Conseil du Royaume

[Ramses II CP]

A messenger brings a note bearing the seal of the Prince, a scribes reads it in a bored voice,

Oy chaps, matters are a bit messy down here. The Milanese and Sicilians have landed forces in Iberia, and a company of those bloody merchant's troops are marching through my countryside near Toulouse. Wonder if someone up that way could tell 'em to **** off? You know, diplomatically and all. Send Constance. She can do some shopping and get her hair primped while she's there, maybe shake that Englishman off her tail, eh?

Dear Seneschal I hope you're working on satisfying the King's edict for Toulouse in all haste. Going to need some men recruited soon.

God's blessing on all who've gone on campaign!

Louis

[OverKnight]

Hugues stands to speak after reading the Seneschal's report.

Wales?! Good God Duc Alain, I thought you were sailing to Ireland.

You are placing your head in the Lion's mouth.

While I would love to see the expression on William's face when he finds out, this may end poorly.

[AussieGiant]

Alain leans back in his chair after being handed a note.

He blanches white and proceeds to stoke Medoc's head in a slow distracted.

"Yes it would seem the English 'ave an impressive army 'eading my way.

Take a look at zat Hugues."

Alain passes the troop composition report to him from the Royal spy.

[Cecil XIX]

My lords.

First of all, I would like to congratulate the many lords who have succefully expanded the reach of the Kingdom. His highness the King, his majesty the Prince, the Duc de Lorraine, and the members of the Order have all fought well.

However, I am very alarmed to learn of the Swabian army encamped outside Rheims, much larger than the town's garrison! Although I could easily lead the garrison of Dijon to crush the reichlanders if they become hostile, let us open the floor to debate on how we should deal the the Germans.

I would say that unless we plan to attack them quickly, it may be prudent to build one or more forts on the border. We cannot allow the Duchy of Swabia to waltz about the Kingdom of the Franks as if it was theirs to claim!

[_Tristan_]

Let us not jump to conclusions concerning the Germans.

While I do not relish having foreign soldiers on French soil, and without our prior consent, these are not matters enough to enter into a prolonged conflict with our neighbours.

But should they but show the least intent to cause mischief, they'll bring down swift retaliation. Many of their cities and castles are within a season's march of our lands and though we cannot hope to hold them from our lack of men, we could still cause great harm by raiding them.

[_Tristan_]

A herald comes into the council and after a word with the Speaker, unfurls a parchment and makes an announcement.

Moi, Philippe, Roi de France, Hereby grant the ownership of the castle of Metz to the Maison de Lorraine.

Duc Hugues de Champagne is the rightful owner of the castle, to dispose of it as he sees fit.

Par la Grâce de Dieu
Philippe

The herald then furls back the parchment and deliver sit to the scribes to check the seal and enter it in the registers.

[OverKnight]

Hugues stands and speaks to the Herald.

Please give mon Roi my deepest thanks for this honor. Metz will become a bulwark of not only Lorraine but of the realm, with a bit of work of course. With these Germans prancing about, it might be needed sooner than we thought.

Now that the King has bestowed Metz to me, it's time to pass it farther down the line. I hereby name Bertin de Montsault as the first Baron of Metz. While all my vassals are worthy of the honor, he was the first to swear fealty to me, and he fought valiantly in the assault.

Again, my thanks to the King.