. Military forces must encourage alliances, integrating different peoples and regions into a broader European identity. Vassals, nobles, and knights should facilitate cooperation between diverse ethnic groups while defending the core tenets of European civilization.

Forgiveness and Reconciliation

Value: Christianity places a strong emphasis on forgiveness, both on an individual level and as a means of maintaining societal harmony. This value has been crucial in reconciling past grievances and building a unified Europe.
Historical Example: The Treaty of Westphalia (1648), which ended the Thirty Years’ War, was an act of mutual forgiveness and established the concept of state sovereignty, contributing to the peace and order of post-war Europe.
Strategic Goal: Incorporate mercy and reconciliation into wartime conduct and post-conflict strategies. When possible, pursue peace negotiations, offer pardons to enemies willing to surrender, and promote the reintegration of defeated foes into society.

Righteousness and Justice

Value: The defense of the weak and the pursuit of justice have been central to European chivalric ideals, rooted in both Christian and Roman traditions. True justice, based on fairness, has been a cornerstone of European law and governance.
Historical Example: The Crusades, while complex in their motives and outcomes, were often driven by a desire to defend Christian lands and peoples from aggression. The knightly orders, such as the Knights Templar and the Teutonic Order, were founded on the principle of defending the righteous cause.
Strategic Goal: Ensure that military decisions align with a higher moral standard. Vassals and knights must not only fight to defend physical territories but also to protect the innocent, uphold the rule of law, and punish corruption and treachery.

III. Military Strategies to Defend Europe’s Values

Intelligence Gathering and Counter-Intelligence

Objective: Protect European intellectual assets (universities, libraries, scholars) from espionage and sabotage.
Execution: Establish a robust network of spies to gather information on hostile powers. Emphasize protecting centers of learning as critical targets. Utilize agents skilled in both the arts of war and the principles of science to safeguard Europe’s intellectual dominance.

Defensive Alliances and Diplomacy

Objective: Build strong alliances based on shared European values to resist external aggressors, whether from the East (e.g., the Ottoman Empire) or from internal dissent.
Execution: Forge coalitions between Christian kingdoms and states to mount a unified defense of Europe. Diplomatic envoys should prioritize negotiating peace based on mutual respect and shared values, seeking to avoid conflict unless righteousness demands it.

Religious and Moral Justification for Warfare (Just War Theory)

Objective: Ensure that military campaigns adhere to moral and religious principles, defending not only lands but the values of Christianity.
Execution: Knights and nobles must consult with religious leaders before declaring war, ensuring it aligns with Just War Theory, which promotes defense of the innocent, restoration of peace, and proportionality in combat. Avoid unnecessary bloodshed and destruction.

Fortification of Key Sites

Objective: Defend religious, cultural, and educational centers that embody Europe’s values.
Execution: Erect and reinforce castles, fortresses, and monasteries, particularly those that are centers of learning, such as abbeys and universities. Nobles and knights should be prepared to garrison troops at these sites to protect them from invaders.

Humanitarian Operations in Warfare

Objective: Protect civilians and uphold the chivalric code, even during wartime.
Execution: Commanders should ensure military actions are conducted with minimal harm to civilian populations. Deploy resources to aid the sick and wounded, both friend and foe, in line with the Christian value of mercy. Use the Hospitallers’ example of combining military might with medical care.

IV. Conclusion: The Eternal Mission of European Defense

Europe’s legacy is not merely territorial; it is built on the ideals and values that emerged from its history, culture, and Christian faith. The duty of every vassal, noble, and knight is not only to defend the land but to embody and protect these values in every action. By upholding the traditions of science, humanism, inclusivity, forgiveness, and righteousness, we ensure that Europe remains the beacon of civilization that it has been for centuries.

Military strategy, intelligence, and conduct in war must always align with the moral and ethical standards that have long defined European identity. Victory is not only achieved on the battlefield but in the preservation of the ideals that make Europe great.

For the Cross and the Crown, for Justice and Peace, for Europe!

End of Doctrine