Conseil du Royaume

**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

**AussieGiant** · 10-06-2009, 07:48

Alain glances at the pile of coin, raises a glass and says.

"'avoc."

**Braden** · 10-06-2009, 09:35

Indeed my brother, what fortune you bring us this day! I do fear that I would have had nearly such a haul but…

*Henri pauses for effect*

…the new Kaiser decided to stand defiantly and not face me in hand to hand combat. He died with a crossbow bolt in his chest after allowing his entire retinue to suffer the very same fate by standing at the bottom of a hill and NEVER moving from his position.

Yes, my lords. I bring news of two further victories in the East against large German armies. My first battle was fought in difficult position atop a mountain pass. The Kasier refused to ransom back his loyal men that night.

The second battle took place in a deep forest, the cowardly Kasier refused to take the field actively against me and I had to march my entire army around the forest to assail him. Luckily the incoming Kaiser…I care not his name…did pay a minor sum for his men of 620 florins.

I will ask the Seneschal to aid me to uphold my offer to Frankfurt. I ask that the florins I have gained this day be given to my lord Saint-Amand to allow him to either recruit or hire mercenaries for this immediate period. I will, next season, send one company of crossbowmen to stand beside the lord of Frankfurt and in return I ask for a company of spear to allow me to march North again for my forces are depleted after two such large battles in difficult situations.

**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.

**Ramses II CP** · 10-06-2009, 16:23

A troubled look crosses Louis' face before he replies,

Thomas de Saint-Amand I mean no disrespect to your great service to God and France, but I must decline. My wife has yet to provide me with a natural son and my daughters have yet to come of age, so in the absence of a direct heir to carry on the line I fear it could create chaos for me to adopt a noble, especially of another House, as my own.

In compensation for this dismissal and recognition of your valor I offer instead that the next company of Mailed Knights trained at Toulouse be sent to serve under your command. Though we face war on many fronts all parts of France can work together for the greater good.

**KnightnDay** · 10-06-2009, 17:16

"I quite understand, highness. I pray God delivers a son to your family and thank you for the favor you have bestowed."

Thomas then rises and takes his place at the bench of Lorraine.