Conseil du Royaume

[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.

[OverKnight]

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]

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]

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

"'avoc."

[Braden]

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.

[_Tristan_]

Philippe looks at both his sons.

My sons, with your prowess, I see my reign will not be for nothing. When I die, I'll die knowing I'll leave the Royaume in capable hands.

Looking sternly at Louis.

Please, Louis, do not be so harsh with our Senechal. You've accomplished so much with so little, it is understandable he's rzeluctant to send more troops to your help... I think he fears you'll conquer the world if given free rein...

As to the slights against you, just point out to me those offenders, and I shall punish them myself... Our blood is the most noble of France and a slur against you is a slur against me.

[Vladimir]

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]

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]

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]

"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.

[OverKnight]

Hugues glances between the two men, shakes his head and remains silent, a hint of a rueful smile on his lips.

[Ramses II CP]

With a wry look Prince Louis addresses the Council,

So, now that the Moors trouble lands other than House Aquitaine's they are finally seen as a threat? Perhaps if the Seneschal had taken my requests seriously Aquitaine would have the forces in place to meet them, but in truth recruitment has been insufficient to replace my losses from the previous Moorish invasion. No matter, we all know who places grudges ahead of the good of their people.

A sneer crosses the Prince's face before he continues,

I do not know how the English reinforced Pamplona, but I mean to consolidate my forces and secure that front first at this time. If any other House wishes to ask aid against the Moors I pledge my House to answer as best we are able, next season, dependant on what men are available to us, of course.

As to how the Moors reached the position they have... do we need to hear charges of treachery and treason again? I am not fond of some members of this Council, but even at that I cannot imagine they would stoop to treating with infidels, much less aiding them in crossing our lands. Some other trickery is at work. Fortunately the solution is simple, we should prepare a line of fortifications blocking passage from Iberia into France proper. Eh, a matter for the future anyway.

It is well that the German front seems quiet, as the English are rallying large armies to the defense of their King. We'll put them to flight soon enough, and the more the merrier, eh Mon Roi?

As I've said all along, training requests for Toulouse and Bordeaux, once the latter has been assigned to House Aquitaine, will be entertained fairly no matter who issues them. The defense of the realm cannot be left in the cold over petty disagreements.

[OverKnight]

Hugues shakes his head.

All the companies your Highness requested last season were recruited, as well as all your prioritizations met.

Hugues stands, back straight and head high, with a flash of rage in his eyes.

I tire of your baseless slanders. I tire of your holier than thou attitude. I tire of you blaming everyone but yourself for the problems facing your Duchy.

You are a mindless bully. A wart on the face of this Kingdom. Your heedless aggression has landed you in trouble and now you whine like a child whose toys have been taken away.

You pushed for a war with the English, you have it. You pushed for a war with the Moors, you have it. You have attacked on all fronts, leaving your Duchy without a reserve, and now events have overtaken you. That is not my fault, but your own.

So if you wish to impeach me, try it. If you wish to challenge me to a duel, I'll accept. But for the love all that is Holy, cease your snide insinuations and focus on the challenges that face all of us.

[GeneralHankerchief]

*Raynaud soundlessly licks his lips at the Seneschal's last statement, but says nothing.*

[Braden]

My lords please! Now is not the time with a Moor army deep in our own territory…surely you can both see this?

Brother, to say the German border is “quiet” is a bit of a misnomer seeing as a German army threatens Antwerp as we speak? Not only this but my sources tell me it is an army raised from Hamburg’s own garrison…leaving the castle largely undefended.

However, the watch towers also see another large Imperial army at Magdeburg just across the border.

So, it would appear the Germans are more active than first assumed huh?

Have we brought the English to heal yet in our own country? Do we know what holdings the English have in Spain? I suggest we find out urgently so that large forces such as those at Pamplona have come from deeper territories? Without intelligence we are likely to charge into the darkness and be consumed!

I request that we try to find an agent to investigate before we commit more to this theatre.

My lord of Champagne, I thank you for allowing the recruitment of spears for the Kings army. With greater German forces ahead of me I feel I may require further re-enforcement before I take Hamburg.

I also agree that we are again in a significant position to sue for terms with the Germans. However, to ensure this I strongly believe both Nuremberg and Magdeburg should be captured for potential exchange.

Gentlemen, now is the time to focus and consolidate our forces. Look to garrisons and take the field with as much as we can as we have Germans and Moors to repel from within! Dijon AND Marseille are threatened by the Moors large army…I care not HOW they got there all I care about at this time is HOW we are to remove them!

I cannot, in good conscience, leave the Eastern front to combat this new threats. Should I leave Magdeburg and Hamburg unchallenged the armies from these regions would surely threaten Frankfurt, Antwerp and beyond.

Brother, it seems the coin you got for us will be used up faster than we all envisaged huh?

[_Tristan_]

Mes seigneurs,

The Moorish threat has been proven true... While we bickered among ourselves, us Christians, our lust for battle fueled by the Pope's writs, the Mohammedans have gathered their forces and are now walking our lands, desecrating them... This must stop.

Now, England has almsot been brought to heel. The Order knights and myself are in position between Nottingham and London, poised to strike the killing bow to the heretical self-styled English King.

We've taken back the lands Guillaume and his minions had taken from us or we are about to do so.

I know that I've been pushing hard these last years for a Crusade to be called upon England. But I did so only to have our foray be done with his Holiness' sanction, allowing us to do God's work unopposed and not be seen as acting out of selfishness and with the wish of claiming lands for our own.

Now, it is time to consider if this Crusade is still required. Would it not be better if another target was chosen ? I can almost already hear some of you say "I told you so" (looks pointedly at Xaintrailles and Rethel) but the duty of a King is to look to the greater good of his Royaume before loking to the good of his soul.

Now, the Moors are desecrating our lands and we need our Senechal to alter our boat's course, steering us away from the shoals, only his hands are tied by our legislation.

So I'm calling to you my Lords. Do we need to change our legislation ? Do we need another Emergency Session ?

I'm waiting on your views, mes Seigneurs. Should you wish it, I'll be calling that session myself.

[OverKnight]

Hugues looks drained.

If the Conseil chooses another target by something approaching acclamation, I will have the Crusade called on it.

I would suggest Granada or even Marrakesh. If we cannot come to a consensus on a target, than another session might be required.

Hugues sighs at the thought.

As for England, an option, barring a peace, is to withdraw our forces from the Island to focus on the continent. We could recruit a fleet and blockade Dover, keeping them from an easy crossing.

While we are considering our options, should we have peace for our time with Germany? What should we give if this palatable?

[_Tristan_]

Looking to Hugues.

I concur with you. Another will only be needed if we have dissension on the Crusade target. Granada or Marrakech would be fine.

As for England, I'm not prepared to leave until Guillaume has been brought down. Once this is accomplished, and if a Crusade is called upon the Moors, I will certainly join, though it may take some time for me to reach those God-forsaken lands.

Finally in the matter of the Reich, I dearly hope their new Kaiser will be more amenable to peace than their last one. As to what offers we can make them, I would propose lands but that will have to wait as the lands taken from the Imperials are not yet ratified and thus cannot be traded yet.

[Braden]

Lords,

Do we need to call a full session to answer but one question? I, myself, called for and had the Edict approved for a Crusade against the Moors. If our situation against the English is so far in our favour already then would not a crusading army now be mere “overkill”?

I propose that our ultimate goal of ousting Guillaume from power remains true but the ultimate sanction of a Crusade is no longer needed against Christians but perhaps we can enact Edict 1.8 NOW with the forces we have in England!

What better way for the English to seek redemption in the eyes of the Pope and God than to have the opportunity for their normal men to join a just Crusade against the Moors?

I say to my father and King. Finish Guillaume and then call the Crusade outside Nottingham! Allow the Good Christian, ordinary fighting men of England a chance to expunge themselves of Guillaume’s folly by joining you there to march back to fight the true enemy of every Christian.

As for the ultimate destination of a Crusade on the Moors, I know not but to be honest care little. The very fact that we will do this is enough for me.

As to my own feelings on the Germans. Yes, a peace with offers of land seems the most agreeable. However, I will ask the council, my King and Seneschal to wait until I have completed what I set out to do. I wish to seize Hamberg and Magdeburg…once ratified I would see Magdeburg used as an addition to any negotiations to find peace. Hamberg, being a significant castle would act well as a re-enforced border guard with the Empire.

((OOC: yeah, I know…potentially one-of-THE most stupid ideas to put forward due to in-game mechanics but In-Character…its what Henri believes is a good idea))

[OverKnight]

Hugues coughs diffidently.

Not to be legalistic. . .

He narrows his eyes and briefly glances at the Aquitaine benches.

. . .but Edict 2.2 pre-ratified any land seized from the Empire after an excommunication. Granted, only Staufen currently fits the bill, but other territories may soon follow.

Staufen is currently within the Royal Demesne.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Edict 2.2: No further attacks are to be made on the Reich for the next Senechal term and suitable negotiations will be held with the Kaiser to regain a state of neutrality. Defending against attacks from the Reich doesn't impinge on this Edict..Should the Reich be excommunicated, the present edict will be void and agressive action will be authorized on all Imperial assets. If any provinces should be acquired in this fashion, they will be considered ratified.

[_Tristan_]

Philippe nods to Hugues.

You did well to remind me, Senechal. It seems I've been poring over battle plans too long and have not given enough thought to our legislation.

(OOC : will update my SOT to add Staufen, for now...)

[Braden]

Father, I would urge against using Staufen as a bargaining chip. Its location is too strategic and should it be held by the Germans again it would leave Frankfurt exposed from the South more so than it is now.

I beg a few seasons to give you Hamberg and Magdeburg also under the Edict. They will be pre-ratified and I believe Nuremburg and Magdeburg would be more appealing to a Kaiser who will surely be sorely pushed for coin than either Staufen or Hamberg.

[_Tristan_]

Looking at Henri.

Do not fear... I've no intention to give back Staufen. Twice have we claimed it and it will now remain Frank at whatever cost.

But please do not over-extend yourself. If you venture too deep into German territory, you may find yourself with your way back cut-off.

[Braden]

*Henri smiles at his father*

Fear not father, my first intention now is to ride closer to home before moving again against the Germans.

[Ituralde]

My King. For several seasons now you have lured my men north with the promise of a Crusade being called as is asked for by legislation passed in these halls. We could have been done by now, our men fueled by the fervour of Christ had the King not delayed in meeting with us. I know of the situation in the South, I voted for a Crusade against the Moors myself but only after William has been brought to justice. Not by us as mere Frenchmen, but as Crusaders, servants of the Popes will to bring just punishment to William!

Unless you propose a curse of action where the Pope approves of us both killing William in the name of the Lord and then moving against the Moors, I ask the Seneshal to stick to the legislation we voted upon. We already bent Edict E1.3 into a shape beyond recognition, but what use is the legislation passed in this body if we opt to ignore at every possibility?
Maybe the detour towards Nottingham can be incorporated into any request against Marrakesh or what not sent to the Pope?

[AussieGiant]

Alain raises both eyebrows at the last statement from de Montpierre.

He crunches down loudly on a large green apple, an amused and curious look on his face.

[Ramses II CP]

Prince Louis offers the Duke de Champagne a broad grin with lots of teeth,

Good, good! You've some spine in you to stand up for yourself! That's better than creeping about cutting me off from behind. We're not back to a place where we need a duel yet, at least not by my account, but I am glad I've answered the insults you levied against me over riding to the walls of Bordeaux.

My Duchy faces nothing it can't handle, even if you should find a way to have us attacked from a fourth side. We alone border all of France's current enemies, though the Germans at least haven't made an attempt to invade Aquitaine. We alone have dedicated recruits from our castle to the armies of other Houses, and promised further. It is not whining to point out that we've fought hard and lost many soldiers while supporting our neighbors at the same time.

Still, it was one of my own who pointed out to me that I proclaimed Aquitaine would need no more mercenaries for the English war. I spoke in error here last season and I renounce my request for mercenaries, which is the one you failed to meet due to some excuse or the other. The men we can train will be sufficient. To that end I humbly petition the King to assign Bordeaux to House Aquitaine without delay, so that training and construction can begin there in service and support of the whole Kingdom.

I will not move that you be impeached Seneschal de Champagne. France has prospered under your hands, though I may question the methods, and that carries more weight in my heart than our dispute.

I have made my opinion on the Crusade clear, but I will repeat it for emphasis; The infidels deserve a crusade. The English are nearly cast out of France, crusading to punish William may be fruitless and unecessary. Surely the loss of so much in exchange for his rash act at Edinburgh is punishment enough? All the same, where Mon Roi leads Aquitaine follows, as it should be with all Frankish Houses.

Louis looks hard at Simon de Montpierre before returning to his seat.

[_Tristan_]

My son, I've heard your plea that your House be granted Bordeaux. In the light of Edict E1.5, men of your house have already acquired Bordeaux and Valencia and are poised to take Pamplona from the English.

So granting you Bordeaux today would prevent you from laying claim to any other land reclaimed from Guillaume's hands. Is that your wish ?

I prefer we wait until the term ends before any land allotment from the Demesne is made. But if you have any request as to recruitment in Bordeaux, make it known to me and I'll be sure to include them in my requests to the Senechal (OOC: update my SOT accordingly).

As to you, Sieur Montpierre, the Order knights have served me faithfully these past years. For that, I thank them, but I fear that your ideals of chivalry and your dreams of glory have befuddled you. The Crusade of Edict E1.3 was to be a guarantee that our war waged on a Christian Kingdom was waged according to God's will and not against it.

Now, our success against Guillaume's men at Bordeaux, Valencia or even here on English soil are omens that God looks after us in this endeavour. So why do we need the sanction of a Crusade when God is already marching beside us ?

But we may need a Crusader zeal to march down from these northern wastes to the heathen South, under the Cross, extending the reach of God's Word upon the face of the Earth... That would be a true Crusader aim, don't you think ?

As soon as Guillaume is defeated and I hope to see his kingdom reconciled with his death, I will take the Cross and march on whatever Moorish city his Holiness will see fit to assign to us as our pious goal. I encourage any and all of you with sufficient men under your command to join me on this most Holy of missions.

Let's put behind us Edict E1.3 and make use of Edict E1.8 as soon as Angers falls.

[Ituralde]

I had merely hoped we could use this opportunity to solve two problems at once. We have two Edicts, both calling for Crusades, for Crusaders to defeat King William and for Crusaders to march against the Moors. If we put it to the Pope accordingly he may grant us our wish now and have us travel as Crusaders towards the Moorish heartland after bringing punishment to William. We are poised to strike either way. This is only a suggestion to at least keep the spirit of Edict E1.3 if we can't keep to the words due to the changed circumstances.

Whatever the decision I will proudly follow your Majesty where he leads.

[Ramses II CP]

Pamplona and Valencia, as I understand it, would not be ratified at this time and must remain in the King's domain until a Council session anyway. At that next Council session the absurd edict tying your hands will have expired and you can grant those lands to the House that conquered them, as is only just. Any from another House who press a claim to lands I and my House have conquered will face consequences for their umbrage.

As to lands taken from William elsewhere, I and my men will not likely aid in taking them, and so we will press no claim to them.

It is, of course, entirely your privelege to dispense Bordeaux at the time of your choosing, but it is a natural and historical part of Aquitaine and in my mind there can be no doubt about it's final resting place. Duke de Rohan and I have already struck an agreement between us regarding Anger and Bordeaux's disposition, so he has no complaint, and the other Houses seem unlikely to interfere. Christophe de Perrone has been on campaign at my side for many years and I mean him to govern in Bordeaux. It would sit well with me to reward him with title and lands as soon as possible.

I thank you for your consideration of my request.

Prince Louis bows deeply to his father before returning to his seat.