Conseil du Royaume

[AussieGiant]

The neck cracks again

"Are you 'ard of 'earing de Montpierre?

I did not "leave" my vassals in Wales. Ze orderly withdrawal of forces began last term BEFORE any deal was struck and given ze space available in ze ships AND ze need for someone to govern Caernarvon until it was 'anded over, Le Seuer and de Rochefort remained!!

I do not dislike ze Order based on its principles de Montpierre, but observing consistent, obvious and transparent pandering for favour in the face of duty and ze safety of fellow nobles is where I draw ze line. Especially when zoses nobles are from Bretagne!!

It might become clear if you were to observe ze actions of the Duc's of zis realm in context to ze Orders own over ze last decade or so.

You have been granted Antwerp, which is realistically ze only place zat can support Frankfurt and defend our entire norzern border, but what seems to be ze aim of ze order is for all current serving members to pack zere bags and ride towards glory at ze expense of all ozer duty.

Ze Seneschal 'as outlined a list of extremely pertinent issues which seems to be tertiary considerations at best to various people in zis room."

[Ituralde]

Well obviously you haven't listened to everything that has been said by me or His Highness Henri or Brother Hermant for that matter... Frankfurt will not suffer from this Crusade and remain perfectly safe. Are we clear on this matter Duc de Rohan?

Because I am and I will not tolerate you suggesting the opposite time and again.

Concerning the fears of our Seneshal.

His first point is important. The zeal of a Crusade can often lead to many men joining such a cause. Men who would need pay once a Crusade is finished. The Seneshal has a better overview over the finances of the Kingdom so I would trust his judgement on this. If he deems it necessary we would need legislation that forces the disbandment of any Crusaders once our goal is reached.
To the increased cost of new provinces. Once again I do not know whether new tax income would outweigh the cost of garrisons. My plan does not propose any land grab other than those necessary to defeat King William.

The second point is equally important. I have asked in this chamber for those nobles who wish to join the Crusade to step forward. None did. Maybe more would be forthcoming now. I already said that the Order would join this endeavour. This does not mean every Noble of the Order. The exact number will have to be determined among our Brother Knights in regards to the safety of the German border.
The Seneshal voices his fear that staying behind will be unpopular. Should no one want to stay I will personally stay behind to ensure the Order can fulfill its duties.

The third point I have also adressed. Strike at London to depose William. Reconcile with his successor and make the most profit out of London should it fall in our hands.

Thos are my stances on the matters. What are yours? Besides complaining about my speech you have not been very forthcoming on how the House of Bretagne stands on these matters? I would be honoured to fight alongside you should we both find ourselves joining the Crusade.

[econ21]

My Lords, peace. This is a time for the country to rally around the flag, not to start feuds. The Order will not act without consideration of Bretagne or of its nobles in Wales. In fact, to date, the Order has never acted alone - to date, it has only followed the King's will. If such fealty is interpreted as pandering for favour, so be it.

Let us not rake over the past or stirr up flames of petty resentments, the issue before us is the crusade. Duc Hugue's man is right - it will require careful debate and skilful execution, because of the presence of our men in Wales and the other issues he raises. I confess I am somewhat surprised that he proposes to resolve these issues by calling an emergency session. There is a danger that by deferring these issues to the Conseil, we will make the crusade into a camel rather than a warhorse. But given the passions at work, I can see some virtue in an emergency session if it will allow us to reach a collective agreement.

What I would ultimately propose, emergency session or not, is that we empower the Seneschal to coordinate any crusade we call. We have elected a man to implement the will of the Conseil and to coordinate our activities - we should have the faith to allow him to do so. I would invite the Seneschal to propose a plan of action, rather than first endure listening to two dozen other plans, all vying for support.

[AussieGiant]

Bowing formally to de Montpierre and Mauvoisin, there is no crack of the neck.

Excellent de Montpierre, I am more zan 'appy wiz your reasoning now zat you 'ave stated it 'ere for ze record. You are ze Captain of ze Order so it is you and only you I will listen to regarding ze current policy of ze Order. Zat is fitting for your station and authority. What 'is Majesty, ze Prince or Hermant says is but an opinion amongst ze many ze Order 'as. My most sincere apologies if my mean was not clear before'and.

I am also 'appy to see Ser Hermant taking a more considered approach and I certainly agree zat ze Seneschal is ze man for ze job.

As for Bretagne zen ze stance is clear. We were instrumental in taking exactly what was given must certainly include nobles from ze Duchy.

I would still prefer zat we march a Crusade on ze Islamic horde and not on our own backyard where we can simply use a quick war to achieve our aims. Ze excommunication of ze English is but a passing phase, while ze heretical Moors are forever damned.

What are you zoughts on zis position de Montpierre?

Alain also leaves a questioning gaze on the King for a moment.

[Ituralde]

Unfortunately I was called away during the first Council Session where this Moorish Crusade was discussed at length so I'm not sure about the detail. In principle, and as a pious Christian I can understand a yearning to support the Christian Kingdoms in the South and bring salvation to the populace of Iberia. To that effect I have proposed the Edict that asks for our priests to convert in Cordoba. While being a far smaller step than a Crusade I see it as a good first one. Should other steps be necessary, well I think I have made my stance on religious matters quite clear.

But this is neither here nor there, we have more pressing matters which probably is the reason why the Edict of the first Council failed in the first place.

[econ21]

Hermant rises cautiously, holding a piece of paper with notes he has been scribbling, bowing to his Captain and Duc Alain.

Duc Alain, forgive me, but your logic could be inverted. Yes, there will forever be Moors - unless de Xaintrailles is given power to butcher them all - and the English excommunication is likely to be merely passing. But this contrast tells for a crusade on the English rather than the Moors. There is no urgency in declaring a crusade against the Moors now. Declaring a crusade against the English now need not prevent us declaring one against the Moors under the next Seneschal, if that is desired. By contrast, England's excommunication provides us an opportunity to turn the tables on the usurpers now. It it unlikely that we will have such an opportunity again in ten or twenty seasons.

My Lords, the King has made his intention clear - he intends to obtain the support of the Pope to crusade on England. It is also clear that there is strong support in this Conseil for declaring war on England, outcast as she is from the Church and usurper as she is of holdings in France. There are one or two voices calling for a crusade on the Moors instead of England, but I find it hard to believe they would carry the day in a vote of all the Conseil. I submit that we should focus instead on how to implement the King's wishes while considering the practical points raised by the office of the Seneschal.

I suggest an agreement along the following lines. The details and wording could be amended; it could be formally voted in an Emergency session or not; it matters little. But the Seneschal has asked for us to be practical, so here is a start. In broad terms, I would suggest:

1. The Conseil authorises the Seneschal to declare war on England and petition Rome for a crusade to be called on London.

2. All nobles wishing to go on crusade must declare that intention and march to Paris, where the Seneschal will organise them into crusading armies under the overall command of the King. [OOC: only the Seneschal puts armies into crusade mode; crusaders have to modify their standing orders to reflect the armies they are assigned to.]

3. The timing of the declaration of war and the crusade will be decided by the Seneschal, with a mind to the safety of our countrymen in Wales.

4. When the time comes to storm London, all crusading nobles will join the King in storming the settlement. [OOC: we create a stack that includes all crusading avatars so they all share the traits gained.]

5. All troops who rally to the crusade will be regarded as soldiers of France and after the crusade is successful will be either disbanded or gifted to specific army commands as the Seneschal sees fit.

I believe this kind of agreement would meet most of the concerns expressed at the Conseil and implement the King's wishes in an ordered, coordinated fashion.

It would give all men who wish to fight in this holy cause the freedom to do so, but give the Seneschal the authority to organise them into proper formations.

It would give the King his rightful place as commander of the crusade and of the final assault on the London, but it would alllow all who wished to be at his side the honour of such a position.

Given the exposed situation of our men in Wales, some care must be taken over the timing of the crusade and the above would allow the Seneschal, as the man best placed to do so, the power to coordinate this.

The fifth point would address the Seneschal's concerns about the financial legacy of the crusade and the reward given to those left behind by the crusade - men raised on the crusade could be disbanded or given to those who held the frontiers with depleted forces.

[AussieGiant]

There is no crack of the neck and Medoc is a brilliant shade of indigo today.

"Zat would seem in order Ser Hermant.

I would like to state zat while we are in good standing wiz ze Pope, it will seem entirely clear to ozer Kingdoms zat we are in fact using a Crusade for our own benefit. Somezing I am sure ozer Marshal Orders and Kingdoms will shove down our throats in future.

We are being opportunistic, let not drape it in too much religious zeal and chivalry, I do not zink I could stomach it any furzer."

Alain is handed a note by his retainer.

"I am 'appy to inform ze Council zat le Sueur and de Rochefort are now on zeir way to Bruges. So far wizout incident. In a few more seasons zey will be safely near French territory."

[econ21]

Hermant rises, almost sadly.

Duc Alain, each man has his own motives and he at least should be true to himself. But unless we can look into another's soul, I would not be quick to judge the motives of another.

For my part, I am a simple soldier and if the enemy of my people, of my God, provides me with an opportunity, I will take it.

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

Yvon leans back in his seat, looking mildly bored.


crusade, war, as long as we are in agreement that we are kicking the English out of our land then I care very little what it is called. We should all realize however, that this is not a true holy war, even if called as such. We are not fighting heathens, we are fighting other Catholics who find themselves out of the popes favor. Something I must remind you all, we were very close to ourselves. Does this make me want to butcher them any less? Not in the slightest. In fact, I have a very big itch to butcher something after my long sits in Marseilles.

[TinCow]

Christophe grins and nods respectfully at Yvon.

[Ramses II CP]

I second the call for an Emergency session!

Also I propose Emergency Edict x.0 (OOC: Numbering for an emergency session?):

War shall be declared upon the Kingdom of England immediately. All provinces conquered in this war shall be considered ratified at the time of conquest.

Furthermore House Aquitaine will not request any mercenaries for this war. Our own recruitment capabilities are sufficient. Following the inevitable capture of Bordeaux I will also commit myself to a reassessment of the necessity of the two companies of mercenary spearmen I hold contract with currently.

I also petition the King to release the soldiers from Valencia to the command of Raynaud de Xaintrailles for the retaking of that castle.

This will be a glorious war either way. I personally care little whether we march under the banner of Christ to punish a heretical King or under the banner of Justice to reclaim our stolen land, so long as we MARCH TO WAR!

Louis shouts the last at the top of his lungs.