Conseil du Royaume

[_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.