Conseil du Royaume

[ULC]

Gaetan shrugs

"So therefore, in your eyes, the German people are of less value to God then the English people, and that King William committed a more blasphemous act then Kaiser Karl, even though they essentially were excommunicated for the same thing."

"If this crusade was about saving souls, as crusades are meant to be, then I don't think you'd take issue with declaring it upon the Holy Roman Empire, where the vast majority of our military commanders and assets are located near."

"Instead, we would declare a Crusade upon King William, were we must gather men from the far reaches of the Royaume, and step outside of the wording of the law to go after one man, dragging us into a 4 front war - to the north from Albion, to the south from Cordoba, to the east from Pamplona and Bordeaux, and to the west from the Empire."

"Whether or not I would argue for a Moorish Crusade seems irrelevant to this body - they seem far more interested in declaring war upon fellow Catholics, and so I thought I would hop on the bandwagon and ask the innocent question of "why not them?". Because it appears that your willing to admit this crusade is nothing more then a shame intent on grabbing land with Papal favor - or is it because your tired of having refer to Duke William as an equal?"

[_Tristan_]

Where did I admit such a thing, De Rethel ? Please tell me...

I have no wish to claim lands in England, but I surely want Guillaume brought to God's justice for his sins.

As to why not the Germans ? I'll return to you the question... Why indeed ? Have they sinned against us as the Englsih have for contless years now ? No...

Are we weather vanes to turn where the wind blows ? Going west now but turning east as the wind changes...

No... We've set a course for ourselves and I intend that we follow it to its end...

If you fear our Eastern border will be depleted, your fears have no ground... Our Senechal are proven time and time again that the Germans are no match for our knights... And few knights are willing to join the Crusade.

La Maison d'Aquitaine will be quite adequate in dealing with our southern threat, be it English or Moorish...

And both Duc Alain and myself should be enough to handle our northern marches and the conquest of London and the capture of Guillaume.

I have no fear we will prevail... have you ? Maybe you should go back to the ship that brought you back and sail once again for Constantinople...

[Ramses II CP]

Prince Louis returns to the Council chamber in a more subdued mood,

Where my King leads, I shall follow, but I think if we wish to set an example for the rest of Christendom we should ask for a crusade against the Moors. Such a course would aid our allies in Iberia and set God's banner against it's natural enemies, the infidels who terrorize the Holy Lands and have invaded Christian Spain. Such matters, however, are beyond my ken; I still don't see why we would wish to crusade against the English when we could've simply driven them off the continent with a straightforward war last year.

In any case, Sir de Linars remains in striking distance of Bordeaux with ample forces to force the Englishmen there to submit. The other English holdings in the south will not long outlast the fall of Bordeaux. It is our good and natural right to expel William and his band of theives from our kingdom, and my House awaits only word of the declaration to begin the work!

I and Sir de Perrone have ridden south with my new recruits to block the mountain pass out of Iberia. If the Moors wish to pass through our lands they will be forced to take the coast road, and if we catch them there next year they will be brought to God's justice for daring to march across France.

I petition the King once more to release the soldiers from the garrison of Valencia (OOC: The spearmen and mercenary crossbowmen south of Zaragosa) to the command of Sir de Xaintraillies so that they may be used for the defense of the realm.

With a dark glance in the direction of the Seneschal Louis continues,

I cannot comment on the fighting in Germany, but I would have it known that training requests for troops from Toulouse to defend the eastern front will be heard equably no matter who submits them. The Germans are mad to continue on this course. I regret only that I will not be able to confront them myself due to the Moorish invasion and the pending English war.

[econ21]

This season's news is unwelcome, but changes little on the ground. The war with Germany goes on, although now with less need for restraint on our part. We have always intended to challenge the Moors -they have merely pressed the matter. Neither the Germans nor the Moors seem to have armies on our borders that need make us abort the planned assault on England.

On the matter of the crusade on England, I would ask the Conseil to distinguish form from content. I believe Edict 1.3 offers the best approach to the form of any crusade. Specifically, that we open it to all nobles to participate in and that we do not exclude them from the final assault on the crusade target. I would hope that we adhere to those principles whether crusading on the English, the Germans or the Moors; whether marching on London or Nottingham. I believe that the Company of the Order of the Fleur de Lys will march at full speed to Paris to join the crusade, but hope that the Seneschal will abide by Edict 1.3 and wait for us "laggards" to arrive before formally launching the crusade.

When I speak of the content of a crusade, I allude to that question of the target. The King is fixed in his wish to crusade on the English. I believe the choice of target is ultimately at the discretion of the Seneschal - petitioning for a crusade is an act of diplomacy, for which he is responsible - but given the vote for Edict 1.3 and the Conseil's reaction to this season's event, remaining firm on the English as our target appears appropriate. As to whether Nottingham or London is the target, I would be content to leave this to the Seneschal's discretion. Recent events have reinforced my belief that - Edict 1.10 not withstanding - we should return any provinces captured on the British Isles to England when they are returned to the bossom of the Church. Once expelled from our lands, the English cease to be the main threat. We should not permanently scar and occupy their lands as they have ours.

[OOC: I don't want the crusade to knock out the English faction, which is what we would effectively be doing if we took and held their castle in Nottingham and their capital in London, as well as both contintental settlements.]

[Ituralde]

I would also like to petition the King to heed the wording of Edict E1.3 a little closer. I can see that he is impatient and I can understand it. The faster we bring William to justice the better. For the sake of speeding up the Crusade I would be willing to meet with the King in Bruges and have the Crusade declared there instead of Paris. I want all Nobles to be present when the Crusade is declared though. It is a holy act, we do not merely pick up the Cross beside the road. I am sure Robert Bouchart can make the necessary arrangements in Bruges to see the Crusade of in a manner deserving to our endeavour. Also I am more in favour of going towards Nottingham than striking at London. Our goal is William not England.

I hope this compromise will satisfy all parties involved and still follow Edict E1.3 as closely as possible. That being said I'd rather keep strictly to the Edict than take liberties at every step. It is important that our actions reflect the will of this Council.

I salute the bravery of our Eastern defenders and the House of Aquitaine that will help us master the troublesome times ahead regardless of the changed situation.

[OverKnight]

Hugues looks very uncomfortable and a bit wobbly. Everytime the word Crusade has been mentioned, he frowned and took a drink, which might explain his current state. He stands to speak.

My King and my fellow Lords. . .all this talk about Crusades ( He drinks.). . .and targets. . .and various proposed plans is all well and good. However, I have legislation, passed just last season, before me that spells out our immediate path.

The Crusade (He drinks.) will be called once those who wish to take the Cross have arrived in. . .Bruges seems to be the latest proposed gathering point. I fully understand and sympathize with the King when his Majesty calls for an immediate Crusade (He drinks.) but my hands are tied.

I am willing to move the target of the Crusade (He drinks.) depending on the location of William and adjust the gathering point for the Crusaders (He drinks.), but the rest I must hold firm on unless those involved are willing to compromise.

Also, if two Ducs or the King feel strongly enough about changing the nature or target of the Crusade (He drinks.) or adjusting the legislation we just passed, they can call another Emergency Session.

Mentioning the last phrase, Hugues drains the rest of the wineskin and sits.

[Braden]

I find I concur with the Duc at this time my Lords.

What is VERY unfortunate is that clearly William knew this was coming and that the Pope would sanction a Crusade to his capital so has run and hid in Nottingham.

Should we wish to proceed with this in the most noble manner then although we are tied by London being the official target of the crusade...we all here in the Council can agree as Gentlemen and Nobles of France that the true target of the crusade is William himself and wherever he hides.

IF this is agreed between us then, fail the crusade we will BUT fail God we will not. Attacking London just because it was given to us by the Pope as our ultimate result for his Crusade, does not sit well with me as it is not our true target or the intention of the Crusade itself.

A crusade can be called, enacted and uphold much of Edict 1.3, but where it goes ultimately lies with those in that crusade.

(OOC: yes I know we're likely to take a large in-game hit as the crusade will fail ultimately but that just makes it more interesting for us...we don't have to play to the in-game mechanics)

[AussieGiant]

Alain stands and after rummaging around under Hugues desk, produces another wineskin. Raising an eyebrow at the Seneschal in question, he uncorks it and squirts a long stream into his mouth.

"Zere is no way on zis earth I will be tempted to call anozer session!

We will 'opefully 'ave enough words on paper to debate for anozer week or so."

Taking another squirt, Alain fills his mouth.

He then glances at Medoc who looks on in forlorn hope at getting some action. Alain consider the request for a moment then gives the big poodle a blast. Medoc seems to enjoy the experience but more ends up on the floor than in the dogs mouth.

"Can we just call ze Crusade on ze English, pound Nottingham castle to dust, take Angers and Bordeaux in the ensuing seasons, hold our positions on ze German front, which should not be 'ard because we can now go on ze offensive, zen 'and back Nottingham in a peace deal, if ze English get all pissy, take London, zen offer peace again which zey will surely 'ave to accept, zen come back 'ere in 15 seasons for another Council session?!"

One squirt for Alain, one for Medoc.

"We can zen call a Crusade on ze Moors, because...zey will still be Muslims, unless somezing dramatic 'appens and zat will always be an option no?"