Conseil du Royaume

[_Tristan_]

Mes Seigneurs,

What I hear in this Conseil makes me wonder if the nobility of France didn't have its brain addled by too many battles and suffered too many strokes to the head...

I've already stated my opposition to Edict 3.1 and the grounds on which I base such an opposition. Furthermore said Edict would require me to turn tail most dishonourably, something which I will not do.

On the matter of mercenaries, they are expedient. True they are onerous... But with that cost comes professionalism, something which our own army still lacks. Can we field crossbowmen other than poorly trained militia ?
As to thier loyalty, mercenaries are loyal to coin, so, as long as we cn provide they'll be loyal to us... And frankly, if they were not in our service, they would be in the service of our enemies as has been evidenced in Pamplona : where did you think the defenders got their reinforcements from ? I remember my son Louis wondering about the disappearance of the mercenary companies in Iberia... He ought to have look at our enemies' lines. The almost same thing happened here in England and was partly cause of the death of Robert Bouchart.

And as I said in the beginning, they are expedient. None of the proposed legislation takes into account the needs of our generals in the field. What if one general, at the front, needed some reinforcements with only mercenaries available and Louis' proposal was in effect, and his House had already received its quota ? Then he would be left stranded and certainly defeated and maybe killed ? What if riots threatened in one of our border provinces and the only ting that could restore order would be the recruitment and garrisoning of the city by some mercenay company ? Edict 3.4 would prevent this.

Edict 3.5 doesn't make much sense as it does not state its intent clearly. Why march against Edinburgh when the will of this august body is to abandon the British Isles to their own devices ?

Edict 3.3 is the only edicts which finds grace to my eyes. Though I'm not sure this is the correct course of action, it had least provides a sensible solution to our disentanglement from the Isles.

Thus, when I consider all that I've stated, and with no disrespect intended to my son Louis or Thomas de St-Amand, I will exercise my prerogative and nominate myself to the position of Senechal.

I expect the full cooperation of all Houses in the years to come and await your proposed legislation as to what you feel should be the course we must set in the next term for our Kingdom.

[Braden]

*Henri stands and looks at the gathered Council before he speaks his shoulders slump somewhat*

So, my King, this is your right of course and I will honour this.

*Clearly mixed emotions ride on Henri's face but he contains them and sits down*

[Ramses II CP]

Though it is not necessary I will withdraw my candidacy and issue my fullest support to my father. France will be in the best of hands!

I also wish to propose Edict 3.6

A Crusade shall be declared against the Moors within this Seneschal's term with the intent of reclaiming Iberia for Christendom. Provinces taken in the Crusade shall be considered ratified at the time of conquest. This edict recommends but does not require that the lands be returned to the Spanish.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

No!

I am against this "crusade"! Just like I said we should help Spanish with money rather than call a crusade. It's their land and not ours. If we go there with our armies then it will most likely worsen our relations with the Spanish kingdom!

Or is that what you want, Louis? First you go against the Moors and take their lands. After that you make the Spanish to attack us and take their lands as well? You are not religious person, that I know. So, I wonder why you want this crusade so much?

[deguerra]

I agree with both of you. I think a crusade, finally against a worthy opponent, is an effective measure. At the same time I think it should NOT involve more senseless land-grabbing such as is occurring in England despite all the many previous cries that it was only William we were after. HAH.

So Crusade yes, and return the lands to the Spaniards. Just as the English lands should be returned to a British sovereign, be he English or Scottish.

[TinCow]

*Christophe smiles wryly at Gontran de Linars.*

A most astute observation, sir. I would not wish my edict withdrawing France from those blasted rocks to be used as an excuse for further conquests there. I hereby adopt your suggestion and reword Edict 3.3 as follows:

Edict 3.3: All settlements in the British Isles currently controlled by France will be given to Scotland. The Seneschal must attempt to obtain an alliance with Scotland in return for these settlements. However, if the Seneshal determines that the Scots will not agree to an alliance, no matter how favorable the deal, the Seneshal shall give the provinces to Scotland for whatever deal benefits France the most.

Oh, and I also I hereby second Edict 3.2.

[deguerra]

In line with my above statements, I propose

Edict 3.7

If a Crusade is called on the Moors, via Edict 3.6 or otherwise, all lands conquered on the Iberian peninsula are to be returned to the Kingdom of Spain