Conseil du Royaume

[AussieGiant]

Alain reacts visibly to the words of the King, though not obvious, the tightening of his features and a slight narrowing of the eyes can be seen to all.

He rises slightly from his seat at the news of the Princess, but quickly resumes his seat in an effort of control.

Finally he shakes his head slightly as Duc Hugues makes his announcement. As the Duc finishes his statement he rises slowly and says in a quite but clear voice.

"I would seem prudent to determine if de Neufville is able to run for ze position of Seneschal."

Glancing at the throne for a moment.

"We would not want any misunderstandings before proceeding on zis and other matters of state."

[Ituralde]

What misunderstandings? Why shouldn't he be qualified? He holds land given to him by the King. What other qualification does he need?

[AussieGiant]

Alain shakes his head with a rather incredulous look. He seems to be a little more animated than before, perhaps warming to the current topic, his accent thickening.

I seems quite incredible just how transparent ze Order of ze Fleur de Lys is, no?

Turning to Yvon he continues in a slightly condescending tone.

"I am sure my comments wont derail your man becoming ze next Seneschal.

Zis is just a small side show which perhaps provides a small bump in ze road to a preeminent position in ze Realm for ze Order.

You have ze ear of ze right man so...euh...zere is nozing to fear no?

I am simply asking how a province can be 'anded over before it is ratified.

Because...euh...Edict 2.1 'as not been passed, zerefore it is in ze King Demesne at zis time, no?

Or am I just being, 'ow you say..euh, 'inconvenient', no?

Of course I will pardon myself in advance if zis in not seen in a ze spirit of good will...euh, per'aps I 'ave been unduly influenced recently.

Again a glance a the throne.

Per'aps ze his most royal majesty, ze King of France, could make some comment for ze less enlightened nobles of ze realm, no?

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

Alain shakes his head with a rather incredulous look. He seems to be a little more animated than before, perhaps warming to the current topic, his accent thickening.

I seems quite incredible just how transparent ze Order of ze Fleur de Lys is, no?

Turning to Yvon he continues in a slightly condescending tone.

"I am sure my comments wont derail your man becoming ze next Seneschal.

Zis is just a small side show which perhaps provides a small bump in ze road to a preeminent position in ze Realm for ze Order.

You have ze ear of ze right man so...euh...zere is nozing to fear no?

I am simply asking how a province can be 'anded over before it is ratified.

Because...euh...Edict 2.1 'as not been passed, zerefore it is in ze King Demesne at zis time, no?

I am sorry, but have I become a member of the Order without me knowing? Perhaps you have mistaken for someone else Duc. I for one do not agree with some of the orders methods that is for sure, and so the comparison surely wounds me.


Yvon turns to the king

My King if that is what you believe I will follow you, however I am finding it hard to trust the shifty English with anything. I would be overjoyed if this diplomatic venue was successful, but I have some serious doubts.

[econ21]

Peace, Chevalier Yvon - has the standing of the Order fallen so low that to be falsely associated with us is regarded as wounding? For my part, I am grateful to the Duc of Bretagne for his service to the realm as Seneschal. And yes, Duc Alain, the Order is very transparent - we are an Order of Chivalry established to defend the Kingdom and serve the King. We do precisely that and no more.

I offer my commiserations to my Captain, Gaspard Neufville, and offer my apologies to him for my having been premature with regard to the Order's possession of Antwerp. Given the unanticipated legal technicality regrading the transfer of ownership, I would humbly request that both candidates for Seneschal regard Gaspard as the de facto governor of Antwerp if the transfer is ratified and the King grants Antwerp to the Order. If the King wishes to establish a military centre in the North, perhaps Antwerp would be suitable? I would urge Gaspard to communicate privately with the King on this matter.

I wish both His Majesty and the Duc of Lorraine all the best in their competition for the post of Seneschal.

[woad&fangs]

Bertin laughs at Hermant's words.

Antwerp!? A military centre?! Antwerp is a merchant town. It's residents are too soft and flabby to amount to anything in the field. I'll fight alongside the peasants of Metz a thousand times before I trust my life to some "knight" of Antwerp.

[OverKnight]

Hugues claps Bertin on the shoulder.

Now Baron, the Order must make do with what they have been given, as must we all.

Hugues looks about the chamber.

So, no questions for the Candidates? I'm a bit surprised. I would've thought someone would have raised the topic of a Moorish Crusade again. That was quite popular during the last session.

Or perhaps the topic of the stubborn Scots and their refusal of an alliance, "What's to be done about them?" I can imagine someone asking. And maybe they would have a clever follow up like, "And if we are to deal diplomatically with les Anglais, should we still push for an alliance that may drag us into war with them?"

But actually a question has been asked of one of the Candidates. It was just earlier before his Majesty decided to run.

May I suggest that chevalier Yvon be permitted some degree of forgiveness by his majesty for that last statement, because he does not, as put so aptly, know the specifics of this deal, concluded through most skilled and artful negotiation of the respectve crowns. Indeed, I do not. Does anyone share the confidence of his majesty as to what details are contained in this deal? Is our next diplomat merely delivering papers to be signed by your cousin or is there more to it than that?

. . .But I stray too far from my question. What specifically must happen in order for this deal to be struck with your cousin, sire?

Thomas walked around it a bit, I must admit, but it is a valid question.

Hugues turns to the King.

Your Majesty, what specifically, in lands, money and political agreements, will you offer England for Caen and Angers in Edict 2.4?

Your Majesty seems to have specifics in mind, since you were quite wroth at Duc Alain for not meeting your requirements.

Edit: I suppose I should restate my own answer to this one.

Also, if elected Seneschal, I would cede all diplomatic negotiations with the Anglais to the King. His Majesy knows them better than I. This way we would avoid. . .um. . .any misunderstandings.

If I knew what exactly the King would offer, I might place an upward limit, if the Conseil thought it wise, on what his Majesty could add as a sweetener if the English prove, once again, obstinate.

Oh, Reeves has posted an updated list of Legislation.

[_Tristan_]

The King raises his hand, abruptly stopping all debate around the chamber, as all eyes turn towards the dais.

Mes Seigneurs,

The land has been granted but it has not yet been ratified by the Conseil. So if this Conseil doesn't see fit to ratify it, I'm afraid the Order will be deprived of its land.

Moreover, the land not being officially part of the Royaume pending its annexation cannot be considered a valid enough basis to run for the position of Senechal.

It is not that I do not trust Sieur de Neufville to make a good job of it but I fear that founding his term as Senechal on such unstable foundations would sap his authority and credibility, something which I could not condone.

The position must be one of respect and authority, subject only to the greater authority of the King.

Duc Hugues, I congratulate you on your candidacy.

It seems you will compete against me then in the upcoming election ?

For I will run for the position of Senechal myself.

Some time ago, a very wise remark was made by the Duc de Lorraine, from whom I quote :

With respect, mon Roi, the only Seneschal whose performance would be completely satisfactory to your Majesty, would be, well, your Majesty.

Though that sounds like a truism, I cannot deny that it is full of good sense.

I have convened this body to help in the governance of the Royaume and to elect a man to second me and deal with the day to day burden of administering France.

I do not think that this has been an error, not yet but I should not impose such a burden on men not as well prepared as us Kings and Princes to deal with it. I had not planned for the Senechal to lead the country in times of war... I hadn't even planned to go to war... It has been forced upon us through the treachery of an unknown party and our duty to defend the Holy Father from his German agressors.

I should have convened an emergency session of the Conseil as the war started but I feared words would be less useful than actions and so prefered to ride against our assaillants, knowing that you would prove to France's enemies how strong its knights and soldiers could be when under attack.

But now, it is time for me to face my responsibilities as your sovereign and make every effort to stabilize the situation.
Hence, I will strive to bring peace to our Eastern border and will finalize the deal with William that will reunite Bretagne with the rest of the Royaume, bringing to an end its almost insular isolation. My own involvement as Senechal in negociating these treaties should add some weight and credibility to the negotiating table.

Should our German "brothers in God", for I dare not call them enemies wish to pursue their campaigns against us, they will find us resolute and prepared. Troops will be recruited to help defend our territory and if our coffers' fullness allow, I intend to make improvements to our provinces, mainly by specializing them. I intend notably to establish a second recruitment center in the North and make Bruges the leading trading center of France.

For all of this is my responsibility.

I hope you will give me your confidence in the coming term to lead us to the greater glory that Franks merit.