Conseil du Royaume

**KnightnDay** · 10-05-2009, 13:48

The Moorish army near Marseilles is not a threat to you, Baron Lacaze. I have no doubt their presence is disturbing, but they will only attack a city that was identified by their own religious leaders and so far as I am aware, Marseilles is not the one.

Frankfurt needs troops more than anywhere. Against substantial imperial forces, I cannot do anything more than hide behind walls with only three militia units and rely on the assistance of Prince Henri for protection of what is the most financially significant city in the royaume. That last point may not be of interest to many, but it is a fact.

**Braden** · 10-05-2009, 14:02

Baron Thomas de Saint-Amand and my lords,

As part of my pledge I have stated I will release one company of crossbowmen to the Baron’s command after I have met the forces immediately arrayed before me.

I also intend to offer any captives for ransom back to the Germans in the hope that the Seneschal will agree that any funds raised from this will be used to help recruitment in Frankfurt.

The baron has been gracious enough to offer me any and all forces he has at his disposal, an offer I am happy to refuse at this time. However, should I get the opportunity I intend to march North an besiege Hamburg, a significant castle, for which I may require additional troops.

If or when this occurs, I will call upon Baron Thomas de Saint-Amand to aid me directly. I will not be requesting funds for myself to hire additional mercenary companies.

**Ramses II CP** · 10-06-2009, 01:43

Prince Louis enters the chamber followed by four strapping young men carrying chests. They deposit them on the Council floor. With a grand gesture Louis begins to speak,

This, gentlemen, is a Sultan's ransom.

The Prince smiles broadly at the men, and tips a wink in the Duke de Champagne's direction.

Despite the Seneschal's refusal to live up to his end of our bargain and despite his further refusal to see an invasion of infidels as a threat I and my men have dispatched the foreign army in defense of France. The enemy's people, being a forgiving lot I suppose, have agreed to paid over fourteen thousand florins for his release. Obviously I've already negotiated the exchange.

A look of frustration and anger comes over Louis' face as he continues to speak,

This is my pledge. This is my bond. No matter how I am treated I love my country, love fighting for my country, more than anything else. Demean my House, mock my habits, and disguise your ambition to take my conquests for yourselves and it matters not, I will always serve the kingdom of the Franks to the fullest extent of my abilities.

Christophe de Perrone. Raynaud de Xaintrailles. Yvon Lacaze. Gontran de Linars... and now Gaetan de Rethel. These men are heroes of House Aquitaine. You may not care for our methods or the size of our lands, but you cannot question our results. We enrich, enlarge, and ward this nation. Someone made some claim or the other about the wealth of Frankfurt in requesting reinforcements. I match that claim now, with the wealth House Aquitaine brings to France. Reinforce us in kind, build for us in kind, or meet God's justice in the hereafter.

In particular Gaetan de Rethel is in need of mercenaries to reinforce his siege of Pamplona. We can afford them.

Secondarily there should be training and construction at Toulouse, also with an eye to completing the siege of Pamplona.

Thirdly, in my humble opinion, we might consider if some of this money should be set aside to fund the Moorish crusade which must surely someday come. I leave to the discretion of this body the method.

I vow this as well, should the Moors come again we will meet them once more. As God is my witness, no infidels shall invade France and cross her freely so long as I live.

With a self satisfied smile Louis plops into his seat.

**Cecil XIX** · 10-06-2009, 01:45

A message arrives from Duc Raymond

As Lord of Dijon, the trade capital of the Royaume, I must point out that under normal circumstance Dijon is the wealthiest city of the Kingdom. The reason it is not at this moment is because it was necessary to lower taxes for the duration of my campaign to seize Bern.

**Vladimir** · 10-06-2009, 01:53

May I point out Sieur that if developed properly, Marcelle would be far wealthier than Dijon. It is our gateway to the riches of the Mediterranean and the East.

**Cultured Drizzt fan** · 10-06-2009, 01:58

Yvon rises, clapping his hands

My only regret is that I could not have taken part in the battle..... My lord has saved my city, for no matter what the rest of you say, I Believe that the moors would not have taken a second thought at sacking it.

He has brought riches before you none of you could have dreamed of. Perhaps next time you all wish to mock Aquitaine you look at our own coffers MY lord, And your PRINCE, placed those riches there.

Now I believe I shall go back to the city and spread the good word.

It is my hope that under my leadership Marseilles will become a trade capitol of the west.

**OverKnight** · 10-06-2009, 02:48

Hugues is drinking wine when the chests are brought in. When their bounty is spilled on the floor, he expells a spray of purple over a report in shock. Daubing at his doublet, he speaks.

Most impressive Dauphin. Your Highness makes a better bandit than a martyr.

Standing, the Seneschal rethinks his last statement and genuinely bows to the Prince.

Your Highness shall have the stables at Toulouse and building in other parts of the Duchy. As for the mercenaries for Gaetan. . .I am loathe to reinforce a man who sieges a castle with just his retinue. Unless we take hostages every season, adding more companies to our forces will eventually bankrupt the Realm. This is not an insult to Acquitaine, it is a problem that faces the entire Kingdom.

We should not base the long term finances of the Realm on the continued expectation of such impressive wind falls as this.

**OverKnight** · 10-06-2009, 04:11

Hugues recieves a letter, after scanning it, he shakes his head.

I have asked that requests for recruitment be made in public.

Baron de Saint-Amand, your request for two companies of mercenary crossbowmen is denied.

The army of Lorraine will be headed to Frankfurt to assist you with the Germans.

**KnightnDay** · 10-06-2009, 06:16

A messenger arrives bearing word from Franconia and reads aloud.

To his most honorable seneschal and Duc of Champagne. The crossbows are no longer required. The enemy has been driven from the field by my guard and spear militia. My attempt to secure a ransom was to no avail. Apparently the empire's fiscal resources were insufficient to come up with the necessary florins. Prince Henri and I will continue to do what is necessary with the resources we have to defend our lands.

Respectfully,

Thomas
Baron of Franconia

**Vladimir** · 10-06-2009, 12:13

Originally Posted by OverKnight

Hugues is drinking wine when the chests are brought in. When their bounty is spilled on the floor, he expells a spray of purple over a report in shock. Daubing at his doublet, he speaks.

Most impressive Dauphin. Your Highness makes a better bandit than a martyr.

Standing, the Seneschal rethinks his last statement and genuinely bows to the Prince.

Your Highness shall have the stables at Toulouse and building in other parts of the Duchy. As for the mercenaries for Gaetan. . .I am loathe to reinforce a man who sieges a castle with just his retinue. Unless we take hostages every season, adding more companies to our forces will eventually bankrupt the Realm. This is not an insult to Acquitaine, it is a problem that faces the entire Kingdom.

We should not base the long term finances of the Realm on the continued expectation of such impressive wind falls as this.

*Gontran's squire intones*

Forgive me Sieur, but my lord informs me the stables at Toulouse are already at maximum capacity. If you wish to proceed with your most noble statement we will need to expand the castle. With my lord's recent success at Bordeaux, that time draws closer. You would be the Seneschal responsible for approving the first fortress in French history. It's quite an honour.

**KnightnDay** · 10-06-2009, 15:20

Thomas enters the conseil having ridden from the battle of Champagne. He walks over to the bench of Lorraine and bows to the seneschal. Then, Thomas moves to the bench of Aquitaine where Louis is seated. Thomas stands before him and then kneels, his head bowed.

“Dauphin, I have been advised that my actions at Champagne warrant consideration for my adoption into your family. I would consider it the greatest honor if you would accept this humble offer. My words and actions in the conseil have been consistently supportive of France. To that end I spoke against the suggestion that your forces at Bordeaux be disbanded as the seneschal suggested.

My actions in battle when I have been given the opportunity have been no less. I have fought well at Metz and other places that have been properly documented. My latest action at Champagne was a victory for France, without benefit of anything more than spear militia and my own guard.

I have served by lord, the Duc of Champagne faithfully these years past and I offer my same pledge to you if you will accept. I earnestly pray that you will.”

Thomas then looks to the prince, and awaits his reply.