Conseil du Royaume (Council of the Kingdom)
None could quite remember when the Council of the Kingdom had begun. It had seemed as if it had always been present. Rumor even had it that the current Council building had been built on the spot where Frankish Kings and their nobles had met whenever Charlemagne felt like declaring war on the saxons, which was pretty much always.
The Council building was in the heart of Paris, next to the Royal Palace. Although longer and lower than that famed building, it was no less opulent. Visitors had to walk through a large park full of walkways and marble fountains to reach it's entrance, guarded both by heavily armored spearmen and a pair of elegant statues in the shape of lions, which seemed to prowl watchfully on either side of the main door. Once inside they had a choice to go down one of three hallways. The two to either side lead to the wings of the building in which diplomats and minor functionaries were housed. There was also, at the end of the east wing, a small armory and barracks for the guards. The hallway straight ahead from the entrance led to a pair of large oak doors, carved with scenes from france's history and guarded by more spearmen. Through those doors was the Council chamber, an immense circular room. The walls were lined with tapestries guarded by empty suits of armor, with stained glass windows depicting saints at regular intervals. The ceiling wass painted with both scenes from the book of Genesis as well as battles scenes involving French leaders such as Charles Martel and Charlemagne.
Around the room tables have been set up, all facing a dais in the center. The largest are decorated with the heraldry of the various Houses, as well as whatever additions their occupants have wished to add. Functionaries and servants dash between the tables to wait on their masters and set up. A man reaching the end of his middle years, but still of stately appearance, wearing the livery of the King, stands on the dais to make an announcement.
"The Conseil du Royaume of 1080 has begun! It shall close for voting on the 8th of August at 22:00 PST, so make your edicts, amendments, and announce Seneschal candidacies while you can."
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