The Order of the Fleur de Lys

Brother knights, the Conseil session has started so we must also hold a full Order session.

We have several items of business.

First - who will serve the Company on active duty in the coming 10 seasons?

Second - of those on active duty, who wishes to stand for Order Captain?

Third - we should discuss plans for the Order Company and for our Headquarters. While decisions will be made by the Captain and Steward respectively, it is now that we have time to reflect and consult.

I have previously proposed that - until the season of the next Conseil, Gaspard, our outgoing Captain, will serve as Steward of Antwerp - effectively its Count - and set its build queues and priorisations. I hope there is no objection to this.

For my part, I will continue to serve the Company on active duty. While I had hoped that we can institute a process of rotating active and reserve duty, I think our numbers are still too few for me to leave the Company at this point. I would like to see the Company always at least four brother knights strong, so that we bring real weight to it. I will not stand for Order Captain unless no other man stands.

In terms of priorities for the Order, I commend the current strategy of marching with the King. The Order was formed to defend France and so long as France's monarch has need of us, I can see no better use than to answer his call.

Beyond that, now that we have land, I believe our next concern should be acquiring companies of foot to support us. My ambition is that ultimately our Company be a standalone army capable of independent action. While our King and our Prince have shown that small companies of brave knights may achieve great things, as time goes on our enemies will grow strong and so ultimately we too will need to field proper armies to oppose them. As to how we can acquire companies of foot, we can regard the company in Antwerp as Order property - as well as the company that Gaspard will prioritise as governor of Antwerp. Beyond that, we are reliant on the next Seneschal. Trying to mandate recruitment through edicts is likely to prove counterproductive, so I would urge all members to strive to keep good relations with whoever is elected our Senschal. The Captain would also be wise to protect what few companies of foot we acquire until we have sufficient for their contribution to make a difference.

I will be on active duty again and, also again, I will stand for the position of Captain. My father can only die once so I hope this time there will be no interruptions.

If I were elected Captain I would agree with Brother Hermant and give the position of Steward to Brother Gaspard. I haven't heard from him but with land under his belt maybe he is willing to run for the office of Seneshal? Contenders seem to be scarce.

Whoever turns out to be Captain should work closely with the army commanders in the viccinity. This includes of course the King, but also the Dukes of Champagne and Bourgogne who both border the Germans. I'd even consider to split our forces. So long as we don't have an army of our own we can only learn from other capable generals of our Royaume. Watch and learn, that is. The past has shown that rash actions of our members can put us all into a bad light. I don't want this to continue.

What foot we have my be best used to garrison and guard Antwerp. While I would prefer proper training facilities we must make sure that we use Antwerp to the fullest of its potential. If we can't forge swords we will have to buy them

I can set your mind at ease, Brother Simon. I have just announced my candidature in the Conseil. Now it is up to see what the nobles of the realm decide.

Regardless of the result, you may be certain that I will provide the Order with men from Antwerp.

I shall be returning to the mainland and on active duty soon.
I wish to anounce my candicy for Order Captain also.

I see we have warred with the Germans and left France under the grip of English oppression. Also our expansion has sepread us thinly, with militia and peasant troops. I do hope the future brings better things for us but I shall defend our realm no matter what.

I commend Simon and Alexandre for offering to serve the Order as our Captain. I will organise a poll at the same time as the Conseil elections; now and unless otherwise stated in the future, the deadline for nominations for the post of Captain will be the same as that for Seneschal.

So we have three committed to be on active duty - Simon, Alexandre and myself. Who else will ride with the Company? Gaspard, do you wish to join us or would you prefer to personally oversee Antwerp?

There is also an urgent confidential matter I wish to discuss with you all (pls check social group).

I am available to remain on active duty.

I accept the confidence given to me and will act as Captain of the Order during the next Seneshals term. I appoint Alexandre le Sueur to be my Lieutnant. The role of Steward will remain in the hands of Gaspard de Neufville for now. Those of you interested in running for the position of Seneshal should contact me and then we can discuss the matter in private.

I have contacted the leaders of the Royaume to facilitate cooperation with the Order. We will fight wherever we are pointed and repell any attacks by the Germans!


Edit: OOC:
Is Gaspard on Active Duty, Igno? And what should I do about The Lemongate? I'm gonna assume him active for now, since his SoT provides for it. Anyone heard from him?

OOC: Lemongate can be considered inactive. He pmed me a bit ago about not having time for the game, but I wanted to wait a little bit in case that changed before actually drowning the character.

It is good to be on campaign again, Captain de Montpierre, and I congratulate Lieutenant le Sueur on his appointment.

Given there was no opposition, I have amended our Charter as discussed to cover the post of Steward. A key point for members to note is that - unlike the Lieutenant who is appointed by the Captain immediately after a Conseil session - the Steward is appointed by the Captain immediately before such a session. This is to allow the Steward to both be eligible for a election to Seneschal and to set a binding build queue for his term of office. I have left it open for the Captain to appoint himself Steward, as this may sometimes be in the best interest of the Order.

OOC: It will be a shame to lose Eloi, but the Kingdom has so many RBGs, having some removed may help balance the game.

I congratulate Sieur Montpierre on his election!

OOC: Gaspard's on active duty.

Thank you Brother Hermant for clearing up the legalities. It is a bit tricky but I am sure we will get used to it in no time. Brother Gaspard while you hold the position of Steward without owning Antwerp during the Council Session you can not prioritize units, but you can set a build queue. I have informed the Seneshal of this so pleas give him the appropriate orders. (OOC: Updated your SoT)

Speaking of the Seneshal. His report gives a good outline of the situation facing us. Defeating Emperor Maximilian is our highest priority right now, but we also have to look out for the safety of Antwerp. I feel it would be best if one of us volunteered to devote his actions this term to the defense of Antwerp. Whoever steps forward would not miss out in repelling the German Emperor but would depart immediately thereafter to ensure the safety of Antwerp. It is still quiet right now, but Antwerp lies within two seasons march of Hamburg, a mighty Castle in the north, so we should be careful.

Concerning the defense of Frankfurt I will leave this up to the King for now, although I haven't heard from him yet. Either way the Order will stand its ground and assist in keeping our borders clean of German scum!

In the light of the Seneschal's report, I agree with my Captain that an Order noble should be charged to defend Antwerp. I propose that our Steward, Brother Gaspard, be despatched immediately. He has responsibility for the settlement anyway and may benefit from overseeing its works in seasons when there are no German incursions to repel. [OOC: pick up traits for finishing buildings etc] If he is declines this assignment for whatever reason, I would be happy to go in his place but the logistics are such that whoever of us goes will be unable to ride with the Company for most of this Conseil.

I am willing to defend Antwerp. Someone must go and hold our lands.

Thank you Brother Gaspard! I will dispatch you there as soon as the threat of Emperor Maximilian is dealt with. Hopefully the Seneshal will send some Spear Militia with you toward Antwerp then. Also it might be a good idea to oversee the construction of some watch towers along the German borders while you're on your way. Either way I am sure we will find a solution to this once the Emperor is defeated.

My thanks Captain de Montpierre for the honour of the position of Lieutenant.
I shall server to the best of my ablity.

Brothers of the Order,

I stand before you to submit my application to join this most noble order.

I, Prince Henri, 2nd born of King Phillip of France, hereby swear without oppression or compulsion…

..to Fear and Honour God and maintain his most Holy Church.

To serve my Father and France in valour and faith at all times.

To never leave the weak defenceless and protect them from always harm.

To never strike at an unarmed and helpless foe, whomever they be.

To speak with truth in all things at all times.

Never to abandon a comrade to harm, poverty or distress.

And to neither refuse or insult a challenge from any equal.

…I pledge, as God is my witness, to uphold these precepts with all my heart and I trust that the Order accept my approach to them for inclusion in the Order.

Henri.

I welcome you to the Order Brother Henri!

I am Simon de Montpierre the elected Captain for this term. I hope you will go on active duty right away and join us in Frankfurt? We sure can use every man to keep the Germans at bay!

Edit: That is if no one speaks against Brother Henri joining our ranks.

Welcome, Prince Henri!

You favour us with your presence. It is an honour indeed to have a member of the royal family among us.

Thank you brothers. Think not of me as a Prince for I am only to be amongst equals in The Order, for that is my intention.

I know much of honour and chivalry, I have learned long and hard in skills of arms but have yet to prove myself amongst those who have such experience.

I ride with all haste to Frankfurt, though I fear I may not arrive until the season after next.

Prince Henri, it is a great pleasure to have you join our ranks. We have accepted all the great Lords of the realm as our patrons, but you honour us by standing with us a regular member.

I believe our Charter speaks of new members being approved at Order sessions, but in this case I am sure I speak for us all in regarding that as a formality. Our Captain has accepted you into our ranks and we will all be proud to ride with you.

Brothers, I would hope that such circumvention of the Orders rules is acceptable. I am happy to be accepted into the Brotherhood as an equal as much as is possible for a man of my blood.

There may be times when my family duties call me to remove myself from the side of my Order brothers but I trust these will be few in number. We all heed the call of our King, my father, an it may be at times when he has need of me that I will depart.

I march East and currently camp in the great forest on the road from Staffen to Frankfurt, I hope to be in your company in the next season should the Kings army not move.

There are move private matters I will discuss with the Order before my arrival and I will do so in the privacy of our meeting rooms….

(OOC: an IC and OOC posting on the Social Group board which I feel is quite important)

A short, hunched-over monk enters the Order's chambers.

My Lords, I am an assistant to the Royal Librarian. I am come to ask your preference for the record-keeping, where I am keeping a record of the great landowners of the realm.

Unlike the others however, the Orders lands are owned not by one man, but the organization as a whole. Would the Order prefer the records to list the Order itself as the owner of North Flanders, the current steward, or both?

My good man, I believe the answer would be both. Order lands are collectively owned by the Order itself, so this sould be recorded. However, for most practical matters such as the setting of build queues or eligibility for Seneschal elections, it is important that the identify of the Steward be noted.

Brothers, the excommunication of the English changes everything. From trading partners and prospective allies, they have now become the target of a crusade that the King is petitioning Rome for. Given the high regard we are held, I have no doubt this petition will be granted.

I have already spoken in Conseil about my personal opinion of this - it is my strong desire to join any such crusade. But this raises issues about the deployment of the Company. The Prince and the King have indicated a desire that we stand watch on the eastern front. This is understandable from a strategic point of view but does not take account of the strong desires I suspect we all feel to participate in the noble endeavour of a crusade. I would hear the views of our Captain on this. If he is of like mind with me, would he liaise with the King to seek to have the Company be part of the crusade?

Brother Hermant,

Regarless of our own feelings in this matter I am sure we will do as the King wills. Should Frankfurt be unable to defend herself we must ignore such personal glory in the face of defending our people from the Germans.

The answers to this remains to be seen however and I will follow the Order.

Brother Henri, with respect, desiring to serve God on crusade is not synonymous with seeking personal glory. I agree that Frankfurt cannot be left undefended. Indeed, I have personally sworn to the Senschal that I will do everything I can to make sure Frankfurt is protected. I will not renege on that promise. However, I believe the Kingdom can defend Frankfurt and free our Company to go on crusade. For example, there will be limit to how many companies can ride with the King on crusade, so it is unlikely our foot would be needed and could be left to assist in the defence of Frankfurt. [OOC: only 20 units can enter a settlement.]

Very well Brother, if we are permitted and Frankfurt is defensable I willl be happy to follow the Captain in this task.

I did not...intend any offense however with my comments regarding personal glory and I withdraw that statement.

Should the Pope indeed bless the French to strike against the blasphemous English King it would be a great honour for the Order to be amongst the first storming the walls of London! However we can't neglect the Eastern front because of this. Any strike against the English would have to be quick and lethal. I shall talk with the King and Seneshal about the matter. I am sure a solution can be found that is favourable to all parties involved.

I ask all members of the Order to meet in our private chambers to further discuss the last developments. I have spoken to and heard much from Brother Henri and Brother Hermant. What say the rest of you? Please let me know in private!

I am ready for England and will join the King! The captain as my permission to set up logistics of my men.

(OCC Updated in SOT Captain or King for movement.)