None could quite remember when the Council of the Kingdom had begun. It had seemed as if it had always been present. Rumor even had it that the current Council building had been built on the spot where Frankish Kings and their nobles had met whenever Charlemagne felt like declaring war on the saxons, which was pretty much always.
The Council building was in the heart of Paris, next to the Royal Palace. Although longer and lower than that famed building, it was no less opulent. Visitors had to walk through a large park full of walkways and marble fountains to reach it's entrance, guarded both by heavily armored spearmen and a pair of elegant statues in the shape of lions, which seemed to prowl watchfully on either side of the main door. Once inside they had a choice to go down one of three hallways. The two to either side lead to the wings of the building in which diplomats and minor functionaries were housed. There was also, at the end of the east wing, a small armory and barracks for the guards. The hallway straight ahead from the entrance led to a pair of large oak doors, carved with scenes from france's history and guarded by more spearmen. Through those doors was the Council chamber, an immense circular room. The walls were lined with tapestries guarded by empty suits of armor, with stained glass windows depicting saints at regular intervals. The ceiling wass painted with both scenes from the book of Genesis as well as battles scenes involving French leaders such as Charles Martel and Charlemagne.
Around the room tables have been set up, all facing a dais in the center. The largest are decorated with the heraldry of the various Houses, as well as whatever additions their occupants have wished to add. Functionaries and servants dash between the tables to wait on their masters and set up. A man reaching the end of his middle years, but still of stately appearance, wearing the livery of the King, stands on the dais to make an announcement.
"The Conseil du Royaume of 1080 has begun! It shall close for voting on the 8th of August at 22:00 PST, so make your edicts, amendments, and announce Seneschal candidacies while you can."
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Council thread for the KOTF forum game. Councils are mainly concerned with proposing edicts and amendments, and putting forth candidates for the position of Seneschal. Edicts and amendments may only be proposed while the Council is in session. The opening and closing of sessions will be announced in the thread. Unless stated otherwise in the list of one's rank powers, all edicts and amendments must be seconded by two other nobles if they are to be put on the ballot.
Edicts and Amendments must be proposed in the proper manner.
Edict/Amendment A (B): Whatever I want my edict to say.
A would be the number of the session (1 for first and so on) and B would be the number of the edict in that particular session.
Gaspard de Neufville, still bruised from the recent tournament, rose to address the assembled council.
"Bons messieurs, I wish to bring to your attention the matter of the Comte de Flandres. For centuries the comte has proven lax in his obligations and duties to our roi. Indeed, but nine years ago, the current comte defeated the forces sent by our roi to bring him to heel.
Not only has the Flemish comte proved a thorn in our kingdom's side, they are also becoming more influence by the Norman Roi de L'Angleterre. Such a situation cannot be tolerated.
I therefore humbly propose that his higness, Roi Philippe, commission an reasonable army to march upon Flandres and replace the comte with one more loyal.
I offer myself to lead the expedition, having had past experience of military campaigns, and would gladly restore Flandres to Francia.
Gaspard resumes his seat.
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"Oh, how I wish we could have just one Diet session where the Austrians didn't spend the entire time complaining about something." Fredericus von Hamburg
Hermant enters the Council chambers, admiring for the first time the opulence of their display. Scarcely pausing to settle on a bench, he rises to speak:
"Your Majesty the King, his Royal Highness the Prince and our noble Dukes, there is one question above all that we must debate - which of you will lead us?
The King has called forth noblemen from across France and with their collective energy, it is clear that we can accomplish great things. And France, for all the opulence of our present surrounds, cries out for action to restore it to its proper place in Europe. But who will marshall our energies? Who will direct our actions? Who will lead France to greatness?
The King has right of first refusal to the office of Seneschal, but I believe he may be too preoccupied with other matters of state to undertake the detailed work of administration that the office requires. If my belief is wrong, I apologise but would urge him to publicly correct me on my error and to come forward to inform us on his plans for the coming term.
But if, as I believe to be the case, we are to have a public contest for the post of Seneschal, I would urge candidates to come forth and state their manifestoes. If they wait to stand until the Council session is almost done, they will lose all chance to direct our discussions in the direction they wish the Kingdom to go and they will risk being mere secretaries, performing actions that we have mandated. And, for our part, we will lose the chance to question the candidates and see them openly debate with their rivals."
Gaspard de Neufville, hearing the words of Hermant Mauvoisin, stands to address the conseil.
"Bons messieurs, I am reluctant to take this step, seeing I myself am but a chevalier, and not one of the four Ducs of the Regnum Francorum.
However, I believe that I am one of the more experienced men of war here among the assembly gathered here at this moment, and so will step forward and offer myself to his highness, Philippe, Roi de la Franks, to serve in the office of Seneschal.
I have heard in my brief stay in Paris the many complaints from the nobility of the presence of the Normans in our lands. Currently, the Duchie de Bretagne is cut off from the rest of the Regnum by Norman-held Aquitaine, Anjou, and Normandie herself.
Also, as I have mentioned earlier, the Comte de Flandres stands defiant against Philippe's rule.
So it is quite clear that the majority of the conseil desires war, and if our roi wishes it, then I will prosecute it to its fullest extent.
I therefore propose that we concentrate on reducing Normandie and Flandres first, before beginning the reduction of Anjou and Aquitaine.
The reasoning is that seizing the important city of Caen will immediately restore a safe passage to Bretagne, allowing trade and communications between that land and the royal demesne. Caen is also the gravest threat to the security of our roi, and securing it will prove to be a sure bastion to Paris.
Reducing Flandres is important, lest the renegade Comte turn to the Holy Roman Empire and seek her protection, thus preventing us from restoring it to Frankish rule.
I must urge caution, however. Our armies are not well equipped, and it will take time to raise levies and experienced veterans do not emerge overnight.
I therefore put my case before the assembled conseil."
Gaspard bows, and resumes his seat.
Last edited by Ignoramus; 08-05-2009 at 13:36.
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***
"Oh, how I wish we could have just one Diet session where the Austrians didn't spend the entire time complaining about something." Fredericus von Hamburg
Well, war with England is one thing. We all know it's coming. We've fought them in the past and most likely in the future. We cannot suffer our Kingdom to be split as it is now.
However, not to be a wet blanket. . .war with England is one thing, but what happens when the Pope commands us to stop warring with a fellow Catholic nation under pain of excommunication? I can see it now, our armies on the march, castles besieged, victory speeches written and then that dreaded message comes. When threatened with excommunication would we withdraw? Would we stop the war?
While our relations with the Holy See are not as miserable as the Germans', the Pope will quickly command an end to any offensive action against England. What do we want more, war with the English or to stay within the Church?
Now, with some preperation, we could have both. But it would require a bit of patience. Perhaps not one of our strengths. Before we can launch an effective and prolonged war against the English, we need to improve our standing within the Church. We could also goad the English into war and then fight a defensive campaign against them, setting them up as the aggressors in the eyes of the Pope. If they are excommunicated, then all bets are off. Though, this would require time as well.
It's a bit of a pickle, no doubt, but we need to tread carefully.
The discussions in the Conseil are suddenly cut short by a blast of trumpets that almost deafen those standing near the gates. A herald in the livery of the King steps in and makes an announcement in a stentorous voice.
"Nobles du Royaume de France, saluez votre Roi !! Philippe 1er, Roi des Francs !!"
He then switftly steps aside and bows deferentially to the powerful figure that strides into the room.
The King is dressed in a blue silken bliaud embroidered with lilies worked in silver thread and wears a cape of darkest blue with a white fur collar. His fingers are laden with several rings and a heavy necklace of gold chains.
But for all this finery, one cannot but get an impression of power that radiates from the man. A searching look on a severe face scans the room as the king crosses the raised dais where le Trône de France is set up.
Unfastening his cape, he drapes it on the backrest of the chair and then turns to the assembled lords, all bowed before him.
"Mes seigneurs, levez-vous devant votre roi et recevez sa bénédiction"
"As we all know, France is mine by divine mandate to rule, Dieu merci, but I have come to the conclusion that in these dire times, I will surely need all the help I can get, et ce avec l'aide de Dieu."
"This is the reason I have called upon you to sit on this Conseil and make your vocices heard as to how France is to be governed in the years to come."
"I'm glad to see so many young faces among the lot of you, that makes me confident in the future of the Franks. I'm also glad to see that so many of our old warriors are there also to lead the way and teach our younger sons les voies de la guerre, de la chevalerie et de l'honneur."
"I also wish to congratulate all of you that took part in the tournoi, for that was a fine episode of sportsmanship, and I believe me I know what it is like. Matters of state have kept me from joining but I've been a avid watcher of your exploits on the field.
Mes félicitations au Duc de Rohan... It seems that even at his young age, he's managed l'art de la guerre even if it is in some unorthodox way... It must come from fighting off the English brigands that are the scourge of our lands, of which la Bretagne is in the frontline.
I hope the gift from the Royal Stables have all been to your taste and that the court doctors I ordered sent to the field have been able to bleed you all as needed.
A mumbled reply comes from the assembly.
"I know what all of you want to hear : that we are going to wage war et bouter l'anglais hors de France.
But that will have to wait. Our treasury has suffered from all these years of war and the costs of another war woudl ruin us. In that spirit, only last year, I concluded a trade agreement with my cousin William which acts as a sort of truce between us.
France is in shambles, our cities stink, our peasants are famished, bands of marauders scour the land... All this must stop...
I will not suffer the peasantry of France to die while her nobles go fight for glory, plunder and pleasure abroad, be it to bring back into the fold provinces that rightfully should belong to my crown.
Hence I wish to put forth before this assembly an Edict that will prevent our landowners from levying troops until the bare necessities for the survival of our countrymen have not built.
Edict 1.1 : No recruitment of any kind will be allowed in towns or castles that do not have at least a small church or chapel and either farms (OOC : lvl 1) or a grain exchange.
For I will not tolerate our countrymen to die of hunger while we fight off the threat of the Englishmen nor will I tolerate our soldiers to die without a priest to give them the last rites.
This said, I will leave la gouvernance du Royaume entre vos mains in the years to come.
My advisory council has had word from our network of spies that the Allemands had plans to march on Metz, which is still unaligned. I hope that the Seneschal that will be appointed from among your number will find the means to beat them to the post and had Metz to the Realm. About 2500 florins should be recouped should we succeed. (OOC : Mission from the Council of Nobles)
Le comte de Flandres should also be made to see the light and know that it shines brightest in France.
I exhort all our valiant men to pursue those goals in the years to come. For we must gather our forces and taunt the English to attack us, casting them in the role of villains in the eyes of all Christendom.
Speaking of Christendom, France has always been the prefered child of the Church and I intend that it remains so. In that respect, and as a show of respect to the Pope in Rome, I will ask my daughter to go to Rome and present our respect to Sa Sainteté.
Once those good graces are obtained, we will fall upon the aggressors of France like a falcon on a rabbit bringing violent and unexpected death.
Pour la France, mes Seigneurs !! Pour le Roi !!
Philippe remains standing awaiting the reactions of the assembly.
Last edited by _Tristan_; 08-05-2009 at 15:42.
King Baldwin the Tyrant, King of Jerusalem, Warden of the Holy Sepulchre, Slayer of Sultans in the Crusades Hotseat (new write-up here and previous write-up here) Methodios Tagaris, Caesar and Rebelin LotR Mexica Sunrise: An AztecAAR
The King makes his entry into the Conseil chambers.
"Sa majesté le Roi !!" cries the Herald.
Salutation, mes seigneurs
I wish to congratulate Duc Alain de Rohan for his election to the position of Senechal.
I'm sure the Kingdom will be well led in the seasons to come under such a guidance.
I hope Duc Raymond is not too disappointed. This election was not a judgment on his abilities but simply a statement of the collective will of the majority of your peers.
Lastly, I wish to you all the best of luck in the endeavours of the next few years, which I think will see our swords get bloodied.
King Baldwin the Tyrant, King of Jerusalem, Warden of the Holy Sepulchre, Slayer of Sultans in the Crusades Hotseat (new write-up here and previous write-up here) Methodios Tagaris, Caesar and Rebelin LotR Mexica Sunrise: An AztecAAR
I'm glad that most of our proposed legislation has been adopted.
As to the Crusade proposal, though it failed, I'm sure it was only because it has been proposed too early.
Let's discuss the matter with Sa Sainteté and bring him to support us in this.
King Baldwin the Tyrant, King of Jerusalem, Warden of the Holy Sepulchre, Slayer of Sultans in the Crusades Hotseat (new write-up here and previous write-up here) Methodios Tagaris, Caesar and Rebelin LotR Mexica Sunrise: An AztecAAR
I join you in congratulating Duke de Rohan and I concur Mon Pere, that there is time yet to see the Crusade win support from the nobility of France, upholders of the code of Chivalry. Indeed, just because the Edict did not pass does not mean we can't find ourselves in position sometime within Duke de Rohan's term to begin preparations for it, especially if the Pope looks fondly on our ambition.
Now, too, we will see the worth of William's word. I pray that he shows your truce the same respect the men of France owe it!
Before I depart for the south I invite all Tournament participants to drink on my florin at the Tavern one last time. May God grant you victory and valor in the fields of battle as you showed on the field in Paris!
Alain stands, bowing formally to the King and Dauphin, he seems a little embarassed.
He turns to Duc Raymond.
"My Lord Duc, firstly let me say it was an 'onour and a priviledge to compete against you, not only in ze tournament but also 'ere for ze position of Senechal."
He now addresses the chamber in general.
"My Lords, I zank you for your support and faith in me. I am sure we will see and experience many zings in ze next ten seasons and zat by ze end of my term we will 'ave achieved much."
Take note and send this message post-haste to the "Captain" of the Ordre de la Fleur de Lys.
The scribe quickly sets to writing, while the King dictates.
Sieur de Rethel,
Captain,
I had hoped your Order would be more respectful of my orders. Your orders were to meet me on the march to Bruges, not to lay siege to that city.
Don't you think that if I had wished to see Bruges under siege it would have been ? (OOC : Philippe had enough movement left to do it)
I have been negociating with some parties in the city and to do this, I need them to be able to come and go at will, which your current siege is preventing.
So I will ask you to break the siege at once. Or I will relieve you of your command and do it myself. I will also ask you to join me at the earliest opportunity to fill the ranks of the Royaume's army under my command.
I hope you will serve me better in years to come.
Par la Grâce de Dieu,
Philippe
Roi des Francs
The scribe stopped writing. He quickly rolled the parchment and put a seal of wax. He then presented the rolled-up parchment to Philippe, which quickly applied his seal before returning the parchment.
Send it with the fastest courier you can find and hurry.
The scribe almost ran out of the chamber, if only to be outof reach of Philippe's wrath.
King Baldwin the Tyrant, King of Jerusalem, Warden of the Holy Sepulchre, Slayer of Sultans in the Crusades Hotseat (new write-up here and previous write-up here) Methodios Tagaris, Caesar and Rebelin LotR Mexica Sunrise: An AztecAAR
"Seneschal! The true colours of the Order are blue with the golden fleur de lys, same as His Majesty Our King! If you cleave any of us, you will find we bleed true with the same colours and die with the word "France" on our lips.
I regret that there has been a miscommunication with the King over the drive on Bruges, but such things happen in war. For our part, we will strive to coordinate better with the army commanders we support. For your part, we would ask for a little charity. We are young, Duc, and are learning. We all must start somewhere, whether it be as lowly knights in service of our King or as great Seneschals."
Hermant bows courteously at the Seneschal and sits down promptly.
Your majesty, nobles of France, Seneschal: Forgive my lateness for saying so, but I would like to congratulate Duc Alain de Rohan for his victory in the election. I look forward to seeing a stronger France in the coming years.
A herald arrives at the conseil with a hurried missive from Gontran de Linars. The herald presents the missive to the presiding noble, bows, and hurries away.
[OOC: My arms are so tired it's hard to type. Bear with me here .]
The missive reads:
Gentlemen, scholars, and warriors of blessed France. We are at war with our savage yet determined cousins to the East. Our Roi's love of the decedents of Clovis is such that he could not let the drunken, sausage eating savages defile our lands or mother Church. As steward of our only castle I will do my best to ensure we possess the military might to defeat this threat.
It's true that we have many valiant and noble knights. Our knights and their companions may be enough to carry the day on their own. But at what cost? I fear many noble lives will be lost in the process. Brothers, rely on us as the bastion of chivalry in France. We will provide you with the fleetest and noblest horse dans le monde. For while our enemy is fierce on foot, we are unbeatable in the saddle.
WE RIDE TO WAR!
At the end lies a heavily flourished
Gontran de Linars, steward of Touluse, vassal of Prince Louis de Aquitaine, humble servant au Roi, and loyal patron of mother Church.
Reinvent the British and you get a global finance center, edible food and better service. Reinvent the French and you may just get more Germans.
Hugues face blanches white as he hears of the newly declared war.
Mon Dieu! I had thought this day would come eventually, but not so soon.
The Duc spares a glance for Christophe.
Oh yes, I convinced le Roi to declare war so I could conquer the Reich with my mighty four company army. For Lorraine, at least, the timing of this declaration puts us in a bit of a pickle.
Hugues looks like he might say more on the matter, but he glances at the empty throne and then Hermant and holds his tongue.
I must gather my men and see to my Duchy. To arms!
Gaspard, again in Paris, rises, visibly shocked at the news.
"We are at war with our brethren to the east? Mon Dieu have mercy upon us!"
Turning to towards the Conseil, he begins to speak.
"I do hope la Roi knows what he is doing. I do not dispute the insult of them swarming around Champagne, but I fear we will be bested in this conflict. Should the Normans declare war upon us, we will be in grave trouble.
Nevertheless, I will make ready mon retainers, and will march with the Order to defend Lorraine."
Gaspard rushes out of the Conseil.
Last edited by Ignoramus; 08-25-2009 at 09:19.
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"Oh, how I wish we could have just one Diet session where the Austrians didn't spend the entire time complaining about something." Fredericus von Hamburg
The King has stated that there is a traitor in France. This is a serious charge and must receive our utmost attention. If this traitor was capable of getting hundreds of Germans to a secret meeting of the King, he is more than capable of mounting another attempt on the life of our Most Glorious Philippe. Those who ignore this most serious of charges are either irresponsible or traitorous themselves.
I find it curious that Mauvoisin, of all people, appears eager for war and unconcerned about the traitor. Tell me Mauvousin, is your chivalry simply a convenience for you, or do you perhaps know something that I do not?
Melbourne, Australia (but born and bred in Germany)
Posts
1,279
Re: Conseil du Royaume
Come and see the violence inherent in the system...Seigneurs I believe we have just been turned from a body with some, albeit limited legislative power to the insignificant audience in a Capetin puppet play.
Not only that, but we have not even been offered the dignity of an explanation, let alone a justification. It is a good thing too, that our brave Kings are appointed by God himself, lest we start to question their sanity and fitness to hold power.
Of course, perhaps such divine providence is less strong than we might think. After all, did not Guillaume of England and a succession of German Kaisers make similar claims, only to find themselves swiftly excommunicated and at the wrong side of a coffin.
But of course, such things could not happen to Philipe the Honourable, mighty ruler of the mighty Franks. His providence, worldly or divine is beyond question. So if I may, I will take my seat and enjoy the show.
Saruman the White
Chief of the White Council, Lord of Isengard, Protector of Dunland
Louis absorbs the implications of the veto silently before announcing,
Mon Roi it was not necessary to veto a measure I proposed, had you but asked I would have withdrawn it. To those who would complain I point out that this power was granted the King as a part of the foundation of this body; his mandate to veto underlies and empowers our own mandate to propose law. The two cannot be split without irreparable harm to both.
This is not an auspicious beginning. The King is within his rights to veto legislation. However, as with his announcement of his taking the office of Seneschal, I wish it had been done in a more timely fashion.
I also would have liked an explanation rather than a terse statement by a minor functionary (OOC: Hi Zim! )
With such a interesting beginning to his Majesty's term, I'm sure the Conseil will have to be vigilant for the rest of it.
Conseil du Royaume
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Originally Posted by Evil_Maniac From Mars
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