Middle Ages: Interactive

**Ignoramus** · 12-19-2006, 01:33

Ruler: King Alfonso V

Units:
Jinettes(Light Javelin Cavalry)
Knights
Men at Arms
Asturian Footmen(Light Spearmen)
Archers

Can I see my opitions for decisions, please?

**Comrade Alexeo** · 12-19-2006, 06:22

OOC: Going to go with option 2 for now - "Nothing." Although I don't really like just doing "nothing" - can I at least increase border defences or something?

***

IC:

San Damaso Courtyard, Roma
6 May 1000

"Sir Johann von Coburg! Step forward! Schnell!"

"Jawohl herr Kommandant!"

And there he stood, resplendent in his silvered mail armor with the Imperial standard embalazoned on his black surcoat, waiting for the Archbishop of Frankfurt to speak thus:

"Ich schwöre, treu, redlich und ehrenhaft zu dienen dem regierenden Papst Silvestre Segundo und seinen rechtmäßigen Nachfolgern, und mich mit ganzer Kraft für sie einzusetzen, bereit, wenn es erheischt sein sollte, selbst mein Leben für sie hinzugeben. Ich übernehme dieselbe Verpflichtung gegenüber dem Heiligen Kollegium der Kardinäle während der Sedisvakanz des Apostolischen Stuhls. Ich verspreche überdies dem Herrn Kommandanten und meinen übrigen Vorgesetzten Achtung, Treue und Gehorsam. Ich schwöre, alles das zu beobachten, was die Ehre meines Standes von mir verlangt."

(""I swear to faithfully, honestly and honorably serve the reigning Pope Silvester II and his legitimate successors, and to dedicate myself to them with all my strength, ready to sacrifice, should it become necessary, even my own life for them. I likewise assume this promise toward the members of the Sacred College of Cardinals during the period of the Sede Vacante of the Apostolic See. Furthermore, I pledge to the Commandant and to my other superiors respect, fidelity, and obedience. I swear to abide by all the requirements attendant to the dignity of my rank.")

The Archbishop then handed von Coburg a flagpole with a strange symbol on the banner: a black eagle holding in its claws two crossed gold keys.

He took it in his left hand, and then raised his right hand high with his thumb, index, and middle fingers stretched in a crude cross to represent the Holy Trinity, and responded thusly:

"Ich, Johann von Coburg, schwöre, alles das, was mir soeben vorgelesen wurde, gewissenhaft und treu zu halten, so wahr mir Gott und seine Heiligen helfen."

("I, Johann von Coburg, swear to diligently and faithfully abide by all this which has just been read to me; may The Almighty and His Saints be my witnesses." )

Sir Johann von Coburg then removed his black surcoat and placed upon his person a white one, this time with the eagle/keys standard upon the chest.

Baron Sigmund von Wilhelm of Bavaria turned to Pope Silvester II and cocked an eyebrow. Silvester replied:

"And so it is."

The Baron smiled.

***

OOC:

OK, what has just happened:

The Holy Roman Empire has agreed to supply the Holy See one hundred German knights to serve as the Papal Guard (note that the Swiss Guard does not exist for a long time hence). The current Hauptmann (Captain) of the Guard is Conrad von Komburg, the Count of Swabia (he is included in the 100).

This is an exclusive arrangement, and only the current Pope can tell them what to do (which is basically escort him around). The Hauptmann has considerable freedom in "interpreting" orders, however, and, unbeknownst to the Pope or anyone else (please, just go with this), they previously swore sole fealty to the Holy Roman Empire, and so will not act against the Reich unless they have the Kaiser's blessing, either publicly (in the case of, say, a rogue lord causing trouble) or privately (i.e., by coded messages).

Most of that likely won't prove important though; for now, just remember that the Pope has a bodyguard - 100 fierce German knights.

(Note that the ceremony is essentially cribbed from the real Swiss Guard)

**Patriarch of Constantinople** · 12-19-2006, 06:27

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!
England had declared war on France! This brings the Holy Roman Empire into the conflict, as well as Byzantium.

France has called upon the Pope to excommunate the Anglo-German alliance for their act. The Pope however, has declared a new war, a holy war, a Crusade against the Moors! He calls for every good Catholic nation to take up arms, settle differences and attack the Moors. Sicily was the first to respond, and invaded North Africa, landing at the ancient city of Carthage. Byzantium has responded to the Anglo-German threat with declaration of war on the Holy Roman Empire. The Holy Roman Empire was dragged into the conflict by England’s DOW. China has sent half of her armies to the- Middle East? These actions could interfere with the Seljuk. The Khitan Empire continues unification, but not exactly by aggression. They have diplomacy on their side.