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Alain stands and bows to the King, Dauphin and Seneschal.
My King,
now zat we 'ave finally seen fit to make our zoughts known as a body of nobles 'ere in zis Council, I request ze following.
I wish to take Angers once ze war against England is inevitably called.
Alain holds the Dauphin's gaze for moment and sits.
Duc Alain,
It was also my wish when and if we declare war to ask you to march on Angers and try to capture Guillaume's son Rufus, who has been living the good life, drinking Angevin wine, and womanizing the daughters of the local nobility and peasantry alike.
We could fetch a good ransom for his head and should he die, it would be a fitting punishment for Guillaume.
Prince Henri stands
My lord Alain, a noble offer and I hope the Seneschal considers your request.
My lords, My King, I am unclear of the situation at this time…no war has been declared as we await the Papacy’s response to my fathers request for a Crusade yet it seems the Seneschal has not as yet decided upon a target for the Crusade.
However, the organisation and gathering of a Crusade does indeed take time. Time we can use to ensure the safety…if they wish it of course…of the Lords de Rochefort and la Sueur.
Perhaps my brother can aid in raising such funds?
I again pledge myself to defend our Eastern borders as has our noble lord of Frankfurt himself. I also add that I will do this with whatever forces are available now and ask for no greater forces or recruitment.
The merest “suggestion” that my brother be flogged for his violation of the outdated edict 2.8 is abhorrent in the extreme! I have suggested in the council that after his assault a suitable punishment be handed out by the King himself but not this!! To withdraw his forces now wastes time and money, money we will have little of to give to troops to just move back and forth in the countryside.
Hugues enters the Conseil. Reeves is behind him, hanging his head in shame.
My King and fellow Nobles. It appears that there was a. . .small. . .very small. . .accidental. . .miscalculation when it came to voting. I have explained it in an addendum to the current report.
Long story short, Edict E1.3b passed, so please take that into account. No other Legislation was effected.
I am sorry for the misunderstanding.
Hugues turns to Henri.
Your Highness, I have no intention of flogging the Dauphin. If you review my report, in it I make a rather macabre jest: If I was to be killed for disbanding the Prince's army, I should only be lightly flogged for suggesting that he move it.
The Duc sighs.
Of course if you have to explain a joke. . .it's not a very good one.
Henri stands to address the Seneschal
Indeed my lord, best not jest even of your own demise huh? You have served our nation well and it has taken its toll upon you but rest assured you have our thanks I am sure for your continued hard work and my personal wishes for your continued health…in particularly the retention of your head upon your shoulders no?
I am also glad that the voting has finished fully and that you find yourself in a much clearer position with regards England and the Councils agreed actions.
Henri bows slightly to the Duc before sitting again
Alain grunts in amusement after the Seneschal's statement.
"So we 'ave permission for two crusades?!! God will surely be pleased wiz us after all zat crusading is done.
Bowing to the King.
"By your Kings command I will take Angers when you deem it time."
Hugues dips his head to Henri.
I am quite happy with keeping my head on my shoulders, unless it's after a night of too much wine.
The Duc shrugs at Alain.
Yes, two Crusades have been sanctioned by the Conseil, though I doubt the Pope will grant us a second Crusade against the Moors until many years have passed. (OOC: Ten turns assuming continued Papal favor.)
Henri stands again at mention of the crusade against the Moors
My Lords, this edict was my proposal. Obviously, should the Pope not grant us this then we cannot fulfil the edict fully. It may be possible to agree an amendment to the edict AFTER our current possible conflict with England and the potential crusade against them has passed.
I am sure that a Holy Quest, a Crusade by any other name other than official sanction from the Papacy, would be sufficient and even a fitting use for those noble troops who heed the call for Crusade now.
However, that is to be decided and we must now concentrate on the immediate task we have set ourselves.
Mes Seigneurs,
We must prepare for war... Let us use this season for our preparations and at then send a request to the Pope at the turn of the season for a crusade on England.
As I've told our Senechal privately, we shouldn't delay too much nor should we be too hasty lest it endangers the lives of our stranded Knights in Albion. This season's delay should also allow us to discover the whereabouts of Guillaume.
As to the choice of a target for that Crusade, I know that the Edict asks for the Crusade to be called on London, but in this respect I think we should follow the spirit of it rather than the letter.
Should our spy discover that Guillaume has fled his capital, we should have his new hiding ground declared by the Pope as the Crusade target.
Turning to Louis
That said, I will ask my son Louis to leave his camp under the walls of Bordeaux and march a few days' march away, to be still able to strike swiftly but not be too threatening.
Then looking at Alain,
I will also ask Duc Alain to assemble his men for his proposed assault on Angers.
Finally scanning the benches
Lastly I will ask all knights of the Royaume to make themselves known as willing to take the Cross and join me on the road to Calais from where we'll be crossing the Channel and bring the fight to Guillaume.
Philippe then turns to his son Henri
Henri, I consider your Edict to be nothing more than a declaration of intention, a good one at that. The Moors are a wart on Europe's fair face and I'd like to see French knights in the front rank when we decide to lance it and restore Europe's beauty.
I would be willing to join your Majesty in a Crusade to rid he world of William. I have made no secret of it that I desire to got. But I also made clear that I will only leave if there are sufficient men left to defend the East. I know of your son Henri and the Baron of Frankfurt, which should be sufficient, especially considering this is to be a fast operation.
If the seneschal will grant me two spear militia companies in the coming season, that should provide an adequate defense for Frankfurt. From the reports I have, the empire is not yet massing significant forces in the area.
Hugues nods.
If the funds are available, you shall have them.
Now that Edict 1.3 is known to have passed, all knights wishing to go on crusade should declare that intention and ride to join the King in Paris. I declare that is my intent and believe that the Company Order will soon redeploy.
OOC: it's probably a logistics nightmare, but hopefully Ituralde, Overknight and Tristan can sort this out.
Senechal,
If funds are available, I'd also like you to recruit some ship to allow passage back to Marseille of my daughter and her bride, Signore Barbus Selvo. Or perhaps you could forward them the necessary funds.
Prince Louis bows to the King before speaking,
My King the men and I will depart the immediate environs of Bordeaux as soon as we are able (OOC: I think the army has exhausted it's movement). I will also make public my intent to allow my vassal, Gontran de Linars, to handle the capture of Bordeaux when war is finally declared.
As I have stated, I do not intend to join the Crusade unless my father asks that I do so. Nor, to my knowledge, do any of the men of my House intend to join.
Duke de Rohan I take your meaning very well, and our deal still stands, as does my vow to ride to your aid if you call.
I find no humor in your statements Duke de Champagne. I suggest the next time you propose a punishment for your Prince, legal, personal, or otherwise, that you be prepared to carry it out yourself.
Mark my words, this delay will cost lives rather than save them. Those lives belong to the King and, for my House's part, are grateful for the chance to be utterly obediant to his will, but it disappoints me to have them sacrificed on the absurd altar of legal wrangling and politics. France's nobility are not the men I had thought they were, had hoped they were. We dance our wars on the head of a pin when victory could be had more cheaply by a single clean charge. I pray that God favors our course, for his wisdom is far greater than my own, but I cannot find the sense in it.
I count myself very fortunate to have King Phillipe the Lion to lead our people. We live in glorious times Frenchmen! The realm of the Franks will be restored, and you may all live to see it! Pray your thanks to God, plant a seed in your wives, sharpen your swords, and saddle your horses for war is coming!
At last.
With that last pronouncement Louis departs the Council chamber shaking his head.
:egypt:
*A smile spreads on Gontran's face which both expresses pride in the trust his lord places in him, as well as...something else.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Simon looks around.
It seems that so far only the King and members of the Order will be taking place in the Crusade.
I have word from Hermant Mauvoisin and Robert Bouchart that they will join the Crusade. Brother Robert is currently guarding Bruges with only his bodyguards, I hope something can be done about this to free him up to join the Crusade. It would be shameful should he miss the official sanctifications and blessings in Paris.
I offer my full cooperation to the Seneshal and the King to bringing this Crusade to a quick start.
OOC:
I'll move all the Order men to Paris. OK can then form the Crusade when he wants and afterwards Tristan can move us towards the destination.
"Funds are going to be tight as I well know. I 'ope Bruges can receive enough of a garrison to ensure it does not rebel.
If one of ze nobles of Bretagne do not take up ze Cross zen I will ask zem to converge on Bruges."
Hugues rushes into the Conseil.
Mon Roi and lords of the Realm, it is very important that you all review my report before acting this season. The Moors have declared war on us and, if that wasn't enough, the Germans have been excommunicated.
It seems we had that Emergency Session a year too early. At least I'm not the only one with poor timing.
This... this is very.. very unexpected! Another Kingdom fallen from grace and the heathens on the move.
Simon makes the sign of the cross and sits back again, obviously shocked by the developments.
Duc de Champagne,
Should the rest of the Order continue to move West to join the Crusade, if that is still occurring I will do my uttermost to pursue any German formations in our current lands in the Lower Rhine.
I also believe that with your victory at Staufen, and following its final capture, we might look to consolidate mildly due to the German forces to the South of Staufen before considering a move to Nuremberg.
For my part, should I be in command, I will look to securing Hamburg if possible from the Germans.
I suggest Nuremberg as a target as I firmly believe we can use it as an acceptable bargaining chip with the Germans to secure a cessation of hostilities. It will also, should our approaches still be rebuffed, a more defensible border region.
I still believe the Crusade and War against the English is not only possible but should be continued as before. There are sufficient troops in the East to continue even an offensive war against the Germans now and ransoming more German captives can only provide more funds for us to replace losses.
As for the Moors, I believe that although they have declared war they seem intent on ignoring our mostly undefended belly. Due to this I also believe they will continue to move East, perhaps towards Marseille or Toulouse, I cannot of course guarantee this but I feel they are a force we can deal with in two seasons time rather than now. Should Zaragosa request troops however, I believe they should be headed ahead of similar requests from here in the East.
*Pounding his fist on the table*
If the Moors are attacking we must secure our South-Western Flank from the English!
Alain starts chewing on some paper.
"Ze insanity levels are extremely 'igh at ze moment.
I am going to need a few moments to adjust my zinking."
Alain leans thirty degrees to one side in his seat and rips off a huge fart. Medoc proceeds to howl at the indignation.
Holding up his hands he says in a conciliatory tone.
"It's ok, it's ok...zay do not cause discomfort when zay are so loud.
There are a few more after shocks which Alain manages as he continues to address the council.
"So, where were we?"
Short management pause.
"Ah, yes. German excommunication and Moorish War."
Another short management pause.
"I zink boz issues shange little, no?
We simply 'ave to carry on regardless."
I suggest we also declare a Crusade upon the Germans. It would only be fitting.
*Raynaud re-enters the Conseil, his eyes gleaming with holy fire.*
Gentlemen, if anybody needs me, I will be prosecuting this holy and just war with the devilish Moors to the fullest extent imaginable. I submit my suggestion to the nobles here that a Crusade be called on the Moors instead of the English, now that they mean to destroy us and are actually a Muslim target. Anybody who wishes to join me is more than welcome to. There is much sword work to be done.
He turns around, departing to leave, and then turns around again.
And if any of you wish to stop me...
I'll see you in Hell.
He departs once more.
Hugues takes a sip of wine and murmurs:
So glad you could join us, Chevalier. It is unfortunate we do not currently share a border with the Moors.
He addresses Gaetan.
Only one Crusade at a time, as I mentioned before it will be a long time between Crusades.
Heh... the House of Aquitaine is more than capable of handling the Moorish threat, so long as we are not starved of resources. We will secure the English lands in the area quickly, and use those as a base from which to defeat any armies the heathens send at us. Give us the men we need, and the rest of France can forget about the Moorish war altogether. You need not fear that Aquitaine will falter.
Gaetan cocks an eyebrow.
"But why not declare a Crusade upon the Germans, Duc Hughes? I see no reason to put the English as either higher priority or as more deserving - for starters, we are not at war with the English yet, and all we would be doing is answering the call of the Pope yet once more."
Philippe looks at Gaetan.
But that would require another Emergency Session, and while we lose time debating the merits of Crusading West, East or South, our enemies will gather their strength.
The English Crusade has already been sanctioned by the Conseil so unless our Ducs deem it necessary to call another Session, we will follow the will of the Conseil. I will already march this season towards the crossing at Calais and any and all who wish to join will have to join me there.
These unfortunate turn of events somewhat hurries our venture in English lands. Any laggards will be left behind...
One last thing : the Crusade as voted by the Conseil requires that the target should be London, as we all thought we would find Guillaume in his capital city... But it seems that while we delayed, the felon heard of our wish to march against him and took up residence in Nottingham, a much better defensible position.
Now, should we follow the letter of Edict E1.3 or should we follow its meaning and ask for the Crusade to be declared on Nottingham, Guillaume's hideout ?
I respectfully ask our Senechal to make the necessary request to the Pope this very season so that we can march under the Cross this very year (OOC : OK, could you take the save and request the Crusade before the end of the turn, thus allowing some of us to take the Cross and do our Crusade moves this turn? We've already lost one turn waiting for the avatars to declare if they would join, I would not lose another...)
I'll also ask him to coordinate our military actions by defining who will march south against the Moors, who will hodl the Eastern front and who will strike at England's heart, reclaiming our lost lands...
Gaetan looks at King Philippe questioningly.
"How would that require another emergency session at all? Why not simply change our target? As you have suggested with the taking of Nottingham instead of London? If we are to abide by pure law, then we must take London - if we are to abide by the spirit of it, we must call an emergency session and then decide which, English or German, are in more need of saving. Matters of faith are not to be taken lightly."