Conseil du Royaume

[Braden]

Council,

My scribes have discovered the exact time and period where Frankfurt was confirmed as part of Lorraine and therefore was then officially handed to Thomas before his demise by the then Duc of Lorraine.

Sorry father but I feel your silence means you have accepted that I am correct and always have been.

[Cecil XIX]

Duc Raymond rises to speak.

Prince Henri, I hope you will forgive this ignorant man, for I cannot see how the fact that Franconia is a part of the Duchy of Lorraine undermines the Kings arguement.

For the benefit of discussion, allow me to quote Rule 3(d).

Raymond recites the rule, placing emphasis on certain parts.

3(d) - Wills & Inheritance: Upon the death of a noble his land goes to the highest member of his feudal chain. If he is independent the land goes to the King. All land in the King's Demesne is passed to the new King. Duke's can pass on their rank to a House member of their choosing, by naming a successor in a valid will. Wills must be PMed to Zim before the Avatar’s death to be considered valid. If a Duke dies without naming a successor, the King picks the successor from among the highest ranked Nobles in their House.

Given this rule, I would say the King's argument is that both Franconia and Swabia defaulting to himself, due to the fact that they were in Duke Thomas's personal desmense at the time as his death. As such, the fact that Franconia was under Duke Thomas's suzerainity at the of his death seems to be consistent with the Kings actions.

[Ituralde]

But doesn't the land only fall to the King if the deceased noble is indepedent? Duc Thomas wasn't independent, he was a member of the Hosue of Lorraine, as was Prince Henri at the time of death. So Prince Henri was the only member of Duc Thomas feudal chain, making him the highest ranking one he would have gained all that land.

Really these matters of bureaucracy are tedious affairs for lawyers and paper pushers. I'll hope we can resolve this quickly!

[shlin28]

The Baron entered the Conseil, ignoring those why eyed him with either admiration or distrust.

Apologies, my King, I was delayed by some drunken revellers at the notorious Tavern, the reputation of which I am sure everyone here is aware of. It seemed that some patrons of that establishment found me quite fascinating - forcing me to recount my mundane exploits in battle a dozen times.

As for the matter at hand, allow me to first state that I, Villain de la Salle, did not contact either the noble Prince Charles, or my own Duc, Prince Henri, to discuss the… adoption of myself into the Royal family. Nor did I use bribery or blackmail to achieve that – those who insinuated that I, a minor noble of fine reputation, or either of the two Princes, would sink that low to deal with mere familial matters, are sadly mistaken.

Secondly, I do not dispute the King’s objection. Legally, according to the laws of the land, he did and still owns the lands around the settlements of Frankfurt and Staufen. I have only one minor quibble regarding this matter, a minute observation which the King will no doubt refute in his infinite wisdom, for his knowledge of the law is immeasurable, unlike mine.

It has come to my attention that although the King owned the two settlements named, they were and are still under the de facto control of the Duchy of Lorraine. They are justly governed by men under Lorraine’s employ, and are garrisoned by troops of Lorraine who would have been in better use on the battlefield against the Germans.

How can this be? These lands should be rightfully governed by the King’s men – to place troops under the control of a mere Duchy in a settlement under the King’s rule, as well deciding on matters of buildings and recruitment when they have no right to, is a travesty and an insult against our wise King; as such, the entire Duchy of Lorraine must be punished! Their armies must be disbanded, their leaders sent to Paris to await the dispensation of the King’s justice!

Villain smiled broadly at the various states of shock on the faces of nobles around him.

Of course, I was perhaps taking it a bit too far. Yes, my Duchy was quite wrong in taking control of the two settlements; but surely, our wise King, who manages all of the various military and domestic affairs of the Realm from distant Albion, was able to send a message to my Duc informing us of the situation? If his Majesty could direct the recruitment of troops from England to Iberia, it should be simple to give us a warning over our misconduct over two whole settlements, which is far more important than recruiting a company of peasants in Metz, I am sure everyone here would agree.

His Royal Majesty, in his infinite wisdom, did not do so. Hence, he tacitly consented to my Duchy ruling the two settlements. So the King must have in the past somewhat agreed to Lorraine taking control of the two settlements, to revoke such a decision when Lorraine is at a time of crisis, when a slight mistake on our part would bring ruination to the efforts of the previous Ducs, is and would be catastrophic to France. Unless of course, I had misinterpreted the King’s actions? Perhaps his Majesty would enlighten me, and the rest of the Conseil, as to why my King sought to undo Lorraine’s hard work at this critical juncture and why he sought to revoke his previous decisions?

Do note that, I do not argue this because it would benefit me; rather, I argue this because by taking lands that are ruled for all intents and purposes by Lorraine away from my Duchy, I believe it would fundamentally weaken it, leading to further German transgression on our soils.

Furthermore, if it would satisfy everyone here… I am willing to refuse the adoption offer. This issue, which I did not even create, had brought much strife to the Realm, and if this one action could undo them, I would gladly make such a choice.

Villain returns to sit with his brothers from the Duchy of Lorraine, his face impassive.

[Cecil XIX]

Sir Simon, as a Duke myself I dearly want you to be correct. But after scanning the rules for where the word 'independent is mentioned, I find nothing to define the term. I have always assumed it meant one who swears allegiance directly to the King, regardless of rank.

Perhaps at the next session we can solve this by adding one simple sentence defining the term. It seems to me the issue is whether it does or does not include dukes, correct?

[Braden]

Henri smiles at Villains words before rising

It gladdens me that Simon de Montpierre has put into more coherant words my own reasoning behind this matter.

The young Duc of Lorraine was not "independant" as I was his vassal and Baron. It was my assumption, which was upheld by a good number of fellow nobles that such lands that the Duchy controlled would fall to the next Duc. By fate alone that was myself and it was the King himself who confirmed my rise to such a lofty title.

However, should the Law Givers of our lands believe otherwise I will uphold there opinions and I notice that Baron de Metz raises also a very valid point about the continuation of the Duchy's occupation and unilateral control of the provinces in question.

Henri sighs

Honestly my lords, this whole affair tires me. I continue to fail to see the Kings position or his objections to my brothers adoption of the Baron, a man who continues to serve his nation well and his Duchy even more. All this nonsense detracts me from my real task...defending our borders against a renewed and aggressive Germany.

As far as I can tell, all these wranglings achieve nothing and only delay and confuse those hoping to defend us from our enemies. I would have thought my father happy to have Charles granted a province by me, Charles stands to defend our Southern frontier and I have every faith in him for that task.

As for the Baron, again, he seems...like me somehow...been a victim of unfounded and deflamatory rumour. The fact that such "rumour", without proof, even found itself to the ears of my father is perhaps testiment enough that further action by me might be in order. One does not sully the name of a Prince of the Realm and expect him to accept that which is said without justice being sort?

Again though, this is another DISTRACTION and one I can ill-afford. I have an enemy to defeat, a frontier to secure and a future for my Duchy to confirm. If anyone wants me I am returning to MY Capital Frankfurt to help defend it from the Germans for there is no-one else who has thought it prudent to do so OTHER than the Duchy of Lorraine.

Henri raises both his hands, shakes his head, turns and just walks out

[Tamur]

Barthelemy scrambles aside as Henry sweeps past him going through the doors of the Conseil. He then ducks in and, noting a momentary silence, steps just into sight. His clothes show travel stains from the city streets.

My... my lords, I am honoured to be here and I...

He catches Louis' eye momentarily and gulps.

I hereby swear an oath of fealty to Charles of the Royal House, if he will have me.

[Ituralde]

You are correct Duc Raymond that the term independent is not defined. Nor is the term feudal chain or for that matter the term King or Duke. They are used however throughout our Charter in a certain way.

For example here:

(e) - Oaths of Fealty: Any Independent Noble may swear an oath of fealty to any Noble whenever he wishes.

or here:

(b). - RGBs: Recruitable generals start off in the game as independent Knights, excepting the first two as per rule 2 (a). From this position they are free to remain independent or join any of the existing Houses.

So you are independent until you swear an Oath of Fealty. After which you are a member of a House and of the feudal chain of that House. Take for example myself, who has only sworn an Oath of Chivalry and follows the Oder of the Fleur de Lys. This would make me independent, but at the same time I follow our King. Without an explicit Oath as is written in our Charter.

King:
Requirements: Must be the in-game faction leader.
Influence: equal to authority stat.
Powers:
[...]
Penalties:
(1) Cannot hold any other feudal rank except that of Chancellor.
(2) Cannot swear an Oath of Fealty to another Senator and cannot have any Vassals.
Inheritance: On the death of a King, all Oaths of Fealty pertaining to the Noble who is now King are instantly broken, with no penalties. The new King takes control of any provinces in the King's Demesne, as well as retaining those under his control at the time of his ascension. If he was Duke of his House, his named heir for that post attains the rank. In the absence of a named heir, the second in charge of the House becomes Duke.

OOC:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

This is truly as far as I want to take the argument IC. Once we start discussing whether all the nobles of the Realm are vassals of the King it gets absurd. Yes we are vassals of the King in the historical IC sense, but we are not vassals of the King when it comes to the OOC game rules of Houses and feudal chains.

[OverKnight]

Chretien takes in the scene with hooded eyes.

It's odd that the issue of Prince Henri's ownership of Staufen was not questioned until he disposed of the land in a way that displeased his Majesty.

He briefly touches a locket hanging from his throat.

Of course none of this kills Germans, perhaps we should focus on the barbarians at the gate?

[Ibn-Khaldun]

I hereby accept your Oath, Barthelemy de Soissons!

Charles nods to Barthelemy smile on his face..

[_Tristan_]

The King enters the Conseil, with a dark and brooding look.

My sons, my Lords,

Though I have been away to deal with some matters of state, your exact words have been reported to me.

First, let me state, Henri, that my silence was never an acceptance of your position but simply due to circumstances that kept me from these chambers.

You pretend to have the law in your favour but you simply twist it so. The main problem comes from the fact that your Duke died without a valid will. In doing so, he prevented you from inheriting his lands on his deathbed. For our Charter states that lands of a noble should go the the highest noble of his feudal chain but that only means that should one of his vassal had died in his stead, the Duke would have inherited those lands.

This rule has been made part of our charter so that our Duchies retain some structure with the passing of their lower members.

But this rule doesn't mean that on the death of the Duke, his lands pass on to its highest ranking vassal. This was not the intent of our Charter.

So though I gave you late Duke Thomas' title, his lands are forfeit to you, for lack of a stipulation in your favour. Hence these lands revert to the King's Demesne.

In the light of your good service for the Royaume, and with the fact that you made Frankfurt your capital, I hereby officially confirm its ownership to you and your Duchy.

As to the de facto holding of the Ducal lands and thus their de facto ownership, no such things exist in our charter. Neither do the men serving under your orders truly are yours : do you pay for their wages out of your pockets ? Doesn't our treasury provide for them ? Haven't I diverted large sums from the treasury to help you hold the border against the Reich ?

I see no ill-conduct in Lorraine's men being the stewards of lands that belong to the King. It is a sensible way of governing. And I do not see how the fact I'm reclaiming my rights to Staufen endangers your Duchy as you seem ready to part with it, so easily.

Furthermore, I do not see how giving Staufen to your brother would strengthen your southern border. The Duchy of Bourgogne is already doing its work in holding off the Germans at Bern and could also help deal with them at Staufen, should it prove necessary. Neither is the birth of another Duchy necessary.

Had Charles acted any other way but as a spoiled brat, I might have considered making him Duke of Albion so that I could leave this islands under his protection, but his blunt way of asking wohtout having once proven his valour almost had me sent back to his nanny for manner lessons.

Now, we finally come to the adoption. I do not see the point in bringing Sieur de la Salle into our family. Though the man clearly has merits, he is not the only one so deserving. He's not even truly willing to be part of us, as he stated clearly before this body.

So, not being the rightful owner of Staufen, you have no right to give it to your brother. So will your brother now accept to accept your vassal into the family ?

I'll see what your brother has to say to this.

(OOC : This post should come before the adoption. Hence, we'll go back to the previous save or go on with the current one depending on whether Ibn confirms it or not).

[Braden]

Father,

I assume that you have consulted with the Law-Givers of our land and as I have stated before I bow without issue to the law of the land if you have done. ((OOC: Got details from Zim on how he wants this to go))

I see that you have no issue with me or my Duchy from your words as before I believed this to be so. I thank you for your clarification.

As to Staufen, again I assume that you wish my Duchy to maintain its defence for this time? We will do so now as we ever have.

I thank you for confirming Frankfurt within the Duchy of Lorraine also.

As to what my brother will do is entirely to him. I offer him a place within the Duchy of Lorraine, again, if he wishes it and he need not swear fealty to me or any other within the Duchy. Such a pledge by me will allow him, in a short time perhaps, to have a province of his own to govern and prove himself and eventually a Duchy of his own…if ratified…without needing to break any oaths.

Baron de la Salle is currently content I believe though he was, of course, ecstatic at the prospect of joining our family and the benefits it could give him in the future. He will be upset should my brother now refuse the offer but that is my issue to address thereafter.

As to the issue of coin, Lorraine adds to the coffers as do all Duchies and I do not believe we have taken more than our share as Duc Thomas once pointed out. War is an expensive business and the quicker we can bring this one to a beneficial conclusion the better.

I rest the issues now, as I believe they has been addressed to as amicable conclusion as they could be.

((OOC: EDITED as this is still "up in the air" due to neededing OOC clarification that there has been an official ruling from Zim))

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Spoiled brat? Asking without proving my valour?

But how can I prove myself if I don't have assets and settlements for that? Should I ride alone against German or Danish army?

I wanted to prove myself and I only needed one settlement to that!

But now I don't know what I should do since to you, father, my requests are the requests of "spoiled brat".

Charles shakes his head and sighs...

I'll go and join Henri in east. At least I know there I am welcomed...

Charles stands and leaves the council..

[Braden]

An old scribe enters the chambers flanked by the tall English bodyguard of Henri


*cough* “Erm…my..er…Lords gathered hence…” the scribe reads from several parchments

“…err…I have been asked to bring to the Conseil’s notice the written record of the chambers of 1110 as entered into the records by the Kings own Herald….”

*cough* “…and it states…” he peers at the parchment before continuing

By the will of Philippe, King of the Franks,

En reconnaissance of his vassals' efforts in bringing down the enemies of France, His Majesty King Philippe hereby endows :

To the House of Bretagne, the castle of Angers, a poor compensation for the loss of Robert Bouchart;

To the House of Aquitaine, the castle of Bordeaux, again a poor compensation for the loss of a valiant vassal;

To the House of Bourgogne, the castle of Bern, for the support of the House in the wars;

To the House of Lorraine, the castle of Staufen, as reward to Senechal Hugues de Champagne, for the tremendous work done during his term;

After consultation with the Royal lawyers, His Majesty announces that the castles of Pamplona and Valencia and the city of London do not meet the legal requirements to be considered ratified and will need to be in the coming Session of the Conseil.

His Majesty further announces that the castle of Nottingham and the cities of York and Nuremburg are to remain in the King's Demesne. His Majesty wishes to thank the Senechal for his efforts in taking the latter but feels it may be essential in negotiating a truce with our Imperial neighbours.

L'an de Grâce 1110,

Sealed with the King's Seal

Par la Grâce de Dieu,

Philippe
Roi des Francs

“…you will note My Lords that the Castle of Staufen was granted fully to the Duchy of Lorraine by this declaration. My master Prince Henri would like it known that the Duchy of Lorraine has never been an independent Dukedom due to its extensive feudal holdings and vassals and therefore he humbly requests the Conseil disregard the Kings statements to the counter.”

With that the old man rolls up the parchments and withdraws from the chambers

[Ramses II CP]

Prince Louis has watched the debate over ownership, indepedence, and vassaldom with a puzzled look on his face. On hearing his brother's most recent statement he pauses for a moment to try to read back over the record. With a look of faint disgust he then rises and speaks,

Noblemen of France it distresses me that we have stretched reason so outrageously with the crude intent of opposing the will of our King. I have a feeling we could pay a fleet of lawyers a King's ransom and get back an answer no more clear than 'maybe' at the end of it. My opinion, frequently heard I hope, is simply that this body and it's laws exist to enact the will of the King rather than subvert that will...

Louis bows to his father before continuing,

Nonetheless the interests of not one but two Princes of the realm now seem to lie athwart that expressed Royal will. Let me suggest that rather than strive against their father and King my two brothers seek a way to make this deal more palatable to him. Perhaps a suitable gift, or assurances of some other kind?

The campaign in Iberia has cleansed my health greatly; it is a boon to fight heathens for whose souls no care need be taken. I pray that we can bring an end to our wars against Christians, one way or another, and carry the fight into alien lands in the coming years. My heart tells me there is a danger in Islam greater than any squabble betwixt Catholics.

Louis returns to his seat with a troubled, contemplative look on his face.

[Braden]

Henri has returned to the chambers. He is clearly healthy and in good mood, he wears no armour and is dressed well but plainly. On hearings Louis' words he softly shakes his head before rising

My Lords, Louis

My scribe was merely tasked to locate a document most of us already knew existed and the answer was clear and honest...I see no argument here.

Still, I agree with you Louis, we are here to abide by the law the King has set out and I have reminded us all here of what this particular law...that the King put in writing...said.

My father does not rule by tyranny or fear. He rules by upholding the laws he gives to us. All good people may err on occasion, even a King, and it is our duty as Duc's, members of the Conseil or indeed Princes to ensure such is redressed with honour.

Had our father approached me with a reasonable alternative or an argument I could understand for his actions rather than just presuming he could take property from a Duchy then it is likely I would have compromised. You know me...this I would have done.

If the King has concerns about me and how I rule my Duchy, then he can approach me and I will swear by any means needed to negate such concerns for I am loyal to France and the King. Fact is that no such fears or worries have been expressed, thus I cannot address them. I am unsure what a mere Prince could "gift" to a King such as ours that could impress him at all?

However, I say this...

Henri takes pains to look at the conseil and the King finally

...I remind everyone that I have said that the Duchy of Lorraine will not suffer the German incursions past this next year if negotiations fail again. We will go on the offensive and I say to my King and father that perhaps Nuremburg, Magdeburg and Hamburg might be a gift suitable for him? I say here, publically that the Duchy will strive to take all these places and that they will be willingly given to the King to do as he pleases...including negotiations for Peace. I cannot see any other assurances or "gift" that I can give.

On happier news, your latest defeat of the Moors gladdens me greatly. I would hope again that in the next session we will call for a Crusade against a worthy and un-Christian foe such as them for such is long overdue now.

Henri smiles and returns to his seat

[Braden]

The Herald of Prince Henri enters to address the Conseil

My Lords, my King,

As you are aware, Prince Henri cannot attend at this time besieged as he is within the walls of Frankfurt. However such missives he is able to pass through the German lines I have been bidden to advise the Conseil of.

The Prince assures the Conseil and King that he has instructed Brother de Beauvais of the Order that he has “free hand” to deal with the Germans threatening Antwerp and that he feels there are sufficient troops to defend the city. Further assistance will be made available with the release of the Order’s forces near Frankfurt later this season should it be required.

My master has also instructed the Order to lead the forces of Lorraine to the defence of Frankfurt and predicts a swift victory.

Prince Henri thanks the King personally for fulfilling such troop requirements as was possible in Frankfurt and Metz this last season, and again reminds the King of his Loyalty to the Crown and his pledge to force the Germans to Peace if needed although he wishes the Kings diplomats well in their current dealings.

The Prince will address recruitment requirements soon, potentially after the battle, but is likely to request a Priest is trained in Frankfurt this season to address the needs of the local population who have been sorely tried and pillaged by the German forces for so long. He also requests that should there be any French Priests of note that can be made available for the East it would be well received by the common folk.

Once the immediate issue of the defence of Frankfurt is addressed Prince Henri will redress his forces and embark to cleanse the Duchy of Lorraine of German forces, to do this he feels he requires no extra forces at this time from Frankfurt and strongly feels the people of the Duchy need relief from the Duchy once the German threat is dealt with.

I thank you.

[_Tristan_]

Having listened to Henri' herald, Philippe speaks to the man.

Convey this message to my son Henri, if you manage to break the Reichlanders' siege and get back into Frankfurt.

Tell him I have never questioned his loyalty nor that of his House. Those have been proven countless times on the filed of battle.

It is rather his judgment I questioned and the manner he had of conducting his business. Behind my back without giving me any notice of what he had in mind, business that could have dire repercussions for our Royaume.

And all for what ? For indulging the whims of a spoiled child who doesn't even know where his place is ?

I do not like the way this business was conducted... It casts both of my sons in a poor light, unworthy of King's sons.

[Braden]

Shocked at being approached directly by a King the Herald is taken a-back but listens carefully before bowing and responding

Of course my King, you have my word on my life this will be done. I am certain that my Lord will be more than happy to hear from you and to respond with kindness and loyalty.

[Ramses II CP]

Prince Louis, dressed for travel, enters the chamber and announces in an angry tone,

I commanded the mercenary fleet under my control to drive back the English ships and restore the blockade of Iberia, but they have failed and withdrawn with half their number lost. I suggest that the remainder be...

A black look of fury momentarily descends across the Prince's face before he masters himself and turns it into a grim jest,

Well, I suggest that the bloody fools be executed, but I suppose releasing them from their contract will have to do (OOC: Disband them if you like Seneschal). They're useless now, I've no need to sail anywhere and they obviously can't fight. With the blockade thrown down and unknown quantities of Moors still marauding through Portugal and Spain I am faced with the choice of withdrawing my army or proceeding ahead of plans with a siege. I have decided to go on the offensive. The last small Moorish armies in the Cordoba region have been cleared away and now siegeworks are being prepared outside the city.

I fully expect large armies to be moving north out of Africa in support of our foe so I pray that the siege can be completed quickly. Mon Roi I vow I will not make the same error I did at Bern; our main camp lies across the river from Cordoba and none shall take the bridge by surprise. The Moors have shown themselves to be cowards thus far, I fully expect them to huddle down within the walls and beg their infidel god to save them.

I will pray for brother Henri! Good fortune men of France!

With a casual bow Louis departs the chamber.

[Tamur]

Barthelemy de Soissons enters the chamber, clumsily climbs to an outer seat, and sits. He listens for a few minutes, then when silence descends on the Conseil he stands in place.

The state of the Royaume could not be better, my good sirs. Just look around us!

The Germans, those beer-guzzling puddingheads, are no match for us on the field of battle. The infidel Moors play hide and run with Louis. The English and the vikings... *Barthelemy clears his throat and spits downward, then winces and shakes his right leg for a moment* ...mere nagflies.

With all this going well, what could be wrong? Why are our King and his sons at such odds?

*Barthelemy pauses and jingles a coin purse noisily.*

The royal treasury, my friends. That is the problem.

Our people pay their fair share of taxes. But we need gold. Only then will le Royaume be at peace, and the family we hold so dear can forget their troubles over land and position, with all else secured by a full and overflowing treasury.

So, let our armies go forth against the Germans and the heathens! Let us sack their cities, sell everything, and leave them desolate! Tens of thousands will flow into the treasury, and all our troubles will be forgotten as if they melted away like a dream.

Barthelemy sits and belches.

[_Tristan_]

A man richly clad in black walks into the Conseil. Those who have known him have trouble recognizing Arnaud de Vilaines, King Philippe’s shieldbearer and aide de camp such is the look of anguish upon his face. Bowing before the Speaker, he hands him a rolled parchment with a hand that is visibly shaking.

The Speaker slowly unrolls the parchment and starts reading it, his face blanching the furthest he reads. Having finished his reading, he lays down the parchment on his desk, grabs the goblet of wine lying on a side table and drinks it in one gulp, bringing colour back to his cheeks. He then stands, awkwardly, his legs seeming to barely sustain him and starts reading.

“From King Philippe, Par la Grâce de Dieu, Roi des Francs,

To his loyal and faithful subjects, either noble or lowly-born,

I am writing this as the light of my life wanes by the minute. Though I lay in bed, I do not suffer for I am not sick… It simply seems that God has judged that my time on this wretched Earth has been spent.

Do not mourn me, my faithful subjects… Though I am sad to leave you and not be able to see most of you a last time before I leave, I rejoice in the idea that I will finally be reunited with my beloved Bertrade and so many of our fine warriors fallen on the field through the years.

As I said, do not mourn me, for I have lived a full life… Full of battles, full of success… I have fulfilled most of my dreams for the Royaume… When I came to the throne, our Royaume was divided, our lands held by English hands.

Now, we have reclaimed those lands and have even brought war to the English Isles, making them our home away from home.

We fought hard, my subjects, but now we can finally rest and marvel at our own accomplishments : our Royaume extends to the confines of Germany, Iberia has been re-conquered from the Moors through our agency…

Still, I would not have been content had I left a kingdom at war for my sons to rule. Hence, these last few months our diplomats on my urgings have appealed to the rulers of our neighboring kingdoms and I am glad that my sons will perhaps be able to finally know peace in their lives.

A ceasefire has been obtained with the Reich. It cost us Granada, which may have been lost to us through the riots and 10000 florins. Through our relationships remain strained with the latest Kaiser, his men-at-arms have almost all left our lands or are about to do so. The German presence in Iberia will serve as a bulwark against further Moorish incursions and will perhaps bring back faith in God for these lost souls. Perhaps have they been forced into this hard-earned truce by the threat of being taken between the Russian anvil and our French hammer ? For we have successfully obtained an alliance with the Csar. Our diplomat came to the Novgorod court with gifts to the amount of 3000 florins. Most of the gold has been smelted for the Russian war effort in their war against Poland. This is a matter my sons will have to consider in the near future.

The Pope has finally been reached by our diplomat and got a better reception by his Holiness than he had by his minions. We’re now allied to the Holy See, though we’ve had to offer alms to St Peter’s cathedrals for 1000 florins. Our leadership of Catholicism cannot now be contested.

As planned, Edinburgh has been surrendered to the Scots, our new found allies, but only after its military capability had been greatly reduced. I have been forced to sail back from the Highlands to Northumbria and it is upon my landing that this unsustainable tiredness fell upon me.
Unaware of my condition, the English have come to Nottingham ( OOC : Frankfurt in fact) with an offer for a ceasefire. They must have sensed that the tide of fortune was clearly against them and wished to retain their last holding on their island. We’ve bled them of 20500 florins and trade rights in exchange for our mercy.

Now, only the Danes and the Moors remain at war with us. Though the Viking will forever remain a threat due to their far-reaching naval invasions, the Moors have been pushed back to the sands Africa, where they belong…

So, for the first time in years I can look upon my Royaume and see it as a Royaume at peace. This is the gift I make to you, Louis my son…

For now, it is my time for me to lay down the burden of the crown and deposit this burden upon your head.

My son, you’ve always served the Royaume as a true knight of France, fighting here and yonder. Now, may well be the time for you to lay down your sword and administer your heritage.

Work with your brothers Henri and Charles and not against them… Do not repeat the errors of Charlemagne’s heirs… Keep the Royaume whole and nothing will stand in your way… Divide it and my ghost will come to haunt you…

Now I will lay down my quill for my forces are leaving me…

Be strong, knights of France… Be proud…

Be…”

The Speaker stops in midsentence.

‘There is no more, mes Seigneurs…” he says, beckoning de Vilaines to step forward.

Arnaud de Vilaines obeys and bows before the assembly.

“Mes Seigneurs, our noble King Philippe died a week ago in Nottingham. He asked me to bring this letter to you as soon as it was finished. It never was… “

Now turning to the empty seat of the Dauphin Louis, Arnaud continues.

“A messenger has been dispatched posthaste to his Royal Highness Louis to bring him the terrible news. In the meantime, let me be the first to say “Le Roi est Mort !! Vive le Roi !! Vive le Roi Louis !!”

[Braden]

Henri looks to stand but clearly cannot, all colour has left his cheeks and a visible tear is in his eye. Steeling himself it manages to stand, just, and looks to his retainers. A cup of wine is given him, each retainer also garners a similar one. Henri raises his cup…

I pray my father, our King, greatest of any to have been gifted to our nation, finds a welcome embrace with my mother.

To his memory I say I know him as Philip the Builder, Philip the Unifier for we are now a unified nation under God. Also to this I now know him as Philip the Peaceful.

Peace has been attained! I thank and honour my fathers memory with that…what better lasting legacy could a man provide than security for his family? None I say, and to have done so without draining the Kingdoms funds at all…is another legacy of prudent management.

I say I also know him as Philip the Father and I loved him as a son should.

Hail Philip, King! God welcomes you!

Henri raises his cup and drinks…the call “God welcomes you!” is taken by Henri’s retainers and they also drink. Henri turns to Louis and raises his cup once more.

Hail Louis, King! May God guide you!

again, the ritual is repeated amongst the men of Lorraine but now empty the cups are raised high and thrown to the ground to smash into a multitude of pottery shards, then Henri bows to Louis before speaking again.

Brother and King, I salute you. Your fearlessness in combat is legendary and rightly so. I bow to thee as loyal subject and Prince.

[Tamur]

Barthelemy de Soissons dabs his eyes with a handkerchief, then waits for more noble persons than himself to say important things.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Huh.. This is .. unexpected...

Hail the new King.. and stuff.. I guess..

Charles, who entered just before the messenger, sighs and turns to leave seeing that there is nothing more for him to do in the Conceil...

[shlin28]

Villain mimicks Prince Henri's words and actions, before walking away to find another cup of wine.

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

Micheal walks in, face crestfallen


I have heard the news. I...... I am surprised. Philip had seemed to indomitable to me, a champion among us all destined to rule far beyond even my time. To hear him dead.......


Micheal shakes his head

But one can not get too caught up in such things. Long live the new King, King Louis!

[econ21]

Hermant nods sombrely as Michael speaks, then rises.

"We mourn the loss of our great King, Philippe. When we first gathered here after the grand tournament of 1080, we were young and eager to see our Kingdom made whole and restored. But even in our youth, we did not expect or dare hope for the dazzling success that our late King led us to. The mighty Holy Roman Empire humbled before us, the perfidious English reduced to a city state and the Moors cast back across the straits of Gibraltar. The common soldiers of France toiled and bled for these achievements, we can not take that from them. But our late King, Philippe, accounted for the lion's share of our victories, leading the brave sons of France to ever greater heights. He fought the good fight and is now called to serve in another place.

We now salute our new King, Louis. We solemnly pledge our fealty and devotion to you. Long live King Louis!"

[Ituralde]

He was a bastion of Chivalry in life and ever a shining beacon of nobility. It is only fitting that is last gift to us was peace in the East and in the North!

King Philippe is dead, long live King Louis!

[Cecil XIX]

King Philippe, having fought so valiantly agains the Germans and English has now obtained peace with them. To wreak such devestation against his enemies, while settling affairs before his tragic death, speaks of a man both valourous and responsible.

Long live King Louis VI! Here's to another prosperous reign!