I agree with you Louis... Bordeaux is historically part of Aquitaine, stolen by force of arms by the English... Just as Marseille rightfully belongs to Bourgogne...
I know you've already made the gift of it to one of your vassals but would you be ready to return it to the Duchy it belongs to historically ?
Our Royaume cannot be built on discrepancies between the Houses. We must tend to have equal powers between the Houses so that equilibrim is maintained. Already your House has taken the lead and by far, if all its conquests are ratified and given to you and your vassals... It creates envy, jealousy and tensions such as exist between you and the Senechal.
Only through equilibrium can our Royaume thrive...
Do you see my point, Louis ?
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Mon Roi if the other Houses are jealous then let them make their own conquests. What pride could they take in begging the scraps from my table anyway? As House Aquitaine is not ashamed that France itself is larger than our House lands, so let the other Houses not be ashamed that they are not as large as House Aquitaine. We are all Franks, are we not? When aid was needed at the German front I and my men rode to give it, instantly! When soldiers were needed, I gave them up out of my own pool of prioritizations for the good of France.
It is a dangerous precedent to look on success as something to be punished. If my House is to be the conquerors and the other Houses merely gate wardens for our conquests then I will need larger armies and more support.
Marseille is not mine to barter with, it belongs to Yvon Lacaze, fairly given after he and I cast the Germans from it in battle. If House Bourgogne wishes to petition him for it they have my permission, but I will not pressure him to surrender it. I wonder if Bourgogne will remember who rode to their aid, securing their flank by the conquest of Marseille and setting to flight more than one German army along the way.
It is my opinion that giving provinces to the House which conquers them is fair, by definition, whereas distributing lands to Houses across borders and without reason is unfair, also by definition. If we want to create Houses that are perfectly equal we shall first have to petition God to remake Europe out of neat little squares for us, and then petition our enemies to only come at us when the correct House is ready for them.
After the Tournament my House had the noble opportunity to propose a Crusade against the Moors, at which time we proposed that the provinces taken in that Crusade be split evenly between the participating Houses, with House Aquitaine taking last place in the list. This was done because it was taken for granted that the Crusade would be a group effort among all the Houses. No one proposed such an edict for this war precisely because it was clear it would not be a group effort. No House aided Aquitaine in the capture of Valencia or Bordeaux, just as none will aid us at Pamplona, just as none aided us at Marseille or Zaragosa, or Bern when I withdrew from the walls there.
Instead House Aquitaine won a great prize for France by ransoming the Moorish Sultan, a prize which has already been used to enrich the lands of all Houses. If you call on Aquitaine to sacrifice for the other Houses I say we have done so already, in war, in finance, and in territory, as it was Valencia which was traded for Caen, and Caen surely shall not be awarded to House Aquitaine.
Valencia and, God willing, Pamplona will be yours to dispose of as you wish my King, as Bordeaux is now. Ever and always may it be so, but surely all present can see the rightness of my words. To beggar my House in favor of the others does no service to either, for it demeans them while disheartening us. If you wish to weaken Aquitaine to prevent envy let me suggest that you simply hold Valencia or Pamplona in your own domain for a time, to give the others a chance to catch up if they like.
Louis' voice ends on an almost plaintive note, and his face shares Yvon's discomfort.
Seneschal, I hope you will allow the recruitment of some additional soldiers to ward off the Moorish army that could strike at Provence or Burgundy. It seems to be quite a beastly collection of heathens, one I would wager to be thrice the size of my own forces.
Also, word has reached me that his highness the Dauphan has spoken recently of his aid to Bourgogne. I must confess I was confused by this, as it was the first time I had ever been informed such aid ocurred. It is quite odd that I would not notice such a thing, even in my small domain.
*Henri stands and takes a deep, cleansing breath before speaking*
My Lords, My King and Father,
I feel I must speak of the Crusade and the options ahead of us. I feel wholly responsible for this current situation as it was I who put forth the approved Edict for a Crusade on the Moors…I had hoped that the Popes issues with the English would have been resolved either by act of war, crusade or God by the time such an Edict would be considered.
It is to my disappointment that we find ourselves in the situation where we are considering abandoning our Godly task against William.
The Moors are a threat, perhaps the greatest we face or any Catholic nation faces. However, I must say now that our priorities must be defence of our realm and the completion of our task against William before a Crusade against the Moors should be called.
We must ensure we are focused in our task to force William face God and repent. How this is done is immaterial to God, by the sword or by persuasion but account he must before we abandon our call to arms against his realm.
I ask the King and Duc’s under threat now to show patience. A crusade must, of course, be called against the Moors but let us complete one task before we embark on another, epic, one? The East is not secure…the German army marching to Antwerp is surely testament to that…but by conquest and negotiation I hope we can bring our war with the Germans to a close in the next few seasons.
Likewise, William cannot hide in Nottingham much longer and again, we will seek and come to terms with the English.
I plead with the council for patience. If we do not wait and bring our full force against the Moors, I fear we will suffer greatly. However, our immediate needs are clear. Complete our task in England as fast as God permits…raise troops to defend ourselves from the Moors who impinge on our sovereignty and hold our borders until a Crusade can be sent to defeat the Moors in their own lands.
I do not believe my father requires much more for the task against William and I will not require much more than I have to secure the North Eastern front. So I ask now, Duc’s…what forces to you need now to combat this immediate threat?
Be clear on your requests and consider what you have now already which may be excess and can be used already.
Henri sits with a sigh. A weight lifted from his soul perhaps
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Metz stands ready to reinforce those who need it. I also ask the King to place Staufen and other powerful Castles in the Demesne at my disposal to shore up our defenses. This will be particularly important if Aquitaine needs more men.
I have in the past spoken out against more recruitment, but given the circumstances, now is not the best time for restraint. I will not bankrupt the Kingdom, but I will loosen the purse strings.
Prince Henri raises a good question. There seems to be a rough consensus towards a Crusade on the Moors, but the timing of such is still in question.
Should it be called immediately, next season, or once we have disentangled ourselves from Germany and England?
Hearing both Henri and Hugues speak, Philippe adresses the Conseil.
I hereby give permission to the Senechal to recruit any units he deems necessary to the good conduct of our wars from the castles and cities in the King's Demesne (OOC : This overwrites any SOT proscriptions).
All I would ask of him is a fair assessment of the needs and priorities of the Houses, to preserve the equilibrium I mentioned earlier.
I myself have enough men under my command to bring down Guillaume and any of his minions that would wish to raise their swords against us, though my army is lacking in missile infantry, having left them in the care of my son Henri in the Eastern theater.
Henri, never have I mentioned not bringing Guillaume to justice, to account before God for his sins, to repent for all the wrongs he's done France and Scotland, refusing to heed God's word.
I'm sure that if our Senechal could send our spy Fevre in Nottingham, the castle could be ours by next season, provided he manages to bribe the right men in the garrison... Then Guillaume would either be our prisoner or burning in the fires of Hell.
Then the Crusade could be called next season to the target this assembly would see fit to choose and once again, I'll promise you I'll be the first to take the banner of the Cross and march against the followers of Islam, and I'll encourage all of you not otherwise engaged to do the same.
We never intended to hold the English lands we claimed in Albion so they will not require garrisoning. But it will require that one of our diplomats be sent towards London, York or Caernarvon to negotiate a truce and the return of said settlements.
A last word to the Senechal : Be wary not to hire too many men yet for I'm sure that our call to Crusade will see many men flock to our Banner, under the Cross, good soldiers and pilgrims alike, that will bolster our forces when we march against the Moors.
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Father, I could not ask for more at this juncture. I am certain the Seneschal will do as he pledges and allow sufficient recruitment immediately to ensure the integrity of our lands, whilst also allowing for those who will heed the call to our Crusade that will come.
I would still prefer us to have come to terms with the Germans also, but I hold by your will and your instructions my King.
I urged us all to decide when and where to call a crusade only after William has been dealt with..such a call was not directly aimed at you father, for I was certain of your drive in this matter but mainly aimed at those who worried that we would be distracted by the Moors too early.
With a united France there will be nothing to stand in our way…I await the day when this is finally true, soon it appears from reports I am happy to add.
Henri turns to the Seneschal My lord, we’ll have to see how much more manpower is truly required in the East to force a truce…not much I am sure by my part. I would prefer not to use mercenaries but until later that may be the only option open to many of us near the front for true re-enforcements might take too long to reach us. I will review my forces and put forth a formal request shortly for you to review.
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Seneschal, I hope you will allow the recruitment of some additional soldiers to ward off the Moorish army that could strike at Provence or Burgundy. It seems to be quite a beastly collection of heathens, one I would wager to be thrice the size of my own forces.
Also, word has reached me that his highness the Dauphan has spoken recently of his aid to Bourgogne. I must confess I was confused by this, as it was the first time I had ever been informed such aid ocurred. It is quite odd that I would not notice such a thing, even in my small domain.
Duke Raymond it is very odd that you didn't notice me defeating a German army in your territory or dedicating some Mounted Sergeants to your own army. Perhaps your attention was drawn to something in your town, where you were sitting with more men and resources than I had at the time, or perhaps you are simply being snide because you lack any other response?
If you need help with the Moors you may ask House Aquitaine.
Alain, bedecked in black and white trimmed armour has clearly seen action. He makes his way to the centre of the council, his hand resting on the bloody hilt of his long sword.
My King, Dauphin, Lords of France.
The realm of France is once more whole.
All English troops on our ancestral lands have been slain.
Prince Rufus was killed in action and Angers taken.
Ah ! Alain ! I find once again the young man I thought you were !
As I told my son, I cannot give you Angers yet... It will in the King's Demesne for now to allow our Senechal easier access to our recruitment pool.
Nevrtheless, your men are free to come and go in an out of the castle without any risk of being seized or disbanded. You have my word on that.
Last edited by _Tristan_; 10-08-2009 at 20:33.
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Philippe turns to the Senechal, a smile still on his lips.
May I ask the Senechal to recruit one unit of armoured spearmen in Caen to free the spear militia currently garrisoning the castle ? While it will be a costly expense, it will save us florins in years to come by sending the militia back to Paris... Thus both units will be sustained by the respective populations of the provinces (OOC : They'll both have free upkeep).
Last edited by _Tristan_; 10-08-2009 at 21:14.
King Baldwin the Tyrant, King of Jerusalem, Warden of the Holy Sepulchre, Slayer of Sultans in the Crusades Hotseat (new write-up here and previous write-up here) Methodios Tagaris, Caesar and Rebelin LotR Mexica Sunrise: An AztecAAR
My hand is forced by the Germans now, I must face the large army arrayed against me. It is clear that this force is the one my scouts noted outside Magdeburg and that is has been re-enforced by garrison troops from the same city.
This now means I cannot turn West to defend Antwerp.
Should I have any troops left after the battle I will march immediately towards Hamberg. The intention is to seize Hamberg and then move to Magdeburg and do the same as soon as possible. I hope that the addition of Magdeburg to your negotiations will be sufficient to tip the scales to a peaceful resolution.
That “strong negotiating position” you required perhaps? Draining troops from both Hamberg and Magdeburg to create the army that now faces me and the one threatening Antwerp has left both settlements wide open for us.
Perhaps the Frankfurt Garrison could march on Magdeburg now?
I formally request funds to hire a single mercenary infantry company for the battle ahead. They will be disbanded as soon as Hamberg is taken however as I hope to recruit locals and replenish my own forces from the castle itself.
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Henri reads to the end of the Seneschals report and snorts with derision as he reaches the end sentence but he composes himself before rising and bowing to the Seneschal
My Lord Champagne,
Thank you for the floins, I hope that I will be able to refund the treasury with a ransom payment shortly should the Germans wish to see their son’s again.
I sincerely pray we are still set on a crusade against the Moors though! Just because they are no longer an immediate threat does not mean they still do not threaten Valencia, it does not mean that they do not actively attack our Catholic brothers in Italy and that they will not pose a real and constant threat to our nation, its people and our eternal souls.
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"I will march on Magdeburg this season and the fall of the place will certainly bring the new kaiser to the bargaining table, especially once good Prince Henri has rid the foe from our lands.
I do request from the Seneschal permission to raise one company of mercenary crossbows to guarantee victory. The expense of their hire is not cheap I understand, but if it brings about peace with the empire, is it not worth it?"
Baron, you have a company of peasant archers on the way to you, and you already have some crossbowmen. Make do with that. Prince Henri is facing worse odds, which is why he is getting those spearmen.
Hugues, if you keep up with your drumming, I think I will have you impeached and enlisted in my army as master drummer.
More seriously, the Bastard has no guts... He fled north from our advance but that will not save him... We'll flsuh him out of the last rathole he can find in his country... We'll cut off all of his exits... He'll be trapped, forced to fight or surrender.
To those ends, I will strike at the large force barring our way near Nottingham and try and capture the city in the following days.
After that I'll release from my service those Order knights who do not wish to pursue Guillaume up north, freeing them to strike at either London or the small English forces entrenched in the countryside.
I will face Guillaume by myself... Once this has been dealt with, we'll put our Crusade to better use against the true threat of Islam.
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Duke de Rohan my congratulations on your conquest! I trust you have received the wine I sent north to Anger in celebration? The Kingdom of the Franks is whole once more! Let us raise a cheer for our King, his Dukes, and all the fighting nobles of the realm!
To return, for a moment, to the matter of Bordeaux I do still wish to reward my loyal servant. I understand the issue of recruitment, and to appease this desire I offer to open Bordeaux and Toulouse for recruitment for any House at the Seneschal's discretion after the transfer of Bordeaux is effected. I ask only that the first Mailed Knights recruited be sent to Thomas de Saint-Armand as I have committed.
It would seem William has become a coward in his dotage. Sir de Perrone and I have discovered that the bulk of the English at Pamplona have fled to the docks, seemingly hoping to get away by ship. They take the spirit of their King very well, but I doubt any will escape.
I am very pleased to hear that a Crusade will come against the Moors! As soon as it is declared I will prevail on my men to open all training facilities in House Aquitaine as a whole to the Seneschal for the recruitment effort, as Toulouse will be opened once Bordeaux is assigned to Aquitaine.
Brother Henri please take great care in the east! We've room to withdraw and rearm on that front, indeed if the threat to Antwerp is serious that may be the best course. I am not present and will not second guess your assessment, but the Germans have been defeated so many times it would surprise me if there was any boldness left in their commanders.
I thank you for your concern brother but the Germans force my hand by displaying a large army within a league of me! I cannot back down from the challenge or the chance to not only obtain a clear path to Hamberg and clear this army from others way to Magdeburg but cut off supplies and retreat for the German army at Antwerp.
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"It is indeed a glorious time, highness. I have every confidence that Prince Henri shall sweep the enemy from the field."
Thomas reaches for his cloak off of the bench.
"As for me, it is time for my return to Frankfurt and prepare to head east. The church which the Seneschal kindly funded there is well under way now."
"Mon duc, as you say, I shall make due. My apologies if I have been overly demanding in my requests for troops. With so many Germans about, it tends to make one uneasy."
*Henri bursts into the chamber, bloodied and soiled, grabs the nearest goblet of wine and throws it down his throat*
GAH!! Ha! I met the enemy in the night, before me five companies of horse and SEVEN..SEVEN companies of archers and crossbowmen...and those were but the ones I cared to count. My own men accounted for more than ten dozen of the enemy. Exhausted we became victors of that field my Lords.
I offered, for a mere 1330 florins, for the Kaiser to have much of his army back but he refused. Their heads now adorn spikes near the forest.
Those that fled, for we were to tired to contine the pursuit, have found their way to Hamburg castle and my men continue our march there...now only half a league away across the ford.
My dear Seneschal, I'm sorry to say that the mercenary spearmen are mostly dead and my forces are down to two companies of spear, one mercenary and one of brave French and one company of peasant archers...and my own body guard, but we continue forward to attemp to seize Hamburg next season.
Now, I believe I need to wash...
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I congratulate Prince Henri, my Duc, my sovereign the King and many other nobles for their great victories. It is an honour to serve beside you.
I am deeply disappointed that a crusade has not yet been called on the English as per Edict 1.3. I understood it was the King's intention that we go to war under the banner of a crusade or not at all. We voted for a crusade. We gathered for that purpose. But now it seems to have been abandoned for no good reason that I can see.
Nonetheless, I will serve my King and my Captain as required. Should any crusade be called upon the Moors, I would ask the Seneschal to follow a procedure similar to Edict 1.3 and opening the crusade to any nobles wishing to serve, and allowing them a place in the final assault. Needless to say, I would wish to fight alongside those fine men.
*Henri returns to council seemingly more refreshed*
My lords,
I have made it know I will besiege Hamburg as soon as my forces can arrive at the city. We do face significant odds as the garrison now comprises some 500 men.
This is unfortunate.
I ask the Seneschal if there is any assistance he can provide me in this venture. For an assault on a castle I will need more fighting men, the enemy comprises mainly archers and cavalry however so once we are past the walls the fighting should be in our favour.
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Re: Conseil du Royaume
Gaetan enters, flanked by two men, one older, with years of wisdom upon his face and in his step, and the other with the look of youth, recklessness, and a bit of mischievousness, a seemingly perpetual knowing smile upon his face.
"Pamplona has been taken - the English army of 1300 strong vanquished for a mere 200 French lives. But in this noble conquest, a most heroic victory, one amongst us has given his life for the cause of the Royaume - Baron Yvon Lacaze."
"He died a noble death - bringing the huge swarms of English cavalry to heel, and in doing so insured French victory! Few men would have held as fast as Yvon had that day upon the field - I doubt few men here would have died so nobly in the face of death, would have so steadfastly died for the rest of the Royaume..."
"I ask that we give a moment of silence, of respect, in honor of this hero of the Royaume."
Re: Conseil du Royaume
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Micheal D'Anjou
Originally Posted by Cecil XIX
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