Conseil du Royaume

[OverKnight]

Hugues chuckles and turns to Raoul.

You do indeed have a fighting spirit Chevalier.

The garrison of Dijon, barring Frankfurt or Caernarvon, is currently the strongest in the Kingdom. If Dijon is threatened or besiged, our armies in the area will converge to defend the city, as we did before.

The Germans outnumber us, we must conduct a mobile defense to parry their powerful but clumsy thrusts. Lorraine has come to the aid of Bourgogne in the past, if the reverse will hold true in future, I will provide your Duchy with more cavalry.

N'est-ce pas?

[deguerra]

Raoul makes a curt bow in the direction of the Duc de Lorraine

Hugues chuckles and turns to Raoul.

The garrison of Dijon, barring Frankfurt or Caernarvon, is currently the strongest in the Kingdom. If Dijon is threatened or besiged, our armies in the area will converge to defend the city, as we did before.

I may be simple, but do not think the use of the word "garrison" escapes me. Yes, Dijon has a sizeable garrison. It hardly has a sizeable army.

The Germans outnumber us, we must conduct a mobile defense to parry their powerful but clumsy thrusts. Lorraine has come to the aid of Bourgogne in the past, if the reverse will hold true in future, I will provide your Duchy with more cavalry.

N'est-ce pas?

Bien sur. I presume you are not wanting to insinuate any doubt that Bourgogne would fail to do so.

[KnightnDay]

Indeed. We are in this together, and there is every reason for the houses of Bourgogne and Lorraine to cooperate in the mutual protection of our lands. That, along with the generous offer of assistance from our fair prince should provide a more than adequate defense.

[Ituralde]

If it is heavy cavalry you need, I have a score of them under my command. This is the reason the Order was founded in the first place. To help the Royaume in any way possible. We are currently tied up in the defense of Frankfurt and will hopefully strike at Emperor Maximilian soon. Should that situation change though and the German concentrate their attacks elsewhere don't hesitate to ask for assistance. The Order will gladly help to keep our borders safe!

[AussieGiant]

Arms folded, Alain observes proceeding reclined in his chair.

[_Tristan_]

Philippe turns to the Senechal

Hugues, you asked what I would require for taking on Maximilian and his cohorts. It depends on what your vassal Saint Amand requires for garrisonning Frankfurt. One or two spearmen would be fine if I could keep the crossbowmen already in Frankfurt within my army. I'll have my quartermaster draw an account of what is needed (OOC : I'll take a close look at the save) and give to you.

As to Sieur de Châtillon's observation that Frankfurt was ever German and should remain so, I'd like him to look back to the times of Charlemagne, when the borders of France extended over the Pyrrenées in the South West, to Rome in the South East and up to Saxony in the North, reaching down to Carinthia in the East. So when we conquer lands behind the Pyrennées or over the Rhine, we are only reclaiming what was lost to us due to the bickering of Charlemagne's sons... We are reclaiming what is OURS !!

So Frankfurt will remain French at whatever cost... I would not take back something I have granted in good faith, it would make a poor liege of me, and that I will not allow.

[deguerra]

I am, of course, no historian, mon roi, but was it not after Charlemagne that the lands of the French and of the Germans were divided.

Of course, I may misunderstand, not having your wisdom, but by your logic, do not the Germans have equal claim on Paris?

But in any case, I am not saying we must give Frankfurt back. I am merely taking the position that rapid expansionism, blatantly only aimed at increasing the personal power of one noble or another without any regard for the wellbeing of the Kingdom and its people is to be avoided.

[_Tristan_]

Sieur de Châtillon, you speak the truth when you say that it was after Charlemagne that the lands of Franks and Germans were divided... but it's only because of the feuds between his descendants that it became so... Charlemagne was King of the Franks, as I am, before the title of Emperor was given to him by the Pope... And I cannot bear to see his lands or his title usurped by Heinrich or his ilk, heathen that they are... So that deals with any claim the Germans may have upon French lands...

They've been conquered once and God-willing, they will be once again...

As to rapid expansion, I've done everything in my power to cull it and to see to the well-being of my people, enacting laws that required the building of churches or granaries before the building of barracks... Expansion east is stopped by the Pope's Edict, we're now only defending ourselves and expansion south is stopped now that the rebellious provinces have been brought to heel.

I don't know where you've seen that our expansion was "blatanly aimed" at increasing one noble's power over another as I tried to distribute all lands conquered according to the merits of each House.

[OverKnight]

Philippe turns to the Senechal

Hugues, you asked what I would require for taking on Maximilian and his cohorts. It depends on what your vassal Saint Amand requires for garrisonning Frankfurt. One or two spearmen would be fine if I could keep the crossbowmen already in Frankfurt within my army. I'll have my quartermaster draw an account of what is needed (OOC : I'll take a close look at the save) and give to you.

My King, having studied the reports, I will release up to 1600 florins for hiring mercenaries. Your Majesty could acquire two companies of spearmen, or one company and some crossbowmen with those funds. Your choice, though it appears your Majesty needs footmen.

All I ask for Frankfurt is that you leave a company of men of your choosing behind to garrison the city. Thomas has prioritized some militia for the city, but they will not be ready until next season.

Is this acceptable?

OOC: If it is, you can take the save and make the hires yourself before any action.

[OverKnight]

Reeves hands Hugues a report. The Duc chokes on some wine he had been drinking. Wiping off his doublet, he stands to speak.

Dauphin, may I ask why your men are directly outside Bern? Your Highness is damned close to violating Edict 2.2. You're not sieging the place, but you seem to be inviting them to strike at you.

Remember the gentleman in the pointy hat? The one who can bring damnation down on us? Hmm? I'm not sure if he cares much for the subtle distinction your Highness might be aiming at.