French Court (IC Thread)

[deguerra]

Michiel looks up from his bored stupor and asks sarcastically

It hurls petty insults at them?

[The Lemongate]

Without bothering to turn around, a look of contempt on his face, the Marquess says:

"You were silent a minute ago Baronet. It suited you. Unless of course you have an enlightening point of view on the Moorish situation? Are Moslems on the offensive again? Hmmm? If so, you should hasten to call back your lord and his cronies so they can fight off this mighty threat!"

[Ramses II CP]

Rising again the King quirks an eyebrow at Count de Lyon and speaks lightheartedly.

You have somehow managed to completely misapprehend the situation once again good Count. I and my royal army will march for Staufen, on the German front, immediately. The Chancellor holds no sway over the men of my command.

It would be terribly unfortunate if, along the way to Staufen, I and my army encountered fighting between Frenchmen. I truly cannot predict what the consequences would be.

I will remind you all, gentlemen, to keep a civil tone in these chambers. Casting aspersions at my daughter will no longer be tolerated and men who test my resolve on that may find themselves banned from speaking in this chamber.

The King's tone darkens at the end of his speech, and his gazes come squarely back to Count de Lyon.

[Privateerkev]

An amused look crosses the Count's face.

So all your talk about serving all of France was just talk eh? And here I thought you were sincere...

As for aspersions on your daughter, I cast none. It is not her fault her husband prefers young Nubian flesh. The man loves to keep pointing out my "preferences" yet can't stand having his own "desires" examined. If she feels dishonored, then I say it is her husband that has dishonored her. Why should I be blamed every time he corners one of his "maids" in the chambers?

If a noble can be banned for speaking the truth about another noble, then it is indeed a dark day in French history.

I've never hidden who I am. It is a shame others have to hide who they are behind facades of God and Chivalry.

[The Lemongate]

"Guillemot, had alcohol not deluded your senses, your words might carry some weight. But your persistance to bring up hearsay and make baseless accusations at the Court are a waste of time. I understand your pain. A warrior who spends years away from the front drinking and bedding lesser women might bear a grudge to more fortunate fellows. But making a fool of yourself will not improve your situation.

Now if anyone had anything constructive to say..."

[Privateerkev]

The Count just smiles at the Marquess.

Baseless? I've done some checking and you have a "reputation" among certain circles that rivals my own. It's a pretty good reputation too. Apparently your stamina is renowned throughout Paris's more colorful districts. I didn't know you had it in you, you old goat.

I'm impressed...

As for alcohol, you'll notice there is no smell left in my clothes. I tried those tips you gave me last night and they worked... wonderfully. You have my gratitude...

[The Lemongate]

"Petit impertinent."

[_Tristan_]

Bohemond Chanteur :

Standing, looking first towards Marquess Poitevin then towards Count de Lyon.

Mes seigneurs,

I could remain here all day listening to you trading pleasantries if only serious matters didn' need consideration.

Civil war is at our door, ready to rip France in two and throw half its nobility against the other half with no care for the people...

For who will care for the lesser folk while we, fortunate beings that we are, fight each other for the favour of our King...

If we were at peace with our neighbours, I would leave you all to lead your petty feuds to your heart's content but the German wolf is howling at our walls...

While I won't deny the Moorish threat is to be dealt with, it is still distant and could be dealt with in due time once Germany has been brought to heel...

Chaque chose en son temps...

Now, I hope that Count de Lyon's moves were only to call the attention of our King and that he won't go any further in implementing this dangerous plan.

With a brief look towards Prince Louis.

Lastly, I hope our King's own son will not fuel the rivalry between the Houses but will rather attempt to help us all find a peaceful solution to those differences.

J'en ai fini, mes seigneurs.

Sits down, a disgusted look crossing his face.

[Zim]

Hugues watches the spectacle unfold before him silently. Despite all of the issues raised by the Civil War, several important to the security of all of France, he cannot help but focus on one close to home. What does this all mean for Albion?

[The Lemongate]

Tired of all the bickering, Marquess Poitevin sits down in his chair, purposefully keeping de Lyon out of his sight.

“House of Anjou is grateful for the King’s decision to march on Staufen. We hope the other Houses have suggestions to share with the Council concerning the Gascony’s warmongering antics or the fight against Germany. God willing, we will eventually start discussing matters of importance here.”

[Ramses II CP]

The question, good Count, is how in God's name I could possibly serve France by marching away from war? Burying me and my royal army in Iberia would only serve to harm France, just as your absurd ambitions will.

As to my daughter's honor, mindlessly impugning the reputation of her husband does damage to her honor. You will watch your mouth henceforth or be expelled. You walk dangerously close to dragging the royal family through the mud, and that I will not tolerate. Do I make myself clear?

Anyone who wants the King's attention need not march to war to get it. I am still willing to hear precisely what this supposed 'inequality' is and why I should act to redress it. There has been a war in the east, and the house that has fought there and taken land is now reaping the benefits. If that is inequality perhaps I should reassign the land from the prior conquest of Portugal as well?

King Philip's remarks are growing more abrupt, and it is increasingly clear that the attack on Constance disturbs him.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Prince Louis:

What have I done to deserve such dishonor from you, Father? Do you clearly have zero confidence in my plans as Chancellor?

I was elected by this body because they saw my past successes and they believed in my vision to further the interests of France as a whole. Unfortunately, due to this war, several cogs have been thrown in my plan and I am trying to make do with limited control over France's armies. The plan, Father, was to have you plug the gap in Iberia while Gascony resolves their conflict with Anjou. Already one Spanish army has slipped by Pamplona and could strike at our interior.

Instead you continue to insist on pressing towards Staufen, worrying about conquering fresh territories instead of defending our homelands! The Spanish, while "neutral", have clearly violated our borders and must not be allowed to do so repeatedly!

If France is to survive and prosper under my reign as Chancellor then I need full cooperation from all of my nobles...

...including the King of France himself.

[Ramses II CP]

The King's face colors with genuine astonishment.

Dishonor? You speak to me of dishonor? Where is the honor in sending your father away from a fight and directly into the territory of a House in the midst of civil war? Have you even sent a diplomat to speak to the Spanish, or are we about to be thrust into a war on the basis of one of their captains getting lost?

Why am I upbraided for not moving south to stop an army that House Gascony allowed into our lands by moving to attack their brothers? Where is your insult for Count de Lyon, who evidently exposed this nation to this territorial violation in his hasty ambition.

I say again there is no war in Iberia! I am moving to defend our lands from the sole aggressor in the region, the Reich. Your claims and Count de Lyon's outrageous insults appear to be combining into a collective approach towards my own good person that I am quite displeased about.

King Philip realizes his outburst was somewhat uneven, and visibly takes control of himself.

If you can provide me some proof that the Spanish, with whom we have been at peace as long as I can remember, are truly a threat then I will march south... On the condition that the castles at Toulouse and Bordeaux devote their products in trained men to my cause, on your word of honor, Louis. You wouldn't send your father to war without granting him some resources, would you?

The King then turns his back on the room to speak with some of his aids, half a dozen of whom quickly scurry out on various tasks while Philip returns to his seat.

[Privateerkev]

Count Guillemot de Lyon sits and watches the bickering with great amusement. Finally, he addresses the King.

Your Majesty,

We seem to be going over the same ground again and again. I will try to lay out my points in so plain a matter, that they can not be twisted.

1.) House Gascony fought for years to secure the Southern Border. Your father, in his wisdom, rewarded the House that fought and bled.

2.) When he passed, you sucked all the men and money out of House Gascony, leaving our Southern Border weak. Despite my pleas and reminders of the years House Gascony has served loyally.

3.) You did this solely because you do not like me. And that is fine, you don't have to. But you let hundreds of thousands of Frenchmen live in fear of our Southern neighbors.

4.) The Prince decided to correct this by giving House Gascony some men for the first time in years. But he will not be Chancellor forever. And I fear when his term ends, the next Chancellor will just take the troops away at your urging.

5.) So, I believe I had to act. To show you just how serious I am. You say to take this up to the Prince, but it is not the Prince who bled Gascony dry. You say I should just come to you, but I have, to no avail. You have let your personal feelings for me cloud your judgment.

But no more. Now you will understand that a French noble will bleed, kill, and die for you but we deserve some measure of respect.

As to your daughter's honor, the fact that you keep trying to blame me for the stain on her honor is just proof that your personal hatred for me clouds your better judgment. If you insist on banning me because of what another man does to your daughter, then there is little we will ever agree on and you might as well ban me and get it over with.

With that, Guillemot simply stands there perfectly straight with fire in his eyes as he waits for the King's response.

[The Lemongate]

Raoulet mutters:

"Oh misère! Mais il en remet en plus..."

[Ramses II CP]

(OOC: This will be a bit oddly OOC since I have to reply to a list)

1. Just as I have done with the House that has fought the Germans. Your complaint remains a mystery.

2. Our Southern border is unthreatened, and you clearly have far too many men if you're willing to commit them to a civil war. I stand by my decision.

3. If I do not like you, it is news to me. Surely you must confess that starting a civil war will tend to color a King's opinion of his noblemen.

4. You are exactly correct, no matter the outcome of this war as soon as a less partial Chancellor is in control I will encourage him to take troops away from houses that are likely to inflict a civil war on my nation. Does this seem unreasonable?

5. I can see what you believe, and I can see I will not sway your beliefs. Now, you go talk to Louis about the deal I put on the table just a bit ago and sway him... if you really want me to 'shore up' this oh so dangerous border your madness has left a gaping hole in.

Returning to Constance, you insult her without cause or proof. If you had raised this matter with me in private, before launching a civil war, your word might have had some credence. To bring the subject up now, in front of the whole court, is just a vapid attempt to sway mass opinion in your favor by demeaning my daughter. You run dangerously close to the line yet again, but I will allow it to pass because I am a man of honor and I meant my words exactly as I said them.

Now, run off and speak with your master, quickly, else Louis will find that he has trumped himself by failing to even acknowledge my offer.

The King nonchalantly turns to speak with his aids again, though this time none rush from the chamber.

[Privateerkev]

Guillemot's face twists into something close to a smile.

It is amusing to see someone get so many things wrong at once.

Alright, I've said my points. Next there will be some actions.

Some people are so far behind, they actually think they are ahead in the race...

With that, de Lyon gives a short laugh and goes to work on something at his desk.

[PrinceofTroy]

Baron Marcel silently takes everything in, thinking how will it effect Pamplona?

"My King, I do not think you realize the situation in the Southwest, the armies of the Moors and the Spanish are just waiting to for us to turn our backs on them so they may enter our Glorious Kingdom! You are obviously oblivious to this threat though, and I assume this stems from your hatred of House Gascony?"

[Ramses II CP]

After a long pause to reflect on how many times he has already addressed this issue, the King stares at Baron Marcel and says:

It was not under my orders that the Southern border armies marched north to attack their brothers. Do not presume to blame me for your Lord's folly again Baron. I have no hate for any of my noble Houses, though I increasingly wonder at the wisdom of having so many.

It is with great sadness that I greet the news of a fresh war with Sicily. While the petty matters of this civil war drag on, and wild claims of the dangerous Spanish and Moors are bandied about, Frenchmen at Ajaccio stand under siege with no forces in position to relieve them and all the professional armies of the South attacking their own. It little reassures me about the competence of our most excellent Chancellor that such a fate has befallen my loyal subjects.

May God have mercy on the men, women, and children of Ajaccio.

I must strongly caution the nobles of Gascony to treat the French citizens at Dijon with the utmost care. If I get word of massacres or rough treatment of my people I will intervene to bring it to an end.

King Philip returns to his seat with a resigned look and an elaborate sigh.

edit: Removed the bit about saving the garrison.

[Privateerkev]

Guillemot looks at the King.

Your majesty,

This goes for the Marquess as well. If either of you have something to say to me, say it to me directly. Leave my vassals alone. Surely two men of your statures can take a few comments from the lower ranks without getting defensive.

If any of their actions or words offend you, keep in mind, that as their Lord, I am the one responsible for them. Therefore, it is only proper to take your complaints to me and me alone. Are we clear?

As for your comment on there being too many Houses, you should have kept that in mind when you created a 4th one out of thin air.

Furthermore, did you not notice the Rebel force of 4 companies just south of Paris? With all due respect, instead of helping your "pet" conquer Germany, you could have been policing your own city...

As for Dijon, worry not. I am merely officiating an equitable transfer of property. There will be no mis-treatment of any settlements or prisoners by any of my men or they will answer to me.

[Ramses II CP]

The King scoffs,

You mean that pathetic and ill led band hiding out in the woods? I'd hardly call them a threat when there's a civil war drawing armies away from the German front. I suppose if you're offering to help though, then by all means I accept. March your men west and take care of that little problem for me.

[Privateerkev]

I promise I will treat the threat to Paris just as seriously as you treated the threat to France from the Spanish.

[OverKnight]

Prince Louis speaks.

What are we to do about the Sicilians, your Majesty? Surely they are more of a threat than outlaws?

I ask because Corsica is part of your personal holdings.

As for the outlaws threatening Paris, I will secure the countryside.

[Ramses II CP]

An excellent question my Chancellor. Since my input on matters to the south has thus far been ignored I will not pretend that I have any control over the situation. I can only pray that the unimaginably deadly threat of the peaceful Spanish which has been so often thrown in my face and which the lord of House Gascony is, err, fleeing from, will not distract us from yet another actual foreign war on yet another front.

In other words, what are your suggestions?

[Privateerkev]

If you had read the Chancellor Report, you would know that the Spanish have allied with the Germans.

Every time Anjou attacks the Germans, there is a chance that Spain will declare war on us. And they have an army marching north through France as we speak.

Furthermore, Germany is allied to Milan which neighbors territory you own.

And I am the one blamed with wanting to start wars with half the nations in Europe...

[TinCow]

Baronet Hermant Tanlay stands and clears his throat.

Noblemen of the Court, Chancellor and Prince Louis, I am but a lowly Baronet, not a man of great rank or prestige. Yet my lands stand watch at the far north of France's domain. Beyond my walls is nothing more than the untamed wilderness and wild Scotsmen. Indeed, the garrison of my city, York, is the front line of all of Western Civilization. Pagans and wolves lie to the north, and we shield true Christians from their wrath. And yet, we are vulnerable.

I have trained the men available to me to the best of my ability, but they are simply peasants and there is only so much that can be done. In the event of an invasion by the Scots or an uprising by the Welsh or other rebels, York will be powerless to resist them. Indeed, I note with concern that there is only one army in all of Albion that is even capable of confronting an enemy in the field: Viscount Henry's Private Army. Even this force is easily the weakest of all of France's armies. It is mainly composed of mercenaries, and not even ones of great quality. Indeed, in this entire army there are only two regiments of true French soldiers, a regiment of Knights and a regiment of unarmored Spearmen.

During times such as these, I hear much about concerns to the south and east, yet no one speaks for the deplorable state of our defenses in the north. True, the Scots are our allies at the moment, but they are a fickle people. The Scots have never been true friends with the rulers of England, whether those rulers hailed from London, Normandy, or Île-de-France. Give them a chance, and they will assail us, I assure you.

I ask the Chancellor to find some room in the budget for some small improvements to the defenses of Albion. I ask not for any great expenditures, simply an investment in our defense and future that may give us a small chance of success in the event of betrayal or rebellion. First, a few watchtowers to control the countryside and watch the border. Second, a fort along the Scottish border with which to delay any invasion. Third, the recruitment of some small number of true French soldiers for the border. Finally, an investment in the facilities of Caernarvon so that they may at least field the most basic of archers.

These investments may not be easy given the demands of other fronts, but I think they are small requests for the defense of an entire House. A House led by your own brother, my Prince. It should not be difficult to find a few hundred florins a year that can be diverted to cold Albion.

My thanks for your time, nobleman of the Court and my Prince.

*Baronet Tanlay bows and sits.*

[Ramses II CP]

The King casts a derisive glance at Guillemot.

Enough with the 'threat' of the Spanish. You stripped your border with them to show the world how much you fear them, and even now your nobles march away from them. Frankly I've begun to wonder if you didn't conclude some kind of side deal with Spain.

For me, I've marched straight at France's true enemy and laid siege to Staufen. Not wishing to waste good troops on this little assault, I have left many of my best men in the care of the Marquess. I am certain he will treat them well, as I hope and pray the rest of my nobles will as well.

I must second Baronet Hermant Tanlay in his call for northern reinforcements. The borderlands of our most recent conquests are thinly held and full of discontent peasants. A rebellion there would reverse all those dearly bought gains we secured against England.

Turning to the Prince, the King continues in a less pleasant tone.

Louis if I understand your latest report correctly you made a gift of my settlement at Ajaccio to the Sicilians by repudiating the possibility of a retaliatory strike. Can I assume you will be repaying me for my loss out of your personal lands or funds?

The King takes a seat, with a look of dissatisfaction on his face.

[Privateerkev]

The Count looks indignent.

Every time you attack the Germans, you increase the chance that the Spaniards will attack us. While you might not care for the citizens of Gascony, I do.

As for your comment regarding me and the Spanish, that is just as absurd as your comment about giving men to the Marquess "to care for."

You have sheltered an Anjou army unit. And now you have reinforced an Anjou field army. These are slaps in the face to all of Gascony and should give every noble in this court pause.

Your claim of neutrality is a farce. Every action you take shows you care little for hundreds of thousands of your own people.

[TinCow]

*Baronet Hermant Tanlay scowls at Count de Lyon and absent mindedly fingers a letter in his pocket. He looks around, impatiently, for the other noblemen from Albion, but neither can be seen.*

[Privateerkev]

Guillemot sees the Baronet's scowl from the corner of his eye. He simply makes a notation in a small notebook. The Count then writes a letter and hands it off to one of his aids.