Conseil du Royaume

[Braden]

My Lords and King,

I have reviewed the Duchy of Lorraine and find that we require more professional troops. Full disclosure has been sent to the King this morning, however the outline is thus.

If more professional troops are supplied we can relinquish our militia-men and allow them to return to tilling the fields or law and order duties with our cities.

Some true French mercenaries have reported to me and I have recommended their employment ((OOC: Frankish Knights – Foot and Horse)), for they are dispossessed and landless Knights of France.

A fort can be built do defend the crossing South East of Frankfurt also.

I will suggest further that two of the companies that may be released in this move can be handed to the Order of the Fleur De Lys to take with them on their journey.

[Ramses II CP]

Louis is busily engaged with numerous scribes and messengers coming and going, but he pauses a moment to address the various concerns raised in the chamber,

I have no opposition to the proposal of a Charter amendment creating a new House at the next normal Council session, which is not so far distant. At this time, however, I do not intend there to be any new proposal of law. I am not assuming a full term as Senschal, only completing the term my father began some years ago. New law will be duly considered after that term at the next normal Council session, and unless circumstances change both of these matters shall have my personal support.

(OOC: It isn't obvious how many turns remain since there was no election this period, does anyone know offhand? I can research it further later)

I am concerned over the extensive use of mercenaries in France, but I will consider your request brother. Perhaps if the training facilities of other Houses are combined we can make up a body of men sufficient to your purpose. To be perfectly blunt as King I mean to reorganize the armies of all the Houses into a more efficient force for national action. France is whole and hale, and it is time that we take up a greater purpose in the world!

(OOC: Unless someone else wants to contest the position tomorrow at around this time I'm going to put up a 'last chance to protest' post and give it 24 hours (It is a holiday in the US, I want to be fair), then Louis will assume the Seneschal's powers and take the save to move the game foward. That's ~10 am eastern US time on Sunday to get the save going.)

[Braden]

My King and Conseil,

Firstly I thank the King for his consideration of my request. I have, I must admit, welcomed the Mercenaries who have presented themselves to me mainly as they are, for a change, French ((OOC: Franks…this is KotF’s after all)) but I appreciate the issues at hand.

The crux of the matter is that the Duchy is willing to return her Militia troops to their previous positions as citizens in exchange for better trained troops…we would rather this was as swiftly as possible and as training for such troops is a good few seasons away from Frankfurt I felt the Frankish Knights the best option at the moment to help secure the East.

I leave that to my King to finally decide and dictate to me what he will have me do. I am at his disposal.

However, my Lords and King… I have an announcement to make.

Henri checks with a scribe who looks to another and receives a nod he passes on to Henri

…as of this Moment I am no longer Captain of the Order of the Fleur de Lys. That honour is now taken by Alexandre Le Sueur. May God guide him in his leadership.

My King, the Order of the Fleur de Lys is now fully ready for your instructions.

As to the matter of Laws, I agree fully. Now is not such a time but at least the Conseil is now aware of what is to be presented.

[Ramses II CP]

Hearing no dissent Louis symbolically raises a copy of the charter to his lips and kisses it on his assumption to the position of Seneschal.

I am grateful for this vote of confidence mes ami. Please update your official orders and requests as necessary with my office. France has lost her Lion, but she still will hunt her enemies and feed on their flesh!

[Braden]

Henri rises to address the Conseil

My Lords, my King and Seneschal,

At the Seneschals request I have reviewed Mercenary forces under the control of the Duchy of Lorraine, there are a good few in number but they fulfil roles that the Duchy cannot at this time replace in the main.

There is one company of spearmen that can be released who are currently under the command of my Vassal, André des Vaux, and one small group within the walls of Frankfurt which can also be released. However the greater numbers are of Crossbow companies, which the Duchy cannot replace at this time like-for-like.

If the Seneschal can locate and distribute like-for-like replacements for these troops the Duchy will be more than happy to release all of them as this will not effect our defences.

I ask that the Seneschal approves at least a company of spears to be raised in Metz as well as several companies of archers, if this is approved, I pledge that the Duchy will release the mercenary companies of spears and we will replace some crossbow companies with archers but we cannot replace them all as they server different purposes.

All this will be done next season should this be possible.

I am also concerned that there is a lack of cavalry in the Duchy and that only Metz can train light cavalry. This will be addressed in time I am sure however, and the Duchy will do what it can with the resources it has for now.

The Duchy has also commissioned and erected a fort South East of Frankfurt to defend the bridge over the Main river.

I have personally sent a request to my brother Villain that he refuse this latest request for family adoption, I feel, as the King does I am sure, that too many knights are seeking such a route to power now but the ultimate option to do so is fully in his hands and I ask the King to understand this should my brother accept it.

I have updated my orders instructions accordingly and have placed a request for a priest to be trained in Frankfurt this coming season as this was not effected in the previous term. A leather tanner is also requested for the end period of this term if possible for Frankfurt.

That is all,

Henri returns to his seat

((OOC: Some OOC stuff I’ll bring to the OOC thread also))

[Braden]

Henri stands to address the Conseil

My Lords and King,

In accordance to the wishes of the King and indeed, myself, I have instructed my brother Villain to reject this latest approach. We all grow bored with these attempts at self aggrandisement by these Knights. Perhaps Villain should duel them…that might dissuade any future, surviving, ones?

I have also requested that Count André des Vaux of Reims address the expansion of his city to the King directly.

Congratulations are in order for Pope Etienne; our new Pope and spiritual leader! I am certain we will all drink to his long health at the coming Winter Festival in our halls. It is a shame that worldly vices such as pride afflict our Catholic neighbours to such an extent that the Sicilians attack the Papacy army…likewise I am concerned that the Polish nation also feel aggrieved and with Lorraine bordering their nation I will move the Duchy forces accordingly to the border to monitor the situation.

I offer the services of the Duchy of Lorraine to help the King conduct his operations against the Danes if it is needed, to the extent that I would be willing to lead such an expedition should the House of Bretagne be unable to for whichever reason.

As to the issue of the Sicilians, I am sure this will interest my Brother Charles…perhaps he could lead an expedition to rout their forces and bring them into the Papacy fold once more should diplomatic means prove unsuccessful?

Henri bows to the Conseil and returns to his seat

[Ituralde]

A French Pope! It seems our efforts for the faith have been recognized by the Holy Sea. Now there's little standing in the way of further religious progress!

Simon smiles confidently.