Since 1603’s Union of the Crowns, Britain has seen a century of turbulence and religious upheaval. The 'Glorious Revolution' of 1688 swept away the hated Catholic James II and a short war in Ireland followed, which secured the rule of the Protestant monarchs William and Mary.

Britain’s strength lies at sea. The English Channel keeps the Continental powers at bay, and overseas territories provide vital income to bolster the navy.

Under Louis XIV, France has enjoyed fifty years of military reforms and improved administration.

In 1700, France is the pre-eminent power in Western Europe, with an unrivalled military, extensive colonial possessions and a King both respected and feared. Few nations pose a threat, and France is surrounded by possibilities. Beyond Europe lies even greater opportunities, but to take advantage of these, the perfidious British must first be swept aside!

The Duchy of Austria has been the eastern bulwark against Ottoman incursion into Europe for 250 years.

Now it is a leading power among “the Germanies”. Whether the path to glory leads the Austrians to try to restore the borders of the old Holy Roman Empire or to assault those of their Ottoman enemies, before long they will be forced to confront the pan-Slavic ambitions of the powerful Russian Tsar…

The United Provinces are a Protestant Dutch stronghold in Northwest Europe, where science, trade and freedom of thought flourish. They have become the foremost naval power in the world, even sailing up the Thames to burn the English fleet at anchor.

Dutch merchants are found wherever there is a profit to be made, and their naval strength allows them to break the trading monopolies of their European rivals.

The Spanish have long been conquerors and colonisers — with the stated aim of serving God, Spain, and getting rich!

In 1700, the end of a troubled reign looms for their feeble-minded, childless monarch, Charles II. When Charles dies, what forces will shape the Empire? Can Spain face down its Protestant rivals? Will there be a new generation of conquistadores to plant the Spanish flag on distant shores?

Prussia has only been “German” since the 13th Century when the Teutonic Knights carved out a Christian state on the Baltic. Today’s Kingdom of Prussia is the result of a union between the duchies of Brandenburg and Prussia.

They have the potential to become a great power thanks to their martial traditions, and under the right guidance, they could unite the German-speaking people — perhaps extending their reach beyond Central Europe.

Poland is a rare republican state surrounded by ambitious rivals. That the country has survived is a tribute to its people.

A Polish leader who picks his alliances carefully, and his wars equally so, could make his country great. The Russians have no divine right to the steppes. Nor the Swedes to the Baltic. The German states need allies. A clever Polish leader could make much of this situation…

Ottoman power is unmatched in extent and grandeur, as befits an empire straddling Europe and Asia, and controlling the whole of Mediterranean North Africa. This Turkish, Islamic empire supplanted the Byzantines in the 15th Century, quickly expanding into Europe.

Their army and navy are old-fashioned, but numerous. Domination of the Mediterranean would give European powers much to fear, and eastward expansion might unlock the riches of India…

Russia is a sleeping giant with age-old traditions and strong religious beliefs. But now, it seeks change in its technology, culture and military organisation. If successful, it will be formidable — with boundless resources, and a steadfast population to bolster its armies.

Wresting the Baltic from Sweden would give access to the wider world’s lucrative markets, and the Orthodox of the Balkans would find a natural home in the Russian Empire.

Sweden dominates Scandinavia and the Baltic. This northern empire is the legacy of the warrior-king, Gustavus II Adolphus, emerging from the Thirty Years War as a formidable military power.

Sweden is a robust, aggressive state surrounded by danger. To the east, the Russians need access to the Baltic. To the south, Poland-Lithuania wants to reclaim its lost lands. To the west, the other Scandinavian nations seek an end to Swedish domination…

The Maratha Confederacy was born from violence. Their Maratha rulers are Indian Rajas, and while their armies may look old-fashioned, their nation exists only because they had the strength to carve it out.

The Mughals may yet have to be driven from India... Only then will the continent have the unity necessary to deter the Europeans who jealously eye her riches.