Conseil du Royaume

Thierry takes a parchment in front of him. The scribe next to him tells him it's the bill for his latest armor. Thierry shrugs and mumbles something.

"Read the Charter", he says. What are we? Priests? I can't read.

He whispers something to his scribe who takes another parchment and starts to read it softly to Thierry, who is soon starting to look bored. He tells his scribe to shut up and looks at Duke de Rohan.

If it's legally possible, then go ahead. I don't mind taking Caernarvon a second time. Allthough not very cooperative, the women were nice.

Alain glances at Thierry.

"Yes well we wont be going back zere again if it is successful no matter how accommodating ze Welsh wenches have been.

Zere are far too many sheep 'ere. It is not good for ze men's moral to be so near sheep all ze time. At least zat is what I have experienced."

I pray the High Seneschal will not become greatly annoyed that I should disagree with his interpretion of our charter- to wit:

All conquered provinces must be ratified by an edict, which can be passed at the session before the conquest or be applied retroactively at the first session after.

Edict 1.2 which passed by a vote of 20-0, stated

Brigandry is is not to be tolerated, and as such all rebel settlements bordering the nation of France are to be brought under her rule.

Ergo, by virtue of the fact that the rebel outpost of Metz bordered France, then it's ratification was a fait accompli.

And having been so ratified and the land formally passed by consent of the king, the remaining portion of the charter does not apply- to wit:

While a province is not ratified taxes must be set to the highest level possible and no recruitment can be made in that settlement.

So if the Seneschal considers whether or not to provide troops in support of the defense of Metz, I do not believe our charter should be an impediment to a final decision.

Bertin remains silent but gives a small nod of agreement in the direction of Thomas.

Sir de Saint-Armand is correct that my intent with Edict 1.2 was to ratify in advance the taking of rebel provinces bordering France, which would include Metz, Bruges, Zaragosa, and, after the taking of Zaragosa, Valencia. Is this unclear?

The difficulty with offering these lands is that they will do nothing to halt the German advance and they are highly unlikely to be viewed as worthy by dear William. Clearly he intended Wales to be a part of his realm, and so logically he will barter for it. Staufen is, perhaps, a less viable offer, but if he accepted it would secure one region of our border with the Romans.

Bruges is a rich city, in potential at least, and I do not believe anything we want from William is worth it in trade. Zaragosa and Valencia secure our flank to an ally, if they were surrendered to William we would have a potential enemy with access to three cardinal directions of attack against our nation. The land belongs to the King to do with as he pleases, but I would have to say offering William the chance to surround us is probably unwise.

Metz is a more interesting case in potential, but Metz has been assigned to a Baron and is no longer under the King's strict control. You will have to speak to the Baron to determine that province's availability in negotiations.

:egypt:

Alain stands visibly brightening at the news from Sir de Saint-Armand.

"Excellent.

I 'ave been speaking to ze King, Metz is formally 'anded over while ze remaining provinces are all part of ze Kings Demesne at zis point in time.

While I can understand ze issue wiz negotiating 'ard fought land to ze English, creating a France which is whole once more will at least shorten our boundries and ensure we 'ave a proper border to defend.

Zis is far more valuable zan 'aving enemies on both to our front and behind."

If we secure french lands from William they are already safe and far from the reach of the Germans or English. Also they are castles so professional troops could be trained. And offering lands such as Stauffen and Zaragosa are too remote for the English to use to martial forces against us.
Plus they are now surrounded by our ally to the south and enemy to the east.
So they could fall and be captured again.

Hugues speaks.

I believe we should limit ourselves to offering Staufen and Wales in any deal with the English. Not only is Bruges a profitable trading town, it offers the shortest passage across the Channel. We should deprive the English of it, and it might be useful later.

I know we have a Diplomat in England, but do we have one that will be able to treat with the Germans in the next few seasons? The possibility still exists that the Pope will ask us to cease hostilities.

Edit: Hugues nods to Thomas.

Very sharp thinking Chevalier.

We seem to have a consensus on Bruges being off the table.

Offering Zaragosa and/or Valencia would cut Raynaud de Xaintraillies off from the rest of France and strand him deep in English lands. I don't believe he would agree with the idea that it makes them 'too remote' to attack us. I don't know how that would effect the King's edict preventing trespassing on English lands... that same issue would cloud the hand over of Caeranarvon, eh?

Furthermore we have a castle, right now, with many men awaiting training and it is not being used. Not only that, it borders Germany when none of the other castles we might secure do, leaving troops trained at those a long distance from the front. I have resisted putting in prioritization because I do not wish to constrain the Seneschal's hands, but if we're securing fresh castles just so we can train I will put a prioritization in ahead of building any facilities in those places.

Zaragosa and Valencia are already secure and producing income for the war effort, more than would be produced by Anger certainly.

I hope very much for peace on the German front, but if it cannot be found and I find Toulouse is being surrounded by English provinces I may not feel entirely comfortable bringing my forces east into the German campaign.

:egypt:

Hugues grimaces.

That large German army now south of Reims did not besiege that city, nor did they attack me at the Moselle ford. Judging by that and their general course, I'd would say that they are heading to Dijon.

I hope you laid your best silverware out for company Duc Raymond.

He shakes his head.

I'm sorry a poor jest.

There seems to be three ways to deal with this: First, gather the combined forces of Bourgogne and Lorraine and attack them now. Second, wait for them to siege and then sally combined with my forces attacking their rear. Third, let them siege, but destroy their siege equipment through sallying. This could prolong the siege until starvation forced a sally, allowing us to gather a superior force to relieve the town.

What say you Duc Raymond?

Of course, if anyone has any bright ideas I'm listening.

(OOC: Turns out I have internet access up here after all.)

*An Aquitanian clerk gets handed a stack of reports. After skimming through all of them, he nods thoughtfully and stands up to address the Conseil.*

My Lords,

I hate to trouble you at this hour but it seems as if there has been another development in regards to the Empire. I will note that we have lost contact with Her Highness the Princess Constance. Her progress reports, normally very precise and prompt, have been noticeably absent for some time now. Considering her most recent report puts her in or near Imperial territory, I worry for her safety. I will also note that one of her suitors is a minor Imperial nobleman; Hermann von Munich, if I am not mistaken.

Not to presume things above my station, but I would like to reflect on the possibility that a member of the Royal Family has been kidnapped by the Holy Roman Empire for a moment.

I believe your second plan is the best, Duc Hughes. If his majesty will allow it, perhaps the Seneschal can recruit additional spear militia and rush them towards Dijon during the next season.

It seems to me that once we have accomplished that, the time shall be ripe to embark on a campaign to attack Bern. It is a fine castle that could supply us with many soldiers, and is quite close to both Staufen and Dijon. What say you all?

As for the matter regarding Princess Constance, I can only hope our enemies would not stoop so low. It should certainly be looked into, though by what authority I know not.

I second the Duc of Burgundy's proposal. The war is becoming a darker affair, with the fears over our Princess. Taking Bern would go someway towards securing what at present is our "soft underbelly", so to speak.

Hugues nods to Duc Raymond.

I will hold at the ford then and move in after they pass. I will most likely bring up extra forces from Reims and any Chevalier of Lorraine who wishes to join me.

You realize Duc Raymond that this will be your command? If I attack the rear, they will have time to back off to a site outside the town walls. In order to keep this advantage, you must initiate the attack and my men will enter as reinforcements.

Before I commit my men, I must have your word that you are confident of victory. A bloody defeat would ruin both our armies. This would leave my Duchy open to attack from the German army south of Frankfurt.

I mean no disrespect and I expect losses, but I must have an army still worth the name after the battle.

Thomas leans over to Hugues, and in a low voice replies "Mon duc, I am at your disposal and shall ride out from Rheims if this be our plan."

Hugues responds, forgetting to whisper and clapping Thomas on the shoulders.

Excellent! The whole Duchy will be there.

You have my word, Duc Hughes, that our forces will be victorious against the Swabians.

Alain looks at both Duke's in turn.

"So what do you need from me to support zis manoeuvre?"

Hugues responds to the Seneschal.

If Bertin de Montsault is to join us, as he wishes to do, a company of. . .ugh. . .peasants should be recruited to keep order in Metz in his absence, otherwise there might be rioting.

If the Germans siege Dijon, I will be able to bring myself, Baron Montsault, Chevalier Saint-Amand, four companies of spears and two of bowmen to the aid of Duc Raymond. Of the spearmen two companies are bloodied from Staufen.

Combined with Duc Raymond's forces in Metz, we should match the German numbers. Judging by my previous battle, they will most likely have the edge in quality of footmen, but with so many of our nobles in the field, we will have an advantage in cavalry.

Alain raises his eyebrows at the description.

"Well zen we should completely rodger zem if zat is ze case."

A herald in royal livery steps into the Conseil.

The King would require the service of the Order de la Fleur de Lys for one season more. Sa Majesté would like that as many Chevliers of the Order as possible join him on the Rhine ford west of Frankfurt to bar the way to the large German force holding it.

Raynaud de Xaintrailles:

I formally request permission to depart Iberia for a diplomatic mission to Imperial territory in order to inquire about the Princess Constance's wherabouts. It is clear that her absence has made an already-difficult situation even more terrible. As the Imperials, no matter their past troubles with the Pope, are a good Christian nation, I cannot believe that they would hold a fellow highborn against her will.

"You will be buggered by a bratwurst before you take two steps into Imperial territory Ray!!

Just what exactly are you going to be attempting zere? "

Raynaud:

I aim to go there under the protection of diplomatic immunity, inquire about her wherabouts, and ultimately extract her. Even if the war continues, it is beyond any highborn's sense of decently to kidnap a fellow highborn woman to use for his own twisted purposes.

Sir de Xaintraillies so long as you leave a competent man in charge of our Iberian holdings you have your lord's permission to proceed. I trust your understanding of the situation and your ability to ward yourself.

Plus, if the Germans do you any harm I'll take it right back out of their hides twice as fast. Godspeed!

:egypt:

The Prince, obviously in a merry mood, rises to speak once again with a wry grin,

I should add that if you do encounter any Germans who have run afoul of dear Constance please save them from her posthaste! I and the lads won't be far behind to deliver them to a sharper and more kindly fate, after which they will surely be at peace.

:egypt:

Raynaud de Xaintrailles:

As you will.

*Raynaud bows and exits the Conseil.*

God's speed, Raynauld.

Your majesty - the Company of the Order of the Fleur de Lys stands ready to answer your call. All four of us (Gaspard, Eloi, Simon and myself) will ride with you at your command. This will leave Antwerp without a garrison, but I trust you and the Seneschal can make suitable arrangements. Lowering the taxes would suffice to keep the locals content.

OOC: Tristan, it's probably easier if you move all the avatars, thanks. :bow:

It will be an honour to serve under your guidance once more, mon Roi.

I wish Seigneur de Xantrailles success in his endeavour. I still hope that the worst hasn't happened and that the Royal Family is safe.

Hugues clenches his fist.

I could lift that siege and destroy that army at Staufen if I only had an army worth the name.

I could hire mercenaries once I cross the Rhine and that would give me enough men, but the cost would be high.

The situation along the upper Rhine and Switzerland grows grim. The forces in Bern will reconstitute and strike west again. If Staufen falls, the German army there will join them. So we pay now for the mercenaries, or we pay later rebuilding our burnt cities.

Failing this, I will fall back to the Moselle ford.