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I am sorry for my lack of participation within this diet due to a lack of time. I do not have any opinions on any of the edicts yet, but choose to propose one for Swabia. Edict 9.7: The House of Swabia will be allowed to take French territories until they plea for peace or is reconciled I am still trying to read over everything proposed right now but I fear it may take quite a while to formulate my responses
The Austrian Elector stands after some reassuring words to the young Arnold....
My Kasier, let me be the first to welcome you back and see you safe from your travels. I would also like to say that your final Chancellor report was very thorough and the next Chancellor will have a difficult tasks to follow up the excellent work you have done. The member bows deeply towards the Kaiser.
Electors, the business had hand. Sir Hummel's CA 9.5 I cannot support. This goes against the initial work of why we went to the East. The Kaiser has made a proposal in CA 9.1 that will protect Christianity in the Kingdom of the Outremer as mentioned by Lord Salier.
Lord Hummel's legislation identifies three areas but there are four Houses. The Council of Crusades will dictate to the Diet! This will not do! This will lead to fragmentation of the Reich. Our Houses might as well go on there own right now and be independent Duchies!
But I digress, we can have one ruler over many lands as our most excellent Kaiser as demonstrated. We just need a strong administration in the Office of Chancellor with the plan formulated by this Diet. We work together instead of factions of interest. This great Reich has the potential to rule over many lands by God's grace.
It would be rude of me if I did not add that I commend Elector Hummel's decision to run for Chancellor. It is good for this Diet to be able to have elections for such an important position.
The Elector returns to his seat to discuss drinking locations with the young noble...
An updated list of legislation is available:
https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showp...06&postcount=7
In response to Duke Scherer's proposal, I believe with the recent death of the Pope, the French, along with us, were reconciled. There standing with the new Pope is very low (0/10 I think) but they are still part of the Church for now.
Kaiser Henry: The Ninth Diet session is now closed for the proposing of edicts and amendments. Voting will begin shortly.
Ulrich Hummel strides into the Diet chambers. He quickly moves to Swabian side and begins to address the Diet.
"Mein electors, we face many new challenges and threats since we last assembled. The Russians have burst through our eastern frontier and have stormed the castle at Thorn. There are reports of strange barbarians from the east.
In such times of war and devastation, defense is not enough. I, therefore, propose controlled offensives against the Reich's enemies. If this august body deems me worthy to lead the Reich, I shall swear upon mein honour and all the Duke of Bavaria's relics that I, Ulrich Hummel, Count of Lorraine, shall lead the Reich to a glory rivalling that of ancient Rome itself!
The Romans ruled the world, from the wall of Hadrian to the edges of the Mesopotamian desert. There is no reason why we, the true heirs of Rome, and of Charlemagne, cannot achieve at rightful place at the head of the Mediterranean.
Such heights, however, cannot be attained easily while enemies lie at every corner. Therefore, I propose that we seek out and destroy those armies that threaten our borders, and force them to sue for peace while they still live.
That, mein electors, is how the new Rome shall rival the old."
Ulrich bows and leaves the Diet.
Ansehelm stands again
I applaud you Herr Hümmel, you have got my vote for the position of Chancellor. I believe that you will be able to recapture the lost city of Thorn, my city of Thorn.
A messenger makes his way to the Diet floor in the livery of House Austria. He clears his throat and begins to read the unfurled parchment
My Lords,
Now that my father is leading the Riech's new Crusading Army to Damascus, I hear by follow his wishes. I am now the Steward of Austria until such time as my father returns or god takes him from this earth.
Long live the Reich!!
The messanger folds the parchment and departs the Diet floor
The spy Dieter von Darmstadt enters the DIet,closely accompanied by Fritz,Prinz Jobst's main captain and bodyuard
Mein lords,counts and Duke,
And of course mein great Kaiser,
I have been sent by Prinz Jobst, who does not wish to be back at the Diet for some years
Dieter glares at some people from the paper he's reading
He has sent a message, which I shall read out:
mein fellows,Quote:
Originally Posted by Prinz Jobst
At the battle I found many dead, of both Danes and Germans.
I found that the Danish Family Member was killed from Crossbow fire.
And I also found that the Danish were those who struck first, several german Scouts were found dead on the edge of the forest, and with interviews with the soldiers under command of Jobst, they thought it was a invading French army, and they knew not it was a Crusading Danish Army.
If there are any inquires Prinz Jobst has said I may fill in his position in the Diet for now, until he returns.
Dieter bows and sits where Jobst usually sits, while Fritz sits behind him.
A messenger from Breslau enter the Diet reading out the following message
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ansehelm von Kastilien
*Hans sighs and begins to speak*
My lords,
While I would like to believe what Dieter von Darmstadt is reporting, I should caution that the findings do neither prove nor disprove the events.
So, we know some bodies of our individuals bearing the Imperial uniform have been found at the edge of the forest, but does that really tell us anything?
And so I ask,
Were they truly Germans and if so, were they officially part of our Prince's forces? For all we know someone could have stolen these uniforms.
Were they slain by the Danes or in a dispute with their own comrades or even another group we are not aware of?
Were they the ones who initiated the aggression?
Did they truly die where they were found or were they moved there or did they even get slain during the ensuing battle, merely slightly detached from the main force?
We lack information my lords, information, that I sent this man out to forage, yet he only brings back two pieces of some importance, the second one being, that some soldiers thought it was a French invasion. Considering we have been at war with France and the French wear quite different uniforms, is the story that some soldiers tell truly reliable?
Now, while these pieces do not redeem our Prince, they also do not incriminate him. There is a lack of any credible source that could tell the true story, for the soldiers will try to protect themselves and their commander, the Danes will incriminate us and the locals will say whatever they are paid to say or they like, and the slain do not seem to give much away.
The spy Hugo on the other hand sends word that Prince Haakon of Denmark is still alive, which means that the noble slain north of Staufen is not him, unless the informant is mistaken.
I would ask for anyone who believes there may be another avenue of investigation to speak up so it can be pursued.
I, Ehrhart von Mahren, Count of Prague, believe this matter should be settled once and for all. A prosecution committee shall hear the crimes and the evidence, and question Prinz Jobst before this Diet. This committee should number in four, and each Duchy should have one representative. Then, an open vote whether the Prinz is guilty of attacking the Danish Crusaders preemptively or not, and the Kaiser Henry shall prescribe his doom, if he is found guilty.
I propose that the 4 representatives shall be those who have most strongly questioned our noble Prinz's actions, thus justice, if necessary, shall certainly be carried out.
Otto thinks a bit and speaks:
In order for such two large forces to stumble upon each other unawares, there must be some sort of conspiracy afoot on their side or ours, most likely both. Agents provocateurs in both forces could have caused the confrontation. Perhaps if we followed a trail of florins in this matter. . .though we don't know specifics, treachery of this level requires large bribes. Are any of our men, particularly in the Prinz's forces that day, newly rich? Are any survivors of the former Danish crusader force enriched despite their defeat? The army is still near our borders, perhaps if we dispatched a spy there, we might find some answers.
However, idle debate and information-gathering without action is futile. We must try Prinz Jobst for his alleged crimes, and put this madness behind us swiftly and quietly without erupting more argument.
So a show trial with little evidence for innocence or guilt is the correct way to put this behind us without causing more arguments?
I do not see the logic in this.
The edict barring Prinz Jobst from command failed. There is no new evidence to suggest his guilt. What would a trial accomplish but cause further dissent and suspicion?
I see the wisdom of your words, King Otto.
Why then do you keep uttering them if this situation is ended?
*Whispers to his retinue of advisers*
*Hans can be seen whispering something to Adalberth who nods and leaves the diet*
Ansehelm himself enters the diet, after a journey which was as short as possible
My dear Hans, after hearing from my assistant Bernhard, Freiherr von Lippe, of what you told I must say I disagree with you.
Yes nothing incriminates the Prinz, and yes nothing redeems the Prinz, however: Any good general would scout the enemy before going to battle. These scouts would have found that this was a Danish army, which was: a. not our enemy, b. on crusade. After seeing this the Prinz could have simply not attacked.
Now that I heard that there are two big Danish armies in my ancestral lands I suggest what you already said, sending the Prinz to drive them off, he caused these problems, and he can solve them.
Ansehelm turns his direction at Erhart von Mahren
My friend, the Diet has already spoken about Prinz Jobst's quilt, in Edict 9.2. And only six men, being the Duke of Franconia (your former duke), Fredericus von Hamburg, your father Jonas von Mahren, and myself, together the entire house of Franconia, in which the battle took place and Conrad Salier and your brother Sigismund found him quilty.
I was merely questioning the need for additional debate because Edict 9.2 failed.
If an Edict fails, there's a reason too
Ansehelm leaves the Diet, jumps on his horse and rides to the far lands in the North again, Thorn should be liberated once he gets there
My lords, I draw your attention to the preliminary report that I have supplied the diet *Hans motions to a pile of neatly sorted papers that is just being placed on the emperor's desk*
As we speak, Günther von Kastilien is battling the Russians to retake Thorn and Jonas von Mahren is engaging a Venetian force that separates him from Ragusa.
I hope the diet finds the speed at which I am tackling the various edicts and orders agreeable so far and pray for the victory of these two men over our mutual enemies.
Excellent! I am certain that Ansehelm will be pleased that Gunther is retaking his countyship for him.
I hope my father is brave and strong during his battle with the Venetians.
Dear Chancellor,
Is it at all possible for the forces in Ragusa to assist Lord von Mahren with the Venetian's. I know there are a few people, myself include that are keen for a battle?
I wish it were, but I am afraid the rocky terrain and limited supplies will not lead you further than the border to Durazzo.
Scheisse!!
Otto raises an eyebrow as Arnold's loud oath echoes throughout the Diet.
I understand that we need many ships to transport the new Crusade and to maintain shipping lanes to Outremer. However, with Milan unwisely landing troops again in Italy, this highlights the current lack of our own naval forces in the western Mediterranean. Perhaps we should have finished them when we had the chance.
Otto rubs his facial scar.
Still the past is the past, I hope the Chancellor will address this temporary lack of ships so that are coasts in the southwest are not subject to any more invasions or possible blockades.
Having reviewed the latest reports, Otto speaks again:
It seems the BHA is the closest army to relieve Zagreb. Due to Gerhard's illness, there is no knight leading the force. I would ask the Diet's permission to give Lothar Steffen temporary leave to command the BHA despite his status as a mere Squire. He indeed has not been knighted, but this is an emergency situation. I would not lose Zagreb to the Hungarians because we obstinately stuck to tradition.
This move would be with precedent, Prinz Jobst himself led an army as a Squire during Sigismund der Stoltze's Chancellorship.
The boy is young, but he does have a talent for command.
What say all of you?
OOC: BHA is NE of Venice, two turns away from Zagreb.
Conrad Salier:
I for one support King Otto's proposal with the BHA. Desperate times, my friends. Are we going to let Italy be threatened and not do anything about it because of procedural limitations? I sure hope not. It would be most humiliating.
King Otto.
If you read my reports closely, we have a fleet defending Italy and the west, but I chose not to engage the Milanese fleet as we currently are not at war with them and attacking them pre-emptively would require an edict of the diet. Instead, I have sunk several Hungarian fleets passing these waters. This fleet is now underway to Iberia, but if there should be problems surfacing closer to our capital, I will build another fleet.
I too am concerned about the Milanese landing party, but unless you invoke your right to hostility under the charter if a neutral army enters Duchal territory, my hands are bound in that matter.
Otto inclines his head at Hans.
Thank you for your quick reply, Chancellor. I am not overly concerned about the Milanese, it is only a small force. The Hungarians are the more dire threat at this point.
It would be Steward Gerhard's decision whether he wished to declare war against the merchant interlopers or not. Personally, I would let them strike first to bring down the ire of the Church on them and to keep our diplomatic reputation intact.
Thank you.
Dieter von Darmstadt stands,bearing a message
I have here a message from Prinz Jobst himself.
I shan't read it out, but he fully agrees with the Count of Thorn, and proposes to head north and stop the two Danish Armies coming forth.
I,Dieter, Prinz Jobst's messenger, shall notify Prinz Jobst on all things happening, andPrinz Jobst shall be back soon.
Also one of my colleagues, shall investigate the battle grohnd mre if mein lordz wish.
Dieter leaves the Diet,closely followed by Fritz