Conseil du Royaume

[Ignoramus]

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.

[OverKnight]

Hugues speaks.

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.

[Ramses II CP]

Prince Louis scoffs when de Neufville announces his candidacy,

"You are not eligible to hold the position of Seneschal. Withdraw your candidacy according to the laws of our land and return to your place.

I will further warn all present; do not to presume to speak of the King's intentions. If he has something to communicate he will do so, but to speak as though you know or can guess his mind is an insult and it will not be tolerated. The royalty of France are favored by God to hold their positions, none more so than our King, and it is ill advised to speak casually of them.

Now, to the English! Why speak of war when it is mere sport, hunting down errant dogs who have the temerity to trouble our lands. War would require a formal declaration. Is such truly our course on this day?

Finally I wish to publically congratulate the victors in the Royal Tournament! Many a well struck blow landed, and honor should be done to all who participated!"

[AussieGiant]

Duc Alain proceeds into the great chamber, his great poodle Medoc is now a brilliant baby blue hue and its hair is cut in such a way as to accentuate its head and tail.

His fitted chain mail armour is covered in a vest of black and white with red piping. At his side sits a long sword of fine quality.

Bowing with a fluid grace towards the King, the Prince and finally the assembled nobles he places his plumed helm on the Bretagne bench before walking some ways into the chambers centre.

"My Lords, Dukes of ze Realm, My Prince, Your Royal Highness.

It seems obvious zat reuniting ze kingdom from Norman 'ands should be our first priority. ‘owever I will defer to King Philippe that at ze present time we will build our strength and deal with those provinces controlled by bandits and rebels.

'owever for ze record and in my opinion, Caen and Bordeaux must be liberated as soon as possible.

I know I speak from a subjective point of view given the position of Bretagne, but I hope all nobles 'ere can see ze sense of it.

In addition, I agree wiz ze King and ze Duc de Champagne, ze only way to do zis is by building enough strength to attack quickly and decisively, lest we incur the rather of our most holy Pope. Patience is needed in ze first instance unless our enemies present a target of opportunity.

I would petition ze King and Prince now to let Bretagne take both Caen and Bordeaux if and when we decide to unite ze realm. This is merely because ze Duchy 'as no natural ability to expand once zis is completed.

And of course I will greatly treasure ze Black Stallion zat you have gifted me from ze royal stables your majesty. I 'ave yet to name 'im but it will be appropriate I can assure you."

[_Tristan_]

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.

[Andres]

Thierry slowly stands up and bows for the King.

Seigneur, before all, I would like to thank you for your kind words adressed to the Council. I promise I will serve you and the Royaume as best as I can.

Thierry gets up, pauses and takes a deep breath. He seems a bit nervous.

Allthough I see the wisdom in building up our Kingdom before going to war against a foreign nation, I see one problem with the Edict you propose.

It is possible that the English can't wait to wage war against us. Or another foreign nation, for that matter. What if the English would break the current precious cease-fire? Your Edict, as proposed, would mean that we cannot use our full potential to recruit soldiers to defend ourselves!

I would therefore suggest that you rephrase the Edict like this:


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.
However, if a foreign nation (OOC: "Rebels" do not qualify as "foreign nation")would declare war or would commit an act of war agains the Royaume of France, the current Edict will become null and void and there will be no restrictions on recruitment until all wars with foreign nations are ended.

Thierry sits down again, a bit nervous and apparently impressed by the appearance of the King.

[KnightnDay]

Thomas de Saint-Amand rises to address the king. "Majesty, I too share your desire to secure Metz at the first opportunity."


Thomas bowed, then turned to the other counsel members assembled.
"Knights and nobility of the Franks, I hear the cries for securing those areas held by the English, but I maintain the capture of Metz must be of the highest priority. At this very moment, our Master Spy, Aubert Fevre, only needs our word to infiltrate the castle. With his assistance and 1520 florins to raise the mercenary crossbow and spear companies, we can secure Metz this very season. The reward of 2500 florins will immediately pay the entire cost of the venture and still return a handsome reward to the treasury."

"Make no mistake, my friends. The Kaiser has his eyes firmly fixed on Metz. If it falls to the empire, the Germans will occupy a bastion from which the Reich can threaten us at any moment with armies far greater than any the English will ever threaten us with. For the sake of our security both present and future, I ask the blessing of those assembled to advance an edict to move against Metz without delay."

Thomas then takes his seat, hoping the others will take note of his words.

[Ramses II CP]

Prince Louis immediately stands and declaims,

"I second edict 1.1!

As for our truce with the Bastard... if the King wills it, then I will it also! Let us turn our attention to the petty rebels that trouble our countryside. In that mind I propose the following:

Edict 1.2: Brigandry is is not to be tolerated, and as such all rebel settlements bordering the nation of France are to be brought under her rule.

God willing this will secure for us the funds necessary to prosecute our eventual reclamation of our lands."

[Ramses II CP]

The Prince, sorting out the further debate, continues,

"Duke de Rohan it is unseemly to press your case for lands that the King has just declared we will not seek to retake. I encourage you to withdraw your claim. I suggest the two of us discuss the status of Bordeaux in private rather than before all this rabb... which is to say, waste the time of these noblemen."

[AussieGiant]

Standing from his seat, Alain bows to the Prince from the Bretagne bench.

"As you wish Dauphine.

My Duchy is isolated, and we are threatened severely. Removing ze threat is ze only course of action I can see.

We can discuss zis at a later time as you wish."

[TinCow]

Christophe de Perronne sits quietly, listening to the discussions and nodding briefly whenever Prince Louis speaks. However, upon hearing the mention of "brigandry" in the Prince's proposed Edict, he freezes in place and glaces around the room, warily. After a few moments of silent contempation, he speaks.

I second Edict 1.2.

[_Tristan_]

I second Edict 1.2

I also second the rewording of my Edict by le Sieur de Rochefort.

Better be safe than sorry, as they say Outre-Manche.

Now, which of our Dukes will run for the ppsition of Seneschal du Royaume de France ?

Philippe scans the ranks of the Dukes.

[Andres]

Thierry raises again.

Gentlemen, it seems like you are all assuming that the English will patiently wait while we conquer rebel settlements.

I can see the wisdom in building up our Kingdom and only attack when we are strong enough, but what if the English decide to attack first?

Should we not at least be able to recruit troops in case the English decide to violate the current truce? I strongly recommend to rephrase Edict 1.1. as I proposed.