Conseil du Royaume

[KnightnDay]

Thomas rises and looks to Hugues and then to Louis. He then speaks.

"I wish to propose a compromise if possible. It hardly benefits our people if prince or seneschal are slain at these critical times."

Thomas then faces Louis.

"Dauphin, you have violated edict 2.8. Whether the king wants it enforced or not, the fact is his truce with Guillaume is not yet suspended, and by the edict the Seneschal has every right to carry out the prescribed actions. But your point is well taken, Aquitaine should not be endangered and any forces we might be on the verge of using against the English should not be diminished.

This is two times now you have placed your army in an unwise position. First at Bern where you were compelled to withdraw by the empire, and now in a position which violates a standing edict reflecting the will of the king and conseil. I suggest that action is called for against you and you alone.

My proposal for a compromise is this. First, the Seneschal will hold in abeyance the actions required of him under the terms of the edict 2.8 due to the unusual nature of present circumstances. He will take no action to disband your forces.

For your part, highness, you will agree to the following. You acknowledge you are in violation of the edict and agree to submit to disciplinary action. Specifically, you will agree to withdraw your bodyguard immediately to the province of Toulouse for the duration of any immediate conflict with England. Of course from there you are free to direct your house as you see fit."

Thomas then looks back at Hugues.

"I urge you two gentlemen to agree to my proposal. If this degenerates into an internal conflict, it may not be a question of who shall storm the gates of London, but rather who will defend the walls of Paris."

[econ21]

My Prince, in the spirit of ending bickering - let me respond to an earlier intervention that you made regarding my Edict 1.3 that I confess I did not hear. [ooc: I missed that post] You are quite right that it is pointless to include a clause regarding conflicting edicts within ones own edict. [OOC: that clause was an ill remembered hangover from earlier games.] Our Charter clearly states that where edicts are passed but are in conflict, the one with the larger number of votes takes precedence. Consequently, I hurriedly delete clause 6 from my edict.

It has also become clear to me that there is no reason why our Edicts - your Edict 1.1 for an immediate declaration of war on England, my Edict 1.3 on a crusade on London - should be in conflict. I still believe that the Seneschal should determine the timing of the declaration of war, but that issue can be resolved independently of the issue of a crusade. If Edict 1.1 passes, war will be immediate. If Edict 1.1 fails, the Seneschal - or the King - will determine the timing. Consequently, I have amended clause 3 of Edict 1.3 to refer only to the timing of the crusade, not the declaration of war. Now nobles may quite consistently vote for both Edict 1.1 and Edict 1.3.

Revised Emergency Edict 1.3

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 crusade will be decided by the Seneschal.

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 understand that there are some in this chamber who have no appetite for a crusade on England. That is a matter for them - even if Edict 1.3 passes, no one will not be compelled to join the crusade. We each have our own path to God. However, those same nobles also desire to declare war on England. To those men, I urge them not to vote against Edict 1.3 - not to obstruct other brothers in arms who would ride with them against a common enemy.

We are entering a new age, Counsellors. The Papacy is no longer a tool of the Germans. It has broken away and is an emerging source of political as well as moral authority in a new world order. We remember the Lord, recognising the earthly power of the Romans and the powerlessness of his followers, he was obliged to advise - "render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's". But now the Church is finally emerging from the shadow of the smothering state, Roman or Holy Roman. No longer will Christians be compelled to follow the wishes of the German Kaiser. Through the Church, Christians will begin to have a say in what is done by their worldly rulers. No longer will Christian rulers wantonly be able to spill the blood of their brothers in Christ. The Church will command them to stop. And they will stop - as we have stopped our attacks on the Germans. And why did we stop? Was it is a sudden rash of conscience or compassion? No, it was the threat of excommunication. For the Godly, excommunication is a terrible thing. But now, for the unGodly, it also is to be feared. Because now is a new age. An age when men of war may rise, motivated by zeal, to crusade on those excommunicated. An age when the authority of the Pope may sway warriors of many nations to fight against those who so defy the teachings of the Church that they are expelled from its embrace.

The English - they were commanded by the Church to stop their attacks on Scotland. They did not stop and now are excommunicated. By bringing down the wrath of God in a crusade against the English, we would be acting to uphold the new authority of the Church over tyrants and warlords. We would be acting to bring discipline, restraint and respect for the church. To call a crusade against the English would not be opportunism nor cant, still less a land grab (surely my Captain's edict at least makes the latter clear!). It would be the first demonstration of the power of the Church over the realm of worldly rulers. It would, quite frankly, be revolutionary.

Cynics may sneer at those who call for a crusade, but I urge them to be cautious - they are not looking in a mirror. The men they judge are not motivated as they are. The men they see as hypocrites or deluded fools are walking a new path. That journey may start on the road to London or it may not. You may choose to walk that path or not. But do not block the way merely because you do not understand the motives of those who would take it. Do not turn away comrades who would join you in a battle. Do not let your cynicism turn away aid in this new age of zeal.

[Ramses II CP]

Louis nods his head companionably towards Hermant before speaking,

I rescind my amendment to Edict 1.1 and let it stand as originally worded and seconded.

I also wish to state that I respect your comments and clarifications on the justification for a Crusade. It is, indeed, a new age for the Church and I pray that the Holy Father's commandments be respected and upheld.

All the same I and my House will continue to decline to take part in the Crusade. Clearly many in this chamber doubt my good will and would abuse any power to oppose me. As such I make my intentions beyond all doubt; I intend to reunite France and drive William's armies off the continent entirely. What the King does with the lands I conquer I leave to his behest, as I did at Valencia, without protest or complaint. Have any others sacrificed their men and their own blood in battle only to be denied ownership of the province they took? I do not count Caernarvon as the King made clear his trouble with Duke de Rohan.

House Aquitaine does not deserve this persecution.

I will refrain from comment on the suggested compromise until the Seneschal has had the opportunity to respond to my challenge. Perhaps the man will see sense, yes?

[OverKnight]

Hugues turns to the Dauphin.

Sense? Hmmpph.

Very well, let me make my own attempt at "sense" Dauphin.

I need two seasons before hostilities start with the English. This is so Thierry de Rochefort and Alexandre Le Sueur may return to our lines. And that a proper Crusade can be assembled.

If your Highness will withdraw the clause from Edict 1.1 calling for immediate war, and pledge to refrain from attacking for two seasons, you may keep your army.

Now, you have already refused this offer in private, but I will make it publically now. I do not seek to cripple Acquitaine, only to delay your heedless aggression.

To a hammer everything is a nail. You could call for my impeachent, but instead you challenge me to a duel. The outcome of which is the end of my life, including my term of Seneschal of course, or the few brief blissful moments of victory before your father comes down on me like a ton of bricks. How appealing. In either scenario, I wouldn't get those two seasons anyway.

[Ramses II CP]

By God man, are you a fool? Sir le Sueur has already spoken and declaimed he is in so little danger that with a few mercenaries he might take London next year! It is a thinly disguised lie that you are worried for those men when they are not worried for themselves!

Let the crusaders take as long as they like to assemble their Crusade. I care not one whit. If we delay any longer, however, Valencia and Bordeaux will cost far more French lives to capture than they would this season. Furthermore dear William might very well catch his death in Scotland, rendering the excommunication moot. I would be untroubled by this matter as I want only to reunite France, not to go a'conquerin' in God's name.

I do not want you impeached or dead, but I will not allow my House or my nation to be impoverished by your stubborn insistence on observing an antiquated law in pursuit of mindless hostility towards my person.

By the by if you want to fund mercenaries for the men in Albion I will sacrifice for the greater good once more and remove my own prioritized recruitment to allow it. Just as I sacrificed to ride to your bloody aid when the Germans attacked, just as I sacrificed my precious cavalry for your benefit when I could've used them at Bern!

I call on you to answer my challenge before the end of this session. To give you the time you may need to consider the matter I move that the emergency session be extended.

Will any other Duke second the motion?

Prince Louis looks about expectantly.

[ULC]

Hermant, do you still labor under the impression that it is the divine will of god to punish the English, who have remained good Catholics even in his Holiness eyes, because William and his closest generals have erred?

Therefore, if we would, as the consiel, be excommunicated in the future by our own actions, it is then just for the Germans to kill and slaughter the good and faithful people of France as they to try to uphold the proclamation of the church? For something in which we erred?

What you are setting the precedent for, Hermant, is that the people who have done nothing wrong under their rulers, be punished when said rulers err and lose favor with the church - and has been shown, the Pope himself is a mercurial man.

[Vladimir]

*Gontran, at the rear of the assembly hall, looks about at the other Dukes in anticipation of their reply*

[OverKnight]

Hugues glances to the Throne.

I would like to hear from the King before answering your latest slurs, Highness.

[woad&fangs]

In three seasons time, the papal enforced ceasefire between the Royaume and the Reich will be at an end. At which point, the armies which the kaiser has mustered along the Rhine will be unleashed upon our lands. So unless the Conseil thinks we can force a peace with the Normans within three seasons, and let us not forget that our diplomats are a bunch of soggy brained incompetents, then perhaps we should focus our limited resources on keeping the Germans out of Paris.

[AussieGiant]

Alain leans forward in his seat.

"I will second ze motion to extend ze Emergency Session.

Ser Alexandre le Sueur 'as indicated zat 'e is safe. I would caution 'is comments wiz ze knowledge zat zere are at least four large armies on ze island, each of which could materialise on 'is position next season.

I want zem near Bruges before any war is called."

Alain nods at Hugues and then the throne.

"My Liege, it would be an opportune time to 'ave ze Seneschal and Dauphin remove ze 'ands from each ozers throats, no?"

[econ21]

Chevalier Gaetan, on the issue of the crusade as punishment, I agree: a crusade should not punish the people of a land. I would regard any crusade sacking a city as undisciplined; any crusade exterminating a city as criminal. I am a warrior, not a butcher. I would even stand to that belief if we were to crusade against the Moors or in the Holy Land. Before Christ, there were no Christians and it is only through conversion that the Church has come to dominate Europe. Only unbelievers can be converted.

I also agree with you that we will be setting a dangerous precedent if we crusade on the English for failing to heed the Pope's order to cease killing the Christian Scots. It will signal danger to all warlords and butchers who would spill Christian blood to seize their lands. And yes, this does bite both ways. Any general of France who attacks the Germans in their lands and brings down excommunication on France is likely to be judged very harshly by all of us in this hall.

Since the fall of Rome, Christendom has become prey to pointless internecine wars between those who profess to love Christ. The mechanism of excommunication, backed by the sanction of crusade by any and all good Christian nations, offers a chance to end that anarchy and establish something a kin to the Pax Romana of old. Such a new order of peace and stability would only benefit the people of England, and of France, and of all other Catholic nations.

[Braden]

My lords.

I have kept silent over these last exchanges in an effort to find my own centre of well being and to find guidance from God as to how to respond and how to speak.

I am still unclear as to Gods will. The English were excommunicated due to their actions against the Scots and so perhaps any Crusade called should be aimed at freeing them first.

However I do not begin to understand the logistics of such a voyage.

I am not a proponent of a full Crusade at this time. However, should a crusade be as God wills then either to Scotland or against the Moors seems far more fitting.

Perhaps the death of King William of England will naturally also make the English more pre-disposed to come to terms with us.

I am firm however in my belief that God has given us this opportunity, small opportunity to reclaim our historic lands! I am a member of the Royal Family and as such the thought of England owning what is rightfully ours is abhorrent to me in the extreme. We have the chance now to change this so I support a war on England to reclaim our lands.

Hence I also second proposed Edict 1.1. Immediate action is needed to reclaim our country, I can see it no other way…I apologise is that is disagreeable to some but it as it should be from a Prince perhaps?

I also find that I have to oppose in the strongest terms proposed Edict 1.4, as it lends no support to our own people in our own lands that are held by the English.

Although I have reservations over this I find I have to support Edict 1.0 also. Not for any other reason other than it will allow us to work faster to the betterment of those people we have liberated and will free such troops and nobles up for future issues in the East.

I also support Edict 1.6. However, I feel that my brother must be brought to account for his continued actions which have been found to be, if not directly in conflict with the general feelings of the council, are opposed to the correct functioning of government.

Louis, I ask you to return to Paris after we have ejected the English from our lands. Hand over command of your forces to another who will be nominated by our Father the King. I fear what will happen if you continue to go against the laws of the land and the councils edicts. Serve a simple penance…this will form the base of a proposal of my own but first I must complete those Edicts already in place.

I support Edict 1.7 Its general core is as I wish but I still feel that sending an army to Scotland may be a step too far financially and logistically.

I hereby enter a proposal for EDICT 1.8: The council pledges on honour and oath to God that upon the recapturing of our lands in France from the English and cessation of active campaigning thereof, we pledge to approach the Pope and request a Crusade against the Moors. The exact target province to be decided by normal council vote.

I put this forward as it is clear that the Moors must be dealt with and our Catholic cousins in Iberia seem incapable of doing this task. This will also enhance our standing in the eyes of the Pope and God for spreading his true word.

[ULC]

I am sure you recognize the soldiers under King still count as Englishmen, and as Catholics, if I am not mistaken? You seem intent on using the Crusade, a holy tool to fight for the faith, to bring back those lost and forgotten, to seize a city which is filled with good Catholics, which is defended willingly or unwillingly by hundreds of good Catholic soldiers, all commanded by one man who's personal ambitions have damned him?

Why not simply declare war, and take London, and trade it back? Why do you see the need to create a Crusade out of it? There is nothing "holy" in your objectives, there are no souls to save - all you are doing is corrupting the greatest tool of our faith to reunite and bring it's people back into the light. You are either attempting to gain power, or simply deposing a man whom the Pope has declared Vitandus upon...

[Ituralde]

Any man who willingly follows a heretic has damned himself to the same fate. Those English that fight for William have put their souls into great danger. I know you don't see it so, but in my opinion a Crusade is a justified tool to purge the own faith of those that have sinned against it.

Whether the Pope is still examining the case of William or has already felled a verdict over him will be made abundantly clear when he either agrees to a Crusade against him or disagrees. Surely you would accept the Popes ruling on a matter of faith de Rethel?

[ULC]

I already have accepted the Popes verdict, Vitandus, for William. As such, as any good christian would, I will avoid him until he sees fit to ask for reconciliation, and is reconciled by either the Pope, or a Bishop of the Pope's selection.

Excommunication is medicinal, not vindictive - William is to be coerced back into the fold, not damned and sent to hell. THAT, is what the Pope has decreed - stop trying to turn every Englishman, Scotsman, and Frank under English rule into a Heretic so you can declare a bloody crusade to take London and therefore justify a war that does not need any justification beyond the fact the English should no longer rule over half of the Royuame!

[AussieGiant]

"Nice use of words zere de Montpierre,

'when he either agrees to a Crusade against him or disagrees'

so if we politely ask ze Pope wiz our current impressive standing wiz 'im zen all is well and we can proceed?

I find it unpleasant zat out of all ze nations zat could ask for a crusade against ze English, it 'as to be us to do it? Likewise, ze Pope can call one 'imself, but instead we 'ask'.

As I said before, if we take such action it will be clearly a secular move, now matter 'ow disguised our methods are."

[Marcus Agrippa]

My lords I feel I must clarify my reasoning for my proposition as some think they can interpret it askew.

I am not safe but don't expect battle till war is declared.
I have seen that the English are pre-occupied with Ireland & Scotland there for once we are in Burges we could strike if the English do not send forces to their capital.

I am not blind to danger and wish to serve France for many years yet.
Our King has many of the best spearmen availible and with knights I believe london could be taken quickly for the profit of peace.

As for Edinburgh I think we could arrange for transport of a force after the English start sending their forces south. This should be a goal to force a stalemate the English can't break once we gain the our land back.

[AussieGiant]

Bowing formally to Le Sueur.

"I agree zat once you are near Bruges zen ze immediate danger will pass. However war could be declared immediately, zereby placing you in an unfair position.

If ze English do not defend London, zen we should absolutely make it a target."

[_Tristan_]

Mes Seigneurs,

I have listened hard on the debate here in this very chamber... All have argued a good case.

Let me say this :

The difference between France and England, as good servants of the Church, is that when embroiled in a war with the Reich and in a position to win it or at least score victories that would have prevented the Germans from mouting a counter-offensive, we relented, heeding the word of the Vicar of Christ on Earth for our own salvation...

Whereas Guillaume, in his lust for glory and conquest, for isn't he dubbed the Conqueror, willingly chose to ignore his Holiness call for truce and took Edinburgh from the Scots.

There lies the difference between us and the English...

As I've stated before, France has always been the honored daughter of the Church and it is our duty as France's nobility to make sure every Catholic now and in future years heed the Word of God, heed the Word of His Holiness.

That is the reason why we need to call a Crusade on England, to bring Guillaume down, to set an example for the Catholic world to follow, so that each and every sovereign, duke, count, baron, knight knows what he risks when defying God's will.

His Holiness holds us in favour right now but we are still under the threat of excommunication should we attack the German lands, how can you, mes Seigneurs, be sure that if we go to war with England we do not incur the same threat ? That would leave us hanging over the chasm with a two-fronted war and no means of forging ahead, being forced to defend.

Hence, I implore you to consider the need to ask His Holiness for his sanction beforehand and have him call for a Crusade on England.

Many have argued that other countries will see us as opportunistic but how can you be sure that those same countries will not themselves answer the call for Crusade ? How can they call us opportunistic then ?

Turning to Louis

My son, I was the first to point out the rashness of your actions concerning Bordeaux... By acting thus, you're forcing the Senechal hand and forcing mine... Forcing me to stand against my Senechal in favour of my son, or the contrary...

In the light of your past actions, I'm sorely tempted to give right to the Senechal and allow him to disband the men under your command... If it would punish you and you only, I would allow it... But it is not only you who would suffer but the whole Royaume.

Nor will I allow you to fight the Senechal in a duel to the death. It would gain you nothing and once more it would cost the Royaume, depriving it of one of its best generals.

Many have expressed fears, feigned or true, about the safety of our stranded knights in Wales, though the latter have expressed no such fear for their own safety... And have those same men taking into account the fact that I could, and my men with me, be under the walls of London as soon as this emergency session is over... That those knights could join me and fight to capture the city. So those fears are no reason to delay. I hope this deals with our Senechal request for a delay. Though I'd be willing to hear more arguments on this before I end up with a firm position on the matter. As I said, London is but a season's march away and with the help of our man Aubry Fevre, we could bring the city down without even a prolonged siege.

I hope this will be time enough for us to reclaim our lost lands as I do not wish to fight a prolonged war with England. I would even be ready to return any city or castle captured on English soil.

For I will say this : War with England is coming... I''d rather it could wait until our war on the Reich had found a peaceful resolution but this cannot be, and German stubborness is the man cause behind it.

But this war will only be led against England under the banner of the Cross. And I'll have the final say in this, be assured of it.

Now, if that doesn't suit your own ideals of chivalry or christianity, fine... Do not take up the Cross and fight as you did until now but do not deny others the benefit of fighting for what they believe in and under the benevolent gaze of God.

(OOC : I hope this all makes sense... It was difficult trying to answer each and everyone of the numerous posts...)

[Ramses II CP]

I am, as ever, obedient to your will my King. If the Seneschal will also submit himself to the King's commands not to disband my troops then he may consider my challenge withdrawn. With due respect to those who disagree I consider my aggressiveness to be at the heart of what it means to be a knight of France; to charge fearlessly forward no matter the foe and win victory with honor!

It bears repeating that I broke no law at Bern, and when it became clear that success required risking the defense of France and the destruction of my army I withdrew instead, swallowing my pride for the greater good. I have sacrificed as much as any in this chamber, more than most, setting an example with my House that I pray will carry down the halls of time. I will not suffer my men to be slighted or weakened on account of politics.

All the same I will consider the requests that I personally withdraw from this war, especially if it can only be conducted under the banner of the cross.

[_Tristan_]

The King cocks an eyebrow on hearing the word "obedient" coming out of Louis' mouth.

As obedient as your sister Constance, surely, Louis...

To be frank Louis, I envy you your carelessness (OOC : not sure about the choice of word... I meant to say carefree) and your aggressiveness... I was like this in my own father's reign... Not a care in the world and always looking forward to the next battle, even if we lost a lot of those in these times to Guillaume's minions...

But to rule is to look further than this, to see the greater picture... Past your aggresiveness, you've to learn the way of politics and to choose battles on your own ground and not that of your adversary...

Attacking like you want us to do would be playing into Guillaume's hand, we may take one or two of his settlements and then we run the risk of following him on the path of damnation... But if we get Papal sanction through a call for Crusade against him, we'll be God's soldiers doing his Holy Work, saving the souls of countless Englishmen from the pits of Hell through our actions and forever damning those standing against us.

As further proof of our goodwill in this holy endeavour, and as proof that we are not at war with the English people but only with Guillaume the Heretic and the Usurper and his clique, I propose Edict E1.9 : All English prisoners are to be released and all cities and castles taken from the English will be occupied.

I wish to free our people living under the English yoke and also wish to free the people of England from the yoke of an heretic sovereign, for that is the mission God has seen fit to provide us with.

Of course, as stated by Sieur de Rethel, should Guillaume be reconciled before we can bring him to justice, we will make every effort in our power to renew peace with him, though I expect that by this time both Bordeaux and Angers will be back in our fold.

Looking earnestly at his son, Philippe continues

Louis, you know that I'm not the most loving father nor the most easily loved... But I respect you for what you are, a true Prince of the blood, a fine warrior and exceptional general. You needn't remind me of the sacrifices you've suffered for the greater good of France, all here can bear witness to that... If I never thanked you for it, I do so now, with all my heart.

Philippe rises and bows respectfully to his son, then straightens and sits again.

Now, my son, your sword is needed once more... You may or may not take the cross but at least join us in our fight to kick English presence out of OUR LANDS...

Philippe ends his speech looking hard at his son, holding his gaze for a long time.

Now, mes Seigneurs, having perused the proposed legislation, here are my observations thus far :

Edict 1.1 is not needed as I will declare war on the English usurper as soon as this session ends if I can get the Conseil approval of a request for a Crusade from the Pope, and such a request is granted.

Edict 1.2 is the epitome of the selfish landgrab that so many here wish to denounce. Why be so greedy ? Let us content ourselves with reclaiming our historically French holdings, Angers and Bordeaux, and any lands where Guillaume may see fit to hide himself if we cannot find him in London, but let's be content with that. What rights have we to Pamplona or Valencia ? Would it not be better if once Guillaume is brought to justice, we could fight hand in hand with his successor against the Moorish threat, forming a bulwark to protect Europe ?

Edict 1.3 needs some little adjustment in my view. Notably, in §1, it should state "the Conseil authorizes the Senechal to request a Crusade on London from the Pope". I am, as your King, the only person invested with the right to declare a war unless this Conseil votes for it. I would see this prerogative be respected. There is no question that if the call for Crusade is launched, I will answer it for the Royaume.

§3 makes no sense. I've stated here many times that time is of the essence. Guillaume could very well maneuver himself out of his excommunication, whether it is by acting contrite or offering the building of cathedrals in every major English city... The same is true of our standing with the Pope... I'm as surprised as you are with our good fortune (OOC : I can't understand how that Pop-o-meter went through the roof) but it may not last... A single mistake by one of our soldier on the wrong side of the border could lead to our own damnation. If we intend to be a guiding light for all Christianity, we must strike fast and strike hard. Hence the request must be made at the earliest opportunity, as soon as this session ends. We're already losing enough time debating this issue.

However, I perfectly agree with §2,4 and 5. Let all who wish to participate in dealing Guillaume his fair punishment join with your King or strike at whatever target will deal the usurper a blow.

I will ask you to ignore also Edict 1.4. Unless I misread it, it requires giving back to England all settlements captured for the return of peace. Does it mean we'll have to return Bordeaux and Angers, provided we can take them, having then lost all we had gained, returning France to unity and dividing it anew, of our own free will to boot ? I'll agree to give back any settlement on Albion if it means we can then live in peace with England, but no continental settlement captured will be given back under my rule.

I will second Edict 1.5. I understand that some of you think they've been treated unfairly in the allotment of lands captured. Some Houses have benefited more than others but being fair is difficult. I will nevertheless try to do so and will consult with every Duke to hear their pleas and decide in accordance with them what they think will be fair payment for their participation in the war effort. I am no fool... I know full well we will be fighting a two-fronted war, and that it will require a division of our forces so that those fighting on the eastern front will fight a "holding" war with few rewards, while those fighting England will fight a war of conquests with probably many more rewards. Though Edict E1.9 should make sure this is not a war for profit. I intend to make sure that the Senechal will have enough funds to make the necessary recruitments to defend the eastern front, even if it is at the cost of our fighting in the west.

Edict E1.6 is not needed anymore. I personally ask the Senechal to disregard the provisions of said Edict 2.8 as long as my son is willing to obey my word ans stay his sword.

Edict E1.7 states too broad a target. While I understand the need to bring relief to the beleaguered Scots, it would require of us to cross all of England and would thus require us to annex the whole island, hence giving credit to those that call us opportunistic. We'll have to pray that our own foray in southern England will divert the English forces raiding Scotland and enable those hardy fellows to reclaim their capital. Moreover, I thought it too vague in the conditions it set upon capture of English cities, hence my proposed Edict E1.9.

I will thus formulate Edict E1.10 : During the war with England, all efforts shall be made to recapture the French settlements of Bordeaux and Angers and capture the city of London or any other English city upon which the Crusade is called or in which Guillaume (OOC : William for you English speakers) found asylum and until he is either captured, killed or reconciled. All settlements captured following the terms of this Edict are to be considered ratified.

I will second Edict E1.8. It is a noble endeavour but one which I fear we may have to postpone, depending on the state of our Royaume. We will be bloodied by the Crusade and the war against the Reich. I know how much my Royaume suffers in these times of war but I see also the need for you knights of France to uphold your rank and show your battle prowess in the eyes of God. Hence I make the promise that I shall seek an audience with the Pope to allow us to launch another Crusade on the Mohammedans in Africa or in the Holy Land.

That is all for now, mes Seigneurs. Let's hear your own views now.

[Ramses II CP]

I will second edicts 1.9 and 1.10.

I will also consider your advice mon Pere, and I am deeply grateful for your kind words. My sword and my blood are yours, as is that of my men, for now and forever!

What you ask of us shall be done no matter our personal feelings on the matter, for we are your subjects in every proper sense of that word.

Louis returns his father's bow deeply, and holds his gaze a moment before lowering his eyes respectfully.

[_Tristan_]

What passes for a fond smile can be quickly seen on Philippe's face.

[AussieGiant]

Alain leans back in his seat.

"Well, zat just about wraps up everyzing I 'ad noted down and zen some.

I zink ze King 'as comprehensively dealt wiz every point.

I would like to motion we all retire for refreshments and zen come back and as ze English would say,

'Take a bloody vote!', No?"

With that he slaps one of his 'pageboys' on the arse.

"Get in ze back you tartlet, I 'ave a 'uge 'unger for some melonsss!!"

[econ21]

I second Edicts 1.9 and 1.10

In accordance with His Majesty's wishes, I will revise Edict 1.3:

Re-Revised Emergency Edict 1.3

1. The Conseil authorises the Seneschal to request a crusade to be called on London from the Pope.

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. 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.]

4. 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.

[ULC]

Gaetan sighs at the Roi's words, grabs his cloak, and leaves, shaking his head.

"It seems this consiel is intent on committing blaspheme and is in the mind to refuse to listen to facts. As such, not only will I not waste any further breath on trying to inform others of the Popes intent, I will vote against the crusade in all it's forms - it would be poor of me to let my brothers go astray."

[Vladimir]

*Gontran stands erect, willing to speak.*

Well said mon Roi. Well said indeed!

Were a second needed for E1.9 I would be the first. Umm...

*Gontran looks up and to the left while counting with his fingers.*

Right!

If we are to go forward in the name of the Almighty let us walk in the footsteps of Christ.

With that, Gontran sits down with a look of satisfaction.

[OverKnight]

Hugues stands and bows to the King.

It will be as your Majesty says.

Reeves has updated the list of Legislation.

[Ramses II CP]

I second edict 1.8.

[Ituralde]

I thank you for supporting a Crusade to depose of William mon Roi. I would amend Edict E1.4 it was voiced that way to make clear my personal objectives in this upcoming struggle. I will not stand in the way of the Kings plan for the whole Royaume though and see how it could be too restrictive. Alas it is now too late for that as it is already put to the vote. Please ignore the Edict as it now stands.