Council of Britain and Ireland

The Welsh diplomat looks happy, and please so very much

Dear great king of Scotland. King Lewllyn is extremly greatful you have done something so wonderful for us, by destroying the 2 catupluts near the Welsh border. We take these acts, as acts of kindness and you have our gratitude. So we would like to announce something. These British land belong to the four great kingdoms. Wales, England, Ireland, and Scotland, but it seems we have a 5th pest that is going around killing all they see. As we ask the 4 great kingdoms to join hands and seize the conflicts between us for now, and rid these norse pirates off OUR land.

Speaking of that, we would like to add. We declare war on you, Norse. I know, you have not attacked my land, intruded me, or even bothered to offend me. And although we have our diffrences between the 4 great kings, I have great respect for them, and you have destroyed that respect. We officially declare war on you, UNTIL you seize these acts of anger.

So once again. Please listen 4 great kings of Britannia, unite and destroy these foul beasts.

King Alexander turns to the Welsh representative.

I'm happy to hear you say that. As it so happens, the reason my ship was in the area, was to drop off a diplomat on to your lands. He is outside of your capital as we speak and he has paperwork for a map exchange and trade rights. All you have to do is sign.

The norvegian representative says

So it be. We will see whether four dogs can defeat a lion.

A member of the Irish team whispers to his colleague

That's funny, I didn't know they had lions in Norway - I pity the poor viking who's stuck on a longboat with one

his colleague whispers back

Maybe he means a sea lion? I have heard Haakon sports a fine moustache

They collapse in fits of giggles

The Irish representatives rise with a solemn air.

For the glory of Ireland and in memory of the late and much mourned King Brian (God rest his eternal soul), it has today been decided to rename all of the Irish territories in the beautiful Gaelic tongue.

The English representative stands to address the Council.

The English King, long may he reign, would like it known that English forces have secured the Isle of Mann, as it was in a position allowing it to threaten both English territory and that of the other Kings of the Isles. In order to assuage our neighbors that they have not exchanged one threatening nation in charge of a strategically important island for another, we are announcing that Castletown shall be converted to a city as soon as its new port is done, and dedicated to trade.

Ireland applauds the English King's actions and welcomes the chance at closer trading links through the Isle of Man.

Norvegian representative stands up

Prince Knud defeated both armies that were sent after him and his brave men.

Irish general Lochlain Kane and his pityful army was defeated.

English general Mauritz Fitzgerald and his ragtag of troops that he dared to call and army was defeated and put to the sword to the last men. Fitzgerald was executed.

Clearly two snakes are not enough to defeat a lion. Clearly backstabbing is not the same as figthing in the open. Clearly neither the Irish nor the English know how to fight like real man do.

As a side note, the Scottish fleet blockading Kirkwall was defeated and sunk to the last ship.

the Irish representative glares across the chamber at the Norseman

Sir, your Prince the murderer Knud may have defeated an eager gang of stone-hurlers the good King Domnall had no better use for, but he should be aware while he continues to skulk in the woods like a dog that his fate will find him there soon enough.

And as any civilized and Catholic man knows, there are no snakes in Ireland since St Padraigh did drive them out...where they went to nobody knows, but as I remember it they were last seen heading North...

A messenger comes in and hands a note to the English representative.

That "lion" must be of the sickly variety. English general Alan la Zouche has reduced his force from 255 to 81 men. Oddly, 3o or so of those appeared to have fallen at the hands of so-called "friendly" fire. Aside from poor health, the lion also apparently delights in biting his own tail.

While battle field reports are hard to verify, I have it on good account that Prince Knud ran within minutes of the battle's beginning. He was last seen riding northwards.

Well that lion defeated three stacks of enemies and not just defeated them but completely anihilated two of them, executed King Brian O'Connor and your general already forgot his name. Did all this without being able to refill or retrain his troops while you were sending fresh troops with each general. He is a true warrior, a worthy prince of Norway.

The Welsh representative stands, and addresses the Norse one.

I wish to announce that the royal navy of Wales has sunk a Norse ship in the straits between Ireland and Britain itself. The King sends word that he will not interfere in the ongoing conflict any further, unless the Norsemen force him to it.

He quietly falls back into his chair.

English Representative: I would like to thank the Welsh for keeping the waters we share for trade free of Norse piracy. Should you ever worry of foreign fleets to close to your lands, England will be happy to repay you by driving them off.

Greetings to this most noble council,

As I am sure this council is aware, after the heroic death of Alexander, King of Scots, I, Patrick was named King over Alexanders sickly infant son, who has recently passed away.

Alas, the war with the viking barbarians had taken a turn for the worse, and it took a combination of arms of the British isles to turn the tide. We have succeeded in doing so, and Scotland owes every Lord in this council an enormous debt of gratitude. Challenged by a lion, we matched it bit by bit with the valour and courage of the Isles. May this period bond our Kingdoms forever closer together as one.

Patrick I, King of the Scots

It has been and continues to be an honor helping you avenge the death of King Alexander, my son-in-law. I think this might be a good time to announce that, with Scottish, Irish, and English coordination, a large Norse fleet has been intercepted and destroyed. Hopefully the Norse blight on these islands will soon be sent back to their homeland.

Good to have you back and playing, deguerra. :thumbsup:

King Haakon :

A thousand curses be upon your isles...

You may drive us from those cursed lands but we will leave them in such a sorry state that the crows will fly on their back to avoid seeing the misery...

And be sure that us Norse will go down fighting... To the end...

Go back to your thrice cursed homelands blighted by snow and ice, the kind of surroundings such scum as you deserve. And refrain from making your split tongue heard in this noble council, the Isles have no need for your lies.

King Haakon :

I'll speak when and wherever I'll please and I'll take no lesson from a man wearing skirts, for God's sake...

A messenger comes in wearing livery of English colors.. He unfolds a scroll and begins to read.

Last week, after planning strategy with several of his generals in a base just south of Scotland, King Henry died in his sleep. He had recently taken ill since his trip to the north but none had known the extent of his illness. His son Edward has taken the throne and is the new King of England.

As his first act as King, King Edward is declaring an armistice with the Norse. For too long young Englishmen have died in this war, long after the death of the old Scottish Royal family which is kin to Henry. With the war well on its way to being won and easily doable by the might of the brave Celtic nations of Britannia alone, we expect this will not affect the fortunes of our neighbor to the north. England will spend the next year in mourning, and will only after consider the possibility of further offensive actions.

The messenger rolls up the scroll and departs.

After conversing with a few of his colleagues the English representative stands.

In keeping with his duties to his allies King Edward has taken Aberdeen for his allies the Scots, preventing them from needing to throw away the lives of their own men in the assault. A diplomat is negotiating it's handover right now. The rest of this campaign season will see no military action as the period of mourning for King Henry begins, and for the moment English armies are drawing back from the front. Further updates on England's actions concerning the war will arrive after the mourning period.

We would also like to say that disturbing reports have been coming in regarding the setting up of the so called "Baron's Alliance" on the Isle of Mann. Nothing is certain yet but we will keep our fellows in the Council abreast of events concerning that issue as well.

The Irish representative stands

The English should think twice before betraying the alliance at this crucial moment in the Norse War!

Young King Edward should honour the agreement his father Henry struck with the Scottish and Irish, to fight to the bitter end against the Norse foe.

As for this rabble that call themselves the Baron's Alliance, they will receive no succour from Ireland so long as we are at peace with England and her King.

Lords of Britain,

In the name of King Donald of the Scots I have announcements for this council:

Scotland recognises Englands right to direct its efforts wherever it deems them necessary and just. We have no quarrel with the English crown, and want none, but hope that in future, the new King of England may show himself to be more supportive of Scotland.

Out of the raving injustices the Norse have committed in our fair lands, something good has arisen: A rebellion of the freedom-loving highlanders formed near Iverness, and marched in protest on the Norse-held stronghold. Along the way, two Norse forces were sighted, and crushingly and utterly defeated, one of them being led by the "King" of the Norse, the other by his heir. The leader of this uprising, a minor young noble by the name of William Wallace was immediately adopted into the royal family.

We are close now, to driving the Norse scum from our fair isles, and this man has contributed greatly to it.

Long live Scotland, strong and free!

Prince Duncan

The Irish representative stands, and raises a tankerd of dark ale as he pronounces:

Glory be to the Alliance of Britain! The Norse invaders have been driven from our fair isles never to return!

Hail Kings Brian and Domnall of Ireland, Kings Henry and Edward of England, King Llewellyn of Wales and most of all Kings Alexander, Patrick and Duncan of Scotland who joined together and fought off the vikings in the common cause of freedom from oppression and the threat of piracy!

May a new age of peace reign long over the lands of the peoples of Britannia and Ireland!

The English representative receives a message, appearing shocked by its contents. He rises timidly to address the Council.

Sirs, English intelligence reports have revealed shocking news. Welsh scouts caught riding across English borders have revealed what has been known to all in the isles all along. Wales is planning an attack on England. King Edward has no plans to repeat his father's mistake by letting Wales sack an English city again, only to make a peace deal preferable to the Welsh. England will not stand for such a thing, and so have trapped and destroyed a Welsh army.

An Irish seaborne army has also been sighted near Castletown, and Edward fears the Irish will seize an opportunity to take a city granted to England by a treaty signed by the Irish many years ago.

King Edward would like to ask his friend King Donald to forgive his trespass, as an English agent has crossed his land to capture a spy working for William Wallace, instigator of the so called "Baron's Revolt". He would note that we have made no moves against Scottish diplomats on English soil, and ask that his Excellence the Scottish King be patient with the English, as recent events and news have made them paranoid, especially that of Wallace and his allies marching near the English border.

The Irish emissary had been absent from the chamber.

With a crash he bursts into the room, flinging open the heavy double doors and falling to his knees in front of the assembled nobles. Behind him in the corridor can be heard the heavy tramp of booted feet.

My lords! You have been betrayed!

King Domnall has shown himself to be a serpent and has sold out the Celtic nations to the vile English, attacking both Welsh and Scottish lands without warning!

It is said that he and Edward plan to divide the Isles between them to satisfy their lust for power!

A group of armoured men bearing the insignia of the harp enter the chamber and set about the former representative of Ireland, raining blows upon him and dragging his whimpering form away to God knows what sorry fate..

As they leave, a short, dark-haired man with thin lips and an evil leering expression enters and reads from a scroll.

Peoples of Wales and Scotland,

King Domnall of the Free Irish has taken your fate into his own hands.

For too long have the craven coward Kings of Wales and Scotland shivered and trembled under the whip-hand of the overseer, whether it be Norse or English.

For shame Scottish Kings! Have you no pride that you would allow the dirty Norse to defile your lands for decades? Only mustering to fight them off when spurred on by the proud Irish and mighty English?

You are not fit to govern the brave peoples of the Highlands, within whom the blood of true Celts runs fiery and strong. They will welcome proud King Domnall as their new leader, one whose blood is as theirs, and whose passion and Celtic spirit remains ever true.

For shame Welsh Kings! Cowering in your hill forts like bandits while the English encroached ever further on your lands, bringing sorrow and degradation on the noble men of Cymru.

Your people will rejoice to hear that your corrupt and decadent reign is being brought to an end by the true champion of the Celts, Domnall O'Brien.

O how the bards will sing of the brave new Irish future of these Isles!

' Despicable creature ! I spit at spine-less cowards such as yourself and most of all your King. '

Rushing out of the chamber, he shoves the short Irishman to the ground and spits him in the face.

OOC: Grima Wormtongue ? :P

Noble Kings of Britain. Dog of Ireland.

As you are doubtlessly aware, Donald was deposed as King of the Scots last year and I have been tasked with handling matters of state as Regent.

Donald was weak, his authority with the nobles of Scotland small, and his mind wandering, so that there was no course of action open to the state other than to relieve him of his duties. Needless to say he did not take it with the grace that should be expected from a ruler, but Donald's fate need concern noone.

Since his deposal, the High Lords of Scotland have been deliberating on his successor. Due consideration was given to many factors, but at the end of the day, the governing body of this country does not bow down to the pressure of the masses, nor to the claws of our ernstwhile brothers.

It is with this in mind, that we do hereby offer the Crown of Scotland and the Stone of Scone to Edward of the House of Plantagenet.

We realize that this offer breaks with tradition somewhat. However, we would like the remind this council that Edward's father was married to the sister of late King Alexander. Indeed, Edward has better claim to the lineage of Alexander than any other. Obviously, political considerations were taken into account in this decision as well. The Kingdom of Scotland will endure, and if it means accepting the gracious rule of a norman monarch then this will be no detriment to our honour.

We await response from the House of Plantagenet.

Regent Duncan
The High Lords of Scotland