The Duchy of Lorraine

[OverKnight]

The Duchy of Lorraine

Provinces of Lorraine:
Reims - Town
Metz - Wooden Castle
Frankfurt - Large Town (Capital)

Nobles of Lorraine:
Henri Capet - Braden - Duc de Lorraine
André des Vaux - Elite Ferret - Comte de Reims
Villain de la Salle - shlin28 - Baron de Metz
Chretien Saisset - OverKnight - Chevalier

Rulers of Lorraine:
1081 - 1113 Hugues de Champagne
1113 - 1116 Thomas de Saint-Amand
1116 -------Henri Capet

The Departed:
Bertin de Montsault - woad&fangs - Comte de Metz (Died in Battle, 1111)
Hugues de Champagne - OverKnight - Duc de Lorraine (Liver Failure, 1113)
Thomas de Saint-Amand - KnightnDay - Duc de Lorraine (Died in the Battle of Frankfurt, 1116)

[woad&fangs]

A young, stern faced man enters.
I, Bertin de Montsault, wish to swear fealty to the Duchy of Lorraine.

[ULC]

A man in a darkly colored bliaud enters and begins to inspect the place with the keen eyes of a career soldier. Seemingly satisfied with his cursory inspection, the man pulls back his hood and approaches Hugues de Champagne.

"I am Gaeten de Rethel, of the noble House of Rethel, and, in the interests of my family, I hereby swear an oath of fealty to Hugues de Champagne of the Duchy of Lorraine, if you will have me."

[OverKnight]

Ah welcome to the Duchy both of you. Have some wine, it is quite good.

[woad&fangs]

Bertin graciously accepts the offered wine and takes a sip.

Monsieur, your taste is impeccable! A toast... I propose a toast to the Duchy. May its vinyards prosper across the whole of Europe!

Bertin raises his goblet and then takes another sip.

[OverKnight]

Hugues raises his glass.

A good toast. I do wish to expand. . .our vineyards. Of course there are some God forsaken parts of this continent where grapes will not grow. England, for example, where they have to drink ale. A terrible shame that.

Of course the Rhine valley is known for it's Rieslings. . .

[ULC]

Gaeten raises as well, taking a small sip before setting it down.

"Indeed, the Rhine has had some wonderful vintages of late, but, those Franconian merchants have been very hard to bargain with - they always try to charge far more then they are worth, but I suppose that is business.

My Lord Hugues, I have heard that soon there will be a Tourney in Paris - are we to take part?"

[OverKnight]

Hugues twirls his wine glass.

Yes, though I believe we will be competing as individuals rather than as a House. No one is compelled to go, but who would stay away from such a wonderful spectacle?

[KnightnDay]

I, Thomas de Saint-Amand, wish to swear loyalty to Hugues de Champagne and the House of Lorraine. What say you, most noble duke?

[OverKnight]

Hugues, still looking a bit woozy from the Tourney looks up at the new arrival. His eyes take a moment or two to focus on him. He speaks with groggy enthusiasm.

Ah! A fellow Red! Wish to God we'd done a bit better against those damnable Blues. . .

Hugues pauses and speaks again.

No offense meant, Gaeten or Bertin. Jolly good show both of you.

The Duc shakes his head to clear out the cobwebs and turns back to Thomas.

I accept your oath of fealty Chevalier de Saint-Amand. Welcome to the Duchy of Lorraine!

The Duc's gaze takes in all three of his new vassals.

Now that we've dispensed with beating each other over the head with sticks, we have our first Council session coming up. As Lorrainers. . .uh. . .Lorraineses. . .as. . .hmmmm. . .as nobles of Lorraine, what should be our priorities at the session? What edicts should we propose? What should be the goals of our Duchy?

OOC: Feel free to PM if needed since this is a public thread, but this will be the default area for discussion.

[woad&fangs]

No offense taken, Duc Hugues.

Bertin pours himself some wine to sooth his aching muscles.

Welcome to the Duchy, Thomas! Well fought at the tourney.

[OverKnight]

Reeves murmurs something in Hugues's ear. The Duc speaks again.

Excellent notion!

One thing we should consider is that some of the lesser Houses of the Realm (OOC: The Council of Nobles in M2) have offered to provide the Crown with 2500 florins if the castle of Metz is brought into the Kingdom. We wouldn't want the Germans to seize territory on this side of the Rhine either. If we're going to be neighbors, I'd prefer a river between us and them.

[ULC]

Reeves murmurs something in Hugues's ear. The Duc speaks again.

Excellent notion!

One thing we should consider is that some of the lesser Houses of the Realm (OOC: The Council of Nobles in M2) have offered to provide the Crown with 2500 florins if the castle of Metz is brought into the Kingdom. We wouldn't want the Germans to seize territory on this side of the Rhine either. If we're going to be neighbors, I'd prefer a river between us and them.

"A suggestion my Duc - allow Thomas to take it, he is young yet but he seems capable, and the garrison in Metz offers no true danger. The House of Rethel is partially within the rebellious realm of southern Flanders, however, and I would ask that both me and Bertin along with most of Riems garrison accompany us to take it. I can easily bring Brughes to it's knees sire, if you would allow me. This would also prevent any further encroachment by either the Germans or the English."

OOC: The English, Danish, and Germans will all take this spot, most likely the HRE, within the first few turns and with a substantial army as well.

[KnightnDay]

Thomas, although somewhat bruised from the tournament play, feels a great deal of relief at having chosen such fine companions. He feels sure that he now has an opportunity to serve in a worthy cause, and knows what must be done.

"The capture of Metz must take place without delay and have first priority over any effort France undertakes. The Kaiser will have his forces on the move quickly to this area as he knows all too well it provides an excellent invasion route into our land. If the Holy Roman Empire takes Metz, it will be as a dagger at the very throat of France. Our good and well-intentioned brothers in Bretagne will doubtless urge swift action against the English, but our view at the first council meeting must prevail to secure our eastern borders ahead of any other undertaking.

If it pleases my lords, I am prepared to serve in this vital undertaking in any capacity you see fit. And now, I think I'd like a taste of that wine myself."

Thomas lifts his wine goblet high. "For the glory of France and Lorraine!"

[OverKnight]

If the latest reports are correct, the forces available to us are two companies of spearmen, one of militia, one of archers and our own personal retinues. Metz has two companies of infantry, a company of knights and some peasant archers. The garrison of Bruges is an unknown quanity.

Gaetan, you propose that Thomas takes Metz, while you take Bruges with our current forces. What men would you leave with him?

[ULC]

If the latest reports are correct, the forces available to us are two companies of spearmen, one of militia, one of archers and our own personal retinues. Metz has two companies of infantry, a company of knights and some peasant archers. The garrison of Bruges is an unknown quanity.

Gaetan, you propose that Thomas takes Metz, while you take Bruges with our current forces. What men would you leave with him?

"I would have the archers and spearmen Mi Lord. I know the quality of them men of Bruges, and I could have no less, but with them, I assure you Bruges will fall. Metz itself would be most easily taken by Thomas, with either you or the militia at his side, although he could do without either, but the battle would be hard fought then.

I understand I ask much, and we have little, but we must push forward now, when our enemies cannot contain us. If we do not, we allow them to set the boundaries, allow them the power."

[KnightnDay]

"If Bertin or the Duke will accompany me to Metz, and the available mercenary spear and crossbow companies are raised with us, the castle will fall with a minimum of bloodshed. We should not attempt to strike with less. That will in turn guarantee sufficient troops with which Bruges can be laid siege. Le Roi is sympathetic to our cause, I think, along with other men of wisdom. Once these two places are under our control, we have our position secured and can support the other worthy causes being advanced within the council"

[ULC]

"That is far to much expense Thomas! The rest of the Kingdom cannot suffer because we are afraid of shedding our own blood in battle. Metz is nothing, the garrison presents no credible threat, and Bruges will fall with the rest of our troops."

"Two Companies must go to Metz, with one laying siege and the other for support - the rest of our Companies must head north, and take Bruges. Once completed, I and whatever the Duc allows will stay behind to hold Bruges while Metz and Riems are reinforced."

"We have more then enough men to take both - we must not squander the treasury of the realm from fear!"

[KnightnDay]

"With respect, Gaeten, I believe the expense is not unreasonable. 2,500 florins will be delivered to the treasury upon the fall of the place. The expense of these mercenaries does not come without cost, it is true. They can be disbanded as soon as militia can replace them in garrison if need be.

As far as a siege goes, there should be no need for that. Our spy should be able to position himself to assist us in opening the gate when the time comes. That itself will save the lives of some of our men. And no one in this house is fearing the shedding of blood. We all know that is expected. But it is prudent to use every tool at our disposal to accomplish our task and preserve our forces where possible.

Also, the threat of Metz does not come from rebels, it comes from the empire to the east. If there is any opportunity for the Kaiser to take such a vital location, he will pounce on it, you can be sure of that.

In any case, it seems that Bertin sees things as I do, and your position is clear enough. And I do appreciate your candor and I respect your opinion. Perhaps the Duc can speak to where he sees matters? "

[OverKnight]

Metz is the priority for Lorraine. We currently only have enough men to take Metz or Bruges, not both at once. I doubt that the Conseil will vote extra troops for us, mercenary or otherwise, particularly if the King's edict concerning recruitment passes.

I find grubbing for troops and territories in the Conseil a bit distasteful. When it comes to the disposition of new lands, I have no doubt le Roi will judge each Duchy by its actions and not our words.

[KnightnDay]

"As you say mon duc, some of these matters are distasteful, but it is part of the political game which for better or worse we are all now part of. I accept the fact that we must live with its consequences. The King expressed his desire to see Metz freed from rebel hands. One would hope that might sway the opinions of some to see our point of view."

[ULC]

"My Duc, I heartily disagree with being unable to take Bruges with the men we have now. I know I ask much, but it can be taken, and it must be taken, or we will be vulnerable to the English or Germans."

[OverKnight]

A flash of irritation crosses Hugues's face.

Gaetan, let me be clear, I will lead the attack on Metz. It will be done with the forces the Duchy has in Reims. I will not need mercenaries. I feel they would be too much of a drain on our coffers, particularly if we wish to purchase Angers from the English.

Now, any of my vassals may join me in the field if they wish, but it will be my command. Is this clear to everyone? No more haggling with the Fleur de Lys or Conseil about what I consider an internal House matter.

You are all young, you will have your oppurtunity for land and victory later. Please show some patience.

[ULC]

Gatean bows respectfully.

"Forgive me Mi Duc, I am simply eager to see the Royaume safe, and I would feel less of a man if others were to do what I my self should. I have but one life, and although reckless I may be with it, I would still put it to use."

[KnightnDay]

So it is settled then. Mon duc, if it is acceptable, I will accompany you to Metz and assume any position as you see fit.

[OverKnight]

Hugues seems to be back in a good mood.

Well, it seems no matter what plans we had, the King's trumps them all.

Bertin, will you be joining Gaetan at Bruges?

Thomas, I will be honored to have you with me at Metz.

From these humble beginnings, we shall do great things!

[woad&fangs]

I will go where you feel I can serve best, mon Duc.

[OverKnight]

This term, it is your decision Bertin, as army commands are scarce.

[woad&fangs]

Then I wish to follow you to Metz this season.

[OverKnight]

Metz is now besieged. Any Chevalier of Lorraine who wishes to join the besieging army may do so.

OOC: I only moved Hugues and the army. If you want your avatar to join, please take the save and move him into the stack.