Conseil du Royaume

[_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.