Seneschal's and Nobles' Reports

[_Tristan_]

Le Rapport Royal de l'an de Grâce 1117




This year has been wrought with successes but at a dire cost once again. Duc Thomas, new to the Ducal Crown, has fallen, struck down by the bolts of the Reich. This new death has heightened His Majesty’s resolve that a ceasefire be concluded with the Reich.

In the wake of Duc Thomas’ death, Prince Henri has been bestowed the title of Duc de Lorraine as victor of the battle to defend Frankfurt.


Affaires diplomatiques

Our diplomats have been busy this year but as yet unsuccessful. They have presented themselves at the courts of the Russian Czar, Hungarian King and Milanese Duke with offers that their hosts have considered very generous but have rebuked nonetheless. It seems we are viewed suspiciously by most of the realms.

Severin de Brie, after successfully organizing the handing over of York, has gone back to that city to present the Scottish sovereign with an offer for Edinburgh next season.

Being true to their reputation for stubbornness, the Germans have refused our offer for a ceasefire, though we offered a King’s ransom in gold. They have even gone as far as insulting us by saying they could afford the losses of this war and were glad of our offer as it offered proof we were close to the breaking point. His Majesty wonders what will be necessary to bring them to accept their defeat.

The Scottish diplomat has once again been spotted heading for Caernarvon. What can be discussed between enemies is a matter of guessing…

Affaires militaires

Once again the German aggression on our lands has been repulsed, but at great cost. The Lorraine Ducal army has suffered severe losses, which our treasury will seek to compensate. This success must not make us forget also the victory scored by Comte de Châtillon at Bern. The Bourgogne army of Bern will see some retraining as well.

Prince Louis has launched an assault on the Moors’ southernmost holdings, facing a large concentration of men.

His Majesty has made a great step kicking the English out of the British Isles by taking Edinburgh. The mission of the Council of Nobles expired, the port of the city now belonging to France. The city will soon be offered to the Scots, while His Majesty intends to sail back south to Nottingham.

Recrutement

Here is the list of our recruited and retrained forces.

Few men have been trained this year, the priority being given to the retraining of our losses. Only Bruges saw an addition to its garrison as public order there has always been a problem.

Albion

The King’s army was to be retrained in Nottingham with the purpose of assaulting the last English settlement and the King with his cavalry had already taken ship. Orders are being sent to have the fleet turn around as a Danish fleet has been spotted approaching the English coast.



It carries a large contingent of Viking raiders.

Our Council of Nobles advised of this new development has asked us to blockade the port of Arhus to prevent any reinforcements of this invasion force.

Germany

Far from being deterred by their last defeat, the Reichlanders maintain their aggressive stance. Herrmann Erlach marches west again. Another army follows the North Sea coastline, bearing down on Antwerp.

Large forces are also gathering around Nuremburg.

The German prince Leopold has been discovered in Innsbruck, hiding from the Inquisition, no doubt.

Iberia

Though the Prince wished to build fortifications at the feet of the Jabal Tariq as the heathens call the southern mountainous tip of Iberia against further Moorish incursions, the cost of such temporary constructions would be better used elsewhere. However, a fleet could interdict the straits at a lesser cost hence His Majesty grants Prince Louis permission to recruit a mercenary fleet to that effect.

Though the Moors do not take kindly to the presence of His Majesty’s son in their lands, a large contingent of their troops marched north towards Portugal rather than attack our Prince and face certain death.

Cordoba is also garrisoned by a large force that could sally out. His Majesty advises his son to keep his fleet at close hand in case he needs to withdraw quickly.

Italy

A clue to Milan’s refusal of our generous diplomatic offers has been given by the discovery that two large Milanese armies are crossing the Alps and are nearing Bern.

Affaires intérieures

Military buildings have been completed this year, further strengthening our northern, southern and eastern borders.

Garrison quarters have been commissioned in Toulouse and Bern. A Market in Bruges and a Town Hall in Marseille.

Several priests have been deployed in our lands where they were needed. We would not want to draw the attention of the Inquisition.
One of our priests has even been sent on a mission to track down and bring to God’s justice the heretic Abraham, who preaches that Germany and France are the new Sodom and Gomorrah. Let us pray he reaches him before the Inquisitor and thus brings proof of our orthodoxy and our faith.

News have reached from our merchants from far abroad. They have ventured deep into the wilderness of Africa and discovered riches beyond comparison. They tell of trees bearing golden fruits and men and women sold as cattle. Though these might be tall tales, the money they sent to the treasury gives them some credit. They have heard rumours of large bones of a fine white material, of a finer quality than whalebone and in larger supply.

Affaires de la Cour et du Monde

Several nobles have flocked to the banner of Lorraine and his Majesty congratulates them, as the Duchy is in dire need of noble arms to defend against the Reich. Let us all celebrate Sieur André des Vaux, Villain de la Salle et Chrétien Saisset.

It seems His Majesty’s son Charles draws the attention of many ambitious nobles. Another one has come forward proposing himself for adoption after the refusal of the last one.

Recommandations

His Majesty will renew negotiations with the Reich. In the meantime, his Majesty would be thankful if at least one of the Order Knights were to go back to Antwerp to organize the defenses there. Another one has permission to go to the coast and hire a mercenary fleet (OOC: or change his SOT to allow the King to do it) to be sent to Arhus.

His Majesty renews his authorization to Prince Louis to recruit a fleet of mercenary ships to interdict the straits between Europe and Africa.

His Majesty advises all commanders to bring froth their request for supplies in facing their upcoming fights.


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