Duchy of Franconia

[Privateerkev]

Count von Mahren,

With all due respect, I am afraid you are mistaken on some of the points about the family tree. My father was not Duke. My father was Fredericus von Hamburg who just passed away. And Hedewigis just got married but to an old coot who will probably pass away soon from old age. And you were around at that time so I'll ask you. Why did the Dukeship pass on to the Kastilian line and not the von Hamburg line anyways? Fredericus was the first adopted son of Dietrich.

Now, who here wants to share a beer or two with me out of respect to my father?

Jan lifts up a mug of frothy beer

[Ferret]

Yes my father in law was a great man and would have made a great duke.

[Kagemusha]

Count von Mahren,

With all due respect, I am afraid you are mistaken on some of the points about the family tree. My father was not Duke. My father was Fredericus von Hamburg who just passed away. And Hedewigis just got married but to an old coot who will probably pass away soon from old age. And you were around at that time so I'll ask you. Why did the Dukeship pass on to the Kastilian line and not the von Hamburg line anyways? Fredericus was the first adopted son of Dietrich.

Now, who here wants to share a beer or two with me out of respect to my father?

Jan lifts up a mug of frothy beer

I dont remember calling old Gunther your father. By your father i meant Fredericus, becouse i assumed that he would have spoken to his son about the events.
Are you trying to play tricks with old man? About your question.Both Fredericus and Gunther were adult men when Dietrich adopted them. Fredericus had served Franconia as steward,during the banishment of old Dietrich by Kaiser Heirich. Then after Dietrich and i went to holy land Gunther Von Kastillien became a steward. Why Dietrich picked Gunther over Fredericus we will propably never will find out, since Dietrich didnt have the habbit of explaining himself usually to anybody.
Who is this old goat you mention? Im sure even an old goat could do the honours and give Hedewigis a son. You shouldnt underestimate old goats.Sometimes they can suprise young foxes.

[Stig]

Letter from Ansehelm:

Gentlemen, I call on you as Dietrich once called one all Franconians.
My father has been the heir to Dietrich, for his own reasons, just as why he named me his heir. Your father Jan did not like this fact, but over time Fredericus and Gunther put aside their differences, as it should be. I don't see why you can't and need to continue to bicker on about this. You are quite new to politics I know, I came here shortly after the passing away of Duke Dietrich, and I have been about for quite some time now. At some point you need to see that you yourself are not the most important thing in the Reich.
Fredericus and Gunther both were Stewards if I recall correctly, first Fredericus, later on Gunther, to even up things. And Gunther became Duke, as, as Herr Jonas correctly said, because the bloodline was broken. And as long as that is broken the Dukeship will stay in the bloodline chosen by Dietrich, the family von Kastillien. For reasons to this you should consult the letters written by Dietrich in the Archives. Herr von Mahren might know more about this as well, he was around at this time, I was still a young boy back then.
You Jan are a pain to the House of Franconia, it is not nice of me to say this just after your father passed away, however it is the one and only truth. I am Duke of Franconia, I make the decisions, would I have problems making them I would go to any of the elder members of the House. That would mean Jonas von Mahren as he is the most experienced of us all. And as he can tell you, I do not need his aid. You should listen to the true words of him, being a Duke is no happy thing, and don't dream of becoming one. A direct descendant of Dietrich von Saxony can get that "honour", but since there is none it will be my first born son or daughter. If I remain childless it will be my brother Peter, but I have no intentions of dying, so there will be enough options open.
Jan, I suggest you go and fight the Mongols, and beat them. After that, come back to Franconia, and see how things are going on here, travelling is good for you. Dieter can take over the main role of Franconia in the Outremer, which you should get now. After the Mongols there will be little in the Outremer, a man like you should come back to the Heimat itself, and help out there.

Duke Ansehelm

[Privateerkev]

OOC to Kag: I'm sorry. Part of my confusion was in mid-reading the punctuation in the sentence about Jan's dad and the Duke. There is a period where there should be a comma.

IC: Jonas, Hedewigis von Saxony married Wikerus von Franken in 1262. Here is the Chancellor Report on the matter:

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showp...&postcount=237

As to Ansehelm's letter...

It is sad to see our Duke get so many things wrong at once. He has mistaken an innocent question to a wise man as some sort of power play. I have no intention, nor wish, to become Duke. I am doing something far more important right now. I never have claimed to be "the most important thing in the Reich". This is a title Ansehelm has given me for some reason when all I do is serve. I might be fairly new to politics but I seem to have infinitely more politically savyness than our good Duke. Ansehelm continues to undermine his own people in public. All family matters should be kept in here or in letters. His political ineptitude led to the death of edict 11.6. If I am a pain, it is only to Duke Ansehelm and not to the House. He does not like it when someone speaks truth to power. But, that is my job and duty and I will not be silenced. I am happy though that Ansehelm has named Peter to be his heir until a child comes of age. I only ask that Ansehelm says this in public in the Diet to make it official. Its nice to see the Duke being responsible for once.

Jan drinks some beer.

As for coming back here for good, there seems to be little for me here. And there is much to do in Outremer. I will stay there as long as I am needed.

[Stig]

Quick letter:
I do not need to justify myself to you Jan, that is the last I need to say of it. I don't undermine myself, I have friends in high places. You are undermining yourself and Franconia, take some responsibility and come to senses.

To all Franconians, this is the last letter you will get from me for some time now. Novgorod should be passed soon and battles fought.

[Privateerkev]

So the Duke really thinks he can lead from deep in Russia? He is a bigger fool than I thought...

I am not sure how I am undermining anything by talking in here. I have kept these comments out of the Diet since Ansehelm became Duke. Our Duke just fears the truth. Now, when will Ansehelm make good on his promise and announce his heir in the Diet? Peter deserves for this to be made official. I point to this statement the Duke made:

If I remain childless it will be my brother Peter

Also, claiming you have "friends in high places" is not the most inspiring way to lead. We need leadership, not some absentee Duke on a suicide mission.

[Ferret]

Jan the Duke is well within his rights to go to Russia and as his subordinate it is not your place to argue with him. Although I will take no sides in this argument I advise you both to stop the bickering and let all Franconians unite under one banner lest the Hamburgs become a separate house altogether.

(OOC:haha on the last page I said I would support Jan in any of his arguments lol)

[Privateerkev]

Jan sighs

I suppose your right Dieter. I will go back home to Outremer and prepare my city for the horse lord assault. Hopefully time will heal the rift that has seemed to grow between the Duke and myself.

With a gulp of the last of his beer, Jan leaves the great hall and gets onto his horse.

[gibsonsg91921]

I am flattered that my brother Ansehelm has chosen me to be his heir. God willing, he shall have a son in due time, but I am appreciative of this nod to me.

OOC: Wow i missed a lot. forgot to post i was on vacation and was gonna post when i got there, but the internet was down there. dang! but im back and looks like im not dead!

[Tamur]

Ansehelm has a good eye for leaders, Péter.

OOC: you're not dead, hurrah! I had Péter charge the miserable Polish army near Thorn (in the flank, it was quite grand) and the Poles just ran away. Quick. So he's a hero, but a safe one.

[Tamur]

The Poles have for too long been a goad in our Franconian sides. The time is right for an attack. Should CA 12.6 pass, we will have the military might. The new Pope favours us, and the Poles remain at their lowest level of Papal favour ever. We should strike now, and demoralise them with a crushing blow.

I therefore propose the following:

If CA 12.6 passes, both the Franconian Household Armies shall be fortified to full strength and then shall march on and destroy Krakow. The city shall be leveled, its fields burned, and its inhabitants thrown out or slaughtered. Prisoners, once ransomed, have consistently returned to come against us another day. This time, they are all to be executed immediately.

With that task done, the Armies are to return to normal patrol or defence duties, leaving the city to thieves and miscreants (who no doubt abound in the area of Krakow!)


Second, I propose a rewriting of Ansehelm's proposals into two proposals. This will make them easier for fellow electors to understand, and separating them will make them easier to pass.

Edict 12.4
Dependent on 12.2 passing, the fortress of Vilnius will be attacked by the FHA by the time the Teutonic Army decides to come back. They will meet in Vilnius and if one of the armies has problems reaching it's goals it will be supported by the other. This also makes it possible for the FHA to return and protect Breslau or Thorn.

Edict 12.5
Dependent on 12.2 passing, if Vilnius proves too dangerous and comes under constant attack, taking too much of the Reich's resources, military buildings will be destroyed and the city will be left.

[Stig]

Message from Ansehelm von Kastillien to the Franconian Court

I must say that I am very dissatisfied with the current voting of the Franconians, it is clear that they are following the line of something else than their Duchy, while it is their Duchy to which they are bound.
Don't let yourself be bribed as a person, take such matters up with your Duke and ask him what he thinks of it, afterall he is the person that decides on your career.

Furthermore I decided to tell Gert I abstain on the chancellor votings. I don't mind who of the two real candidates gets it, but I would prefer Hans, as he is the best chancellor I have ever known.

[Stig]

Another message

Furthermore I am dissatisfied with the amount of the consumption of alcohol, I know Herr von Mahren used to drink heavely, but he knew what he was doing. A tavern is no place for a noble to come, prove your bravery on the battlefield, not over 20 beers.

[Tamur]

*Fritz nods piously at the second message* True, so true.

I must confess, Duke Ansehelm, I am new to politics and did not take into account our House's stance on any of these issues, simply because I did not know our House's stance. I had hoped for more direction or guidance. Lacking that, and lacking discussion in the House's chambers, I voted according to what I thought best.

My apologies to all of you if I have offended in my choices.

[Stig]

Gert von Runstede, who passes Thorn on his way to Russia:
I think it's clear Herr Fritz that he House stance simply is: Franconia is more important than anything else. Everything that favours Franconia should be voted for, everything that gives Franconia less power is to be voted against.

[Tamur]

*Fritz runs out the door after Gert*

Wait! Surely it is difficult to say who is better for Franconia - Hans or Matthias. Matthias' chancellorship has seen many powerful commands given to us, the building of greater cities and better wealth, and Ansehelm has finally been able to launch the Teutonic crusade.

The same could be said of the Edict regarding the taking of Caen. Do we vote no on anything not directly benefiting Franconia? *Fritz grimaces* Surely by taking such a stance we are only adding to the polarisation of the Diet and a willingness for backroom negotiations.

*Fritz stops and takes many deep breaths*

And Gert... your pace... is difficult to... keep up with!

[Stig]

Something as Caen is of no importance to Franconia what so ever, I doubt Duke Ansehelm would mind what you vote on that.
There are however CA's that allow Franconia more power, or give less to others.

Next to that Hans is the one that made sure the Teutonic Crusade could happen in the first place, he made an army, Hummel destroyed that, but it was Hans that got things running.
Next to that Hans tends to allow more freedom for individuals.

Gert mounts his horse and rides of, direction Russia

[Tamur]

*Fritz watches Gert rides off, then turns and walks slowly back towards the castle, mumbling to himself*

Know your history...

*He slaps himself on the leg and shakes his head.*

Should have taken my own advice!

[gibsonsg91921]

Indeed brother, if you are disappointed in the manner I voted I will explain any problems via message.

[Stig]

Message from Russia

I am pleased with the overall outcome of the votings. CA 12.7 passed, which means Dukes can now set building queues in the Outremer, which also means that after the Mongol treat is gone we do not need any Crusader Counts anymore. The Outremer cost us loads of money, it will be hard to get that back.

Also I intend to split Franconia in two, because I cannot name two Stewards or a Duke and a Steward I will remain Duke.
Western Franconia, consisting of Frankfurt, Hamburg, Magdeburg is to be defended by the Second Franconian Household Army, commanded by my brother Fritz.
Eastern Franconia, consisting of Thorn, Breslau and Stettin is to be renamed Prussia, for informal business, and is to be defended by the First Franconian Household Army (the current one) and while I am gone this is commanded by my brother Peter.

[Tamur]

My gratitude goes to Ansehelm for the honour of commanding one of the Household Armies. I shall do all in my power to see that we are safe from the Danes.

This splitting is bound to be a good thing. I look forward to working with Péter in coordinating our forces, both in the building of the second Army and for any actions required.

And may God protect and uphold Ansehelm's arms as he closes on Moscow!

[gibsonsg91921]

Indeed brother, I shall lead the Prussia Sectional Army to glory!

[Tamur]

Brothers, Cousins,

I may have been banned from the Diet but I will take this opportunity to speak my mind here regarding the naming of Gersenda as the Franconian heir.

I do not understand Ansehelm's reasoning here. Perhaps it is too cold in Russia for the brain to be fed correctly, but naming a woman as the heir to our House is... is... *Fritz gestures mutely with his right hand, then shakes his head*

His message spoke of her age as a deciding factor. I must agree at least with this -- our aging and unmarried state does not bode well, though we are in a better state than most houses. Yet...

*Fritz puts his hand to his lips, and tugs on his bottom lip rather vigourously, then continues*

I don't know. Ansehelm obviously has every right to name his successor as he wishes. But Péter has been fighting battles for years, upholding our family name with great vigour, and it seems unfair to him that he be passed over for this honour.

[Stig]

The Franconian Ritter that ones entered the Diet now enters the Franconian Halls

I believe that Duke Ansehelm named his niece as heir for she is of a young age. You sir, and Peter, all have the same age as the Duke, more or less. He could name one of you his heir, but that would mean that you would be heir for how long? 10 years with luck.

[Ferret]

Still a woman has never been named heir before and I find the idea of a female Duke simply proposterous, there are many eligible young men in the Franconian house.

[Stig]

Actually not. Sides women can't become the ruler of a house, they can only inherit the title, which makes their husband the Duke.

[Tamur]

*Fritz stands for a minute staring at the floor, then nods and begins pacing*

I can see the wisdom in this, yes, I can.

None of us would dare lift a finger or speak a word against Gersenda. And in this most fractious of Houses, that is saying something. Thus Ansehelm avoids the rancour which would undoubtedly follow the naming of one of us as heir.

And, it looks forward to the new blood we will have join us in future. Though I do not feel my age quite yet *Fritz fingers a scar on his left cheek* I am not as young as I used to be. And there is without a doubt an antidote against sickness in youth.

*Fritz sighs and shakes his head* If only women weren't put off by scars and executions, then life would be different, brothers.

[Ferret]

I am still strongly against this decision, the girl is but a 1 year old and there is no saying what kind of a man she will marry if she marries before your death or even at all. I think that keeping Peter as heir will ensure that this House will have strong rule when you are gone and even if he does have a short reign at least by then it will be clearer who would be more suitable as a future Duke, the Von Kassel boy may even be worth a look at despite the treachery of his father.

[Tamur]

I may be gagged in the Diet, but I can still speak my piece here, and I say: level Krakow!

Again the Poles prove themselves to be a fatal nuisance, with the death of Wilhelm. Again the electors say nothing, nothing, about it. Though Christ preached forgiveness and turning the other cheek, there is a point at which that is no longer feasible, or desirable.

*Fritz paces up and down across the room, waving wildly*

The Reich's inaction on this matter is despicable. Despicable, my brothers and my cousins. Are we so blind that we cannot see a threat when it rears up in our faces? Are we so weak that we cannot swat down this gadfly that sits biting and taunting us?

I mourn for the loss of Gerhard and Günther. These were men who would have risen to a challenge like this with the might of the Reich behind them and *Fritz brings a heavy fist down on the table* smashed it without hesitation.

Yes, I mourn the loss of heroes.