Conseil du Royaume

**_Tristan_** · 08-06-2009, 16:08

Mes seigneurs, I have heard not a few concerns raised by the good people of Bretagne as to their isolation and the fact that the English are like a legendary Damocles' sword above their heads.

I can understand this concern as I do not trust my cousin William one bit. However, I know him to be a greedy bastard, if you will allow me, and I may have a solution that would satisfy both parties.

What I suggest is for our elected Seneschal to enter into negociations with my cousin over the price he would deem reasonable to deliver Angers into French hands. Cela ferait d'une pierre deux coups (OOC : kill two birds with one stone).

One, it would clear the way between Bretagne and the rest of the Kingdom, preventing the English from cutting our supply routes. I agree that right now, Bretagne is almost in a state of siege and what I propose may be the solutiion to this dilemma.

Second, it would cut the English own supply routes, forcing them to use the sea lanes to bring reinformement to Bordeaux, a much more expensive and time-consuming way than simply have them cross the Channel and walk our countryside to Aquitaine. Thus, Bordeaux would be easier pickings in a few years time.

I do not yet know if the greed of my cousin will exceed our meager resources but I think this plan is worth a try, the more so if we manage to claim Metz quickly and benefit from our barons' offer to contribute to the war effort (OOC : Coucil mission reward of 2500 florins). The offer could even be sweetened with an offer of alliance and be presented by Constance, my daughter before she makes her way to Rome.

What say you, mes vassaux ?

Also, while I do not want to bind the hands of our Seneschal, I wish that our soil be sanctified. I wish it to be the guiding light of Europe in showing the victory of the Vrai Foi. So, to make this dream real, I want priests to roam our lands far and wide, denouncing heretics whenever and wherever they find them, bringing the word of God to the smallest of villages in the remotest of valleys or mountains.

Hence, I propose the following legislation which is intended to go one step further than the Edict proposed by le Sieur de Montpierre, which showed true and pure intent but was rather limited in scope.

Amendment 1.1 : The maximum number of priests available at any time will have to be recruited by the appointed Seneschal at the time, provided enough funds are available. That recruitment shall be done prior to any other recruitment. This amendment can be temporarily suspended if all French settlements (home territory or conquests) are above 90% Catholic.

Furthermore, I wish our Royaume to create strong bonds with some of our neighbours and find allies and opportunities in all the known world. Our diplomats need be sent to the courts of all Kings, to create those bonds of friendship that will allow us to find help should we ever require it.

I intend notably to have our diplomat enter in negociations with the Spanish and Portuguese Kings and see if they would require our help in getting rid of the Moorish threat (OOC : military access and alliance), preparing for the Crusade that many among you have been requesting.

Hence I propose the following legislation :

Edict 1.7 : At least one diplomat will be recruited and sent to Spain and Portugal to negociate an alliance and military access.

**woad&fangs** · 08-06-2009, 17:27

Bertin is about to issue a retort to Prince Louis when he hears the Duc de Rohan and King Philip discuss hiring the mercenaries. Bertin sits down and shuffles some papers.

**ULC** · 08-06-2009, 18:49

Gaetan stands up and bows in the direction of King Philippe.

"My King, if you would hear me. I, and one other, can take Metz in full force, with no loss to the coffers of the Royaume, and once captured, part of Riems garrison can then occupy Metz for it's protection. The Mercenaries are not required, nor are siege engines of any kind. I can force the hand of the defenders of Metz, and then crush them upon an open field."

**GeneralHankerchief** · 08-06-2009, 20:02

Raynaud de Xaintrailles:

I must again stress the timeline of my proposed Edict. Under no circumstances will such an important mission as this be rushed. Should the Edict pass, then all that the Seneschal is to do for the great majority of his term is build up his forces. This can be accomplished easily, and allows plenty of time for the conquest of territories closer to home. I am quite confident that Duc Alain or whomever takes the position is competent enough to both consolidate our home regions while at the same time preparing for the Holy mission.

Indeed, should all go well, at the next Conseil session I will propose a follow-up Edict detailing an exact plan of attack. But for now, this is only a time of preparation.

**Cecil XIX** · 08-06-2009, 20:10

Finally, Duc Raymond enters the Conseil.

My King, my Prince and the Lords of France: I apologize for my late arrival. That said, allow me to make up for lost time.

I hereby announce my candidacy for Seneschal. It is honor to face Duc de Rohan in any contest, and this is know exception.

My goal for this term would be to achieve modest gains by bringing the Counts of Flanders and Champagne(OOC: I think that's what Metz's province is called), while setting in motion the infastructure developments that shall allow us to stand against the English. As it is my belief that such a war against a fellow Catholic nation is best waged with the support of his Holiness, I would make a point to build churches and recruit priests.

That being the case, I second both Amemdment 1.1 and Edict 1.7.

**Ituralde** · 08-06-2009, 20:24

I second Edit 1.7.

Charter Amendment 1.1 is a noble endeavour, but I think in our current situation it would hinder us too much. We know that we need to do several things at once to be successful, this Amendment would severly limit the liberty of the Seneshal. I think it would be better introduced at a later stage where our resources are not so thinly spread.

**Vladimir** · 08-06-2009, 20:51

Seigneours, Highness *

*

As a matter of protocol I propose the following edict:

Edict 1.8: The Kingdom of France shall immediately secure an alliance with the Kingdom of Scotland. A diplomat shall be hired immediately to secure this alliance. The diplomat shall remained in [adjacent] the Scottish capital for perpetuity.