Seneschal's and Nobles' Reports

[OverKnight]

Seneschal's Report for 1101

Please update your SOT posts.


Current Events

The English have stormed Edinburgh. After the English moved some troops out of the area, Prince Edmund counter-sieged.

The result of all this:

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The Pope has excommunicated the English! The old fogey has a quick draw when it isn't Germans.

Also Italy seems to be showing it's usual unity.

Speaking of shocking news from Italy, our own Princess Constance has robbed the cradle. . .I mean the Venetians of one of their Generals, Barbus Selvo, and taken him as a husband:

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The new happy couple already have a child:

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I'm not sure what my Duchy has to do with the new Princess, but the royal family is growing, if a bit gynocentric:

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Domestic Affairs

It was a slow year as florins were devoted to other areas: A small Church was completed in Marseille and a bowyer has been ordered for Metz.

Two of our priests are now in Cordoba, a third will join them within a season. Our last two priests are now near Dijon. Besides Zaragoza, this is our least Catholic province.


Foreign Affairs

After much discussion in the Conseil, a deal was concluded with the English:

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Caen is now in the Royal Demesne. Herve de Savoie, our only diplomat worth a damn, will be sent to negotiate with the Germans.

The Pope canceled his request for a Chapel in Valencia:

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But has called for another one:

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Our reputation with the Pope has risen to the heavens:

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I attribute this to the skilled diplomacy of the Princess, florins and our building of Churches. However, the Germans seem to rebuidling their reputation as well.

We even have a Cardinal in the Preferati:

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Military Affairs

Edit: The garrison of Valencia left the city when it was handed over to the English. I ordered them north into Aragon so as to avoid any violation of English territory. I believe they are now the King's men.

The smal Milanese forces that were within our borders are withdrawing back to the east. One is already gone, the other near our common border.

German forces seem to be massing at the ford southwest of Staufen.

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Unfortunately, if I attacked them there, we would be subject to excommunication. The Germans seem to be recovering their numbers. This bears watching.

A militia company, previously funded, was added to the Dijon garrison. This completes Duc Raymond's prioritizations.

A German fleet has sailed within range of Duc Alain's transports:

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The Duc is outnumbered 3 to 2.


Recommendations

Upper Rhine: The threat grows in the area, but cannot be reduced until they cross into our lands.

Lower Rhine: The number of German forces has grown in the area, but they are scattered. However, Franconia is a salient, so threats could come from multiple directions. An end run to Antwerp remains a possibility.

Wales/The Channel: Duc Alain, at least you can offload your men before deciding what to do with the fleet. The possibility exists that your vassals in Wales might be stranded. Perhaps they should march overland and then take ship to Calais?

Please bring any suggestions or comments to the Conseil.


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