What Happens When The Church Runs Out Of Money?

When the CoGA runs out of money it will be a psychological blow. They have represented legitimate authority for centuries. Many of their followers, even those who aren't creditors, will be shaken if the pillar of respectability turns into a deadbeat.

Few things would serve Merlin's goals better. Battlefield victories gain control of the battlefield. Psychological victories break the hold of the Church.

It seems to b that yes, the church may run out of gold they already have, but the gold isn't being destroyed, it's just being used purchase things and is still in *somebody's* possession, most of who are in church controlled areas.

A quick "tithe" based on current wealth instead of income to only hit those who have all the gold and the church will be solvent again.

Who's going to argue with the church and inquisition if they declare it's God's will?

Rnewman wrote:It seems to b that yes, the church may run out of gold they already have, but the gold isn't being destroyed, it's just being used purchase things and is still in *somebody's* possession, most of who are in church controlled areas.

A quick "tithe" based on current wealth instead of income to only hit those who have all the gold and the church will be solvent again.

Who's going to argue with the church and inquisition if they declare it's God's will?

They might do that. But the difficulty with that trick is that at this point the church has already used up too much credibility. The instant people got wind of it portable assets would start disappearing. All too many people have lost their means of living as trade has dried up. Were they to take land, what would they do with it? The war has already absorbed so much capital that very few people would have the means of buying more. In fact unless you are profiting on the war effort, you are probably a lot worse off than you were a few years ago.

Even if they could pull it off, doing something like that would only be a one time shot in the arm. What would they do for their next act? You couldn't do it repeatedly without resistance going through the roof. And even if you do it once it would be seen as a sign that the church is desperate and the illusion perpetrated on Safehold that the church's wealth is infinite would be completely shattered.

All of that being said, they could well try something like that.

Don

-