Duke,
I would place the blame for de Corvole's seeming confusion about proper channels or the chain of command on his being French. The problem seems endemic to Swabia. Ever since their Duke has largely retired from Policial life we've seen the Duchy controlled by a mere Count, Ruppel, who has argued with Chancellors regarding funding and military matters for the past two terms. It was only a matter of time before that attitude trickled down even to the mere knights in service to the Reich.

OOC: No offence Tristan or FactionHeir, I know FactionHeir/Ruppel has done all the planning for Swabia because of Warluster's relative absence.