The Duchy of Lorraine

In that case you are certainly in the correct Duchy!

You will have your chance and very soon indeed.

(OOC: yeah, need to get my head around that and get teh new save to give settlements to avatars as well as allocate what army we have)

Baron’s and Chevaliers,

I have some announcements to make.

Firstly, the Duchy’s capital will no longer be Metz. As we evolve a castle is no longer sufficient to hold the financial and political business of the Duchy.

To this end I am announcing the capital of Lorraine will be Frankfurt.

Further to this, I have given Metz to the Chevalier Villain de la Salle. I retain control of Frankfurt and Staufen at this time.

Direct any questions to me personally if you have any.

Prince Henri
Duc De Lorraine

I, the Baron of Metz, hereby swear fealty to André des Vaux. May the new Count live long and prosper!

In turn, Chretien kneels to Villain.

I, Chretien Saisset, swear fealty to Baron de Salle, if he will take me into his service.

I accept your oath, Chretien Saisset. May you bring glory to our noble Duchy!

I accept your oath Villain.

Men of Lorraine,

I am transferring control of the castle at Staufen over to my younger brother Charles. Charles is keen to start upon his own Duchy, which as his brother I am strongly in favour of. I wish him all luck to him.

The troops currently stationed in Staufen are confirmed as the property of the Duchy of Lorraine, recruitment from now onwards is at the expense of my Brother. We are not to leave the castle undefended but will withdraw our troops once Prince Charles has recruited his own.

It also seems that I welcome Villain into my Family. From Baron to Brother, I shake your hand. You remain a faithful man of Lorraine as do I.

Men of Lorraine,

Much confusing talk has taken place in Council of late. I urge you all to try to ignore it for it is confusing and is a lengthy legal debate best now forgotten.

We have serious work at hand. I have prepared an army that Villain will control that lies in wait for the Germans next move. We hope to finish this matter as swiftly as possible.

I remain, for now, in Frankfurt for two reasons. Firstly, the city still requires governance and some form of protection should our plans fail. To this end I have retained two companies of spearmen to hold out. Secondly, and purely personally, I am hoping to capture the attention of several Princesses who are travelling nearby.

I get to an age and position where to not be wed is a significant inconvenience.

To lay any worries you have to bed. My position and the position of my Brother is clear and remains unchanged. Staufen and Frankfurt are the domain of the Duchy of Lorraine and have been for some time. I fear that either my father has found poor council or his age is affecting him somehow.

Men of Lorraine and the Order,

The army in front of me at the gates of Frankfurt is nothing to be feared. I have every confidence in a simple victory for our combined forces under the leadership of the Order of the Fleur de Lys.

Re-enforcements are on their way from Metz, I propose they hold position until after this battle however as we will need fresh troops to finally cleanse our Eastern frontier when we are completed here.

I will also move a further company of men from Staufen by arrangement with my Brother to further bolster our forces, our next effort is for me to ensure the Order holds our Northern border whilst I divide our remaining forces between us to remove the smaller German forces in our lands.

After this time I will await the King’s efforts for peace with trepidation. I hope, of course, this can be achieved for we can then send forces to aid my brother Louis defend Europe from the Moors…but if not we will be ready to strike again at the Germans to force them to a peace!

I await your arrival everyone.

Duc Henri

Knights of Lorraine,

Let us speak privately….((OOC: to the private forum please))