Seneschal's and Nobles' Reports

[OverKnight]

Seneschal's Report for 1096

Please update your SOT posts.


Current Events

Captain Hans, leading the German army west of the Moselle, decided to personally congratulate me on my new position by attacking me under cover of darkness at the ford. How rude of him. It would have been funny if I had died in the battle before my term really even began. All that spilling of ink and recounting of votes wasted, a shame.

Well no worries there:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The survivors managed to escape in the darkness and fled to Bern. (OOC: A few odd things here: 1. A captain led stack initiated a night attack. 2. I was never given the option to release/ransom/execute. 3. Hugues gained the "Respectul to Prisoners" trait, meaning the computer just auto released the prisoners. On the plus side I gained the Nightfighter trait.)

Dublin is now besieged by the English. Our spy, Aubert Fevre, was expelled from the city.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Kaiser Maximillian has joined the large German army southeast of Frankfurt. No doubt he seeks vengeance for his capture by the Dauphin. Speaking of Prince Louis, he has yet another adoption offer. I leave it to his Highness to decide. (OOC: Ramses, if you want to give me standing orders for how to deal with adoption offers let me know.)


Domestic Affairs

Metz has been upgraded to a Wooden Castle, Bruges now has a Grain Exchange and Antwerp a Small Church.

When the Realm has a spare florin or two, I will begin recruiting merchants. Duc Alain has done a fine job to keep us in the black, but we could use more sources of revenue.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Foreign Affairs

I will renew negotiations with those obstinate ponces in England this year.

I will ask Princess Constance, if she is agreeable, to use her contacts in Rome to increase our reputation in the eyes of the Holy Father. (OOC: TheFlax, let me know what plans you have for Constance.) Only the Empire, at war with the Papal States, has worse relations with the Church among the Catholic powers.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

An attempt will be made to negotiate with the Empire, however there are currently no diplomats nearby.


Military Affairs

As I mentioned, the last German army west of the Rhine has been dispersed. However the Eastern Front is still very active.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Frankfurt is threatened, and a company of Germans to the north might be trying to take an end run at Antwerp. The city is vulnerable, as there are no nobles there to lead a defense.

Survivors of failed German invasions, mixed with possible new recruitment, continue to gather in Bern and Staufen. They may become a threat.

However, we cannot ride off into German territory to face them or besiege their settlements. We are on the defensive so the coot in the Curia doesn't excommunicate us. Killing them on our lands is perfectly fine. Have at it.

Also, due to losses in my latest battle, my army is worn down. I have few spearmen left to protect my archers. Others, I hope, will step up to protect the area as I seek reinforcements.

Speaking of reinforcements, until Metz is properly built up, the only place in the Kingdom where archers and cavalry can currently be recruited is Toulouse. The only cities that can produce spear militia are Paris and Frankfurt. I would rather rely on home grown forces than mercenaries.

I ask the cooperation of the Dauphin and King when it comes to providing new companies and reinforcements. To bring properly balanced armies into the field, I will need their help and permission to move newly recruited companies from Toulouse and Paris to where they are needed. I can assure everyone that spear militia from Frankfurt will be available.

OOC: I'm asking that the SOT entries for Toulouse, Frankfurt and Paris be changed so that newly recruited units may be moved out of the settlements for deployment.


Recommendations

First, I need volunteers to build watchtowers in Iberia, in the areas bordering English possessions and anywhere we lack proper scouting. It's a dirty job, but it needs doing.

Upper Rhine: My own army will be seeking reinforcement. Would either Prince Louis, Duc Raymond or both assume responsibility for the area?

Lower Rhine: The Order and King Philippe are faced with a large German army commanded by Kaiser Maximillian. Should we face them in the field, or await a siege? Or are there other options?

Wales: With Dublin besieged, I see few reasons for the nobles of Bretagne to remain in the area, though I may be wrong. Considering we have only two flotillas of ships in the area, any withdrawal of men back to the continent will be in phases. Perhaps we should start now?

Duc Alain, please let me know what your Grace and your vassals wish to do. I will retain control of the ships, as our agent needs to be transported from Eire as well.

Please bring any suggestions or comments to the Conseil.


The save: KotF-1096-0

If needed I will extend the open save period, since this is a new term.