Imperial Diet III

[AussieGiant]

Duke Leopold's son Arnold stands

I second CA 9.1

[gibsonsg91921]

A messenger and close friend of Maximillian von Tyrolia stands.

"My master seconds CA 9.1.

He also believes strongly in the economic and military value of driving the Moors out of Iberia to save the Portuguese, as well as to show our good faith. The Portuguese have nearly the strongest navy in the world, and we must grant them Granada or Valencia so they have access to the Mediterranean and can help us achieve our goals and purify the waters of infidels. Such a venture would also increase our interest in the West and open up a second front on the powerful French to help ease the Swabian borders. Thus, I propose Edict 9.1:
The Reich shall create a Grand Army of Iberia under the same minimum troop levels and limitations as Household Armies. The army shall sail to Iberia and make landfall on Moorish or Spanish land, where they can conquer all non-Portuguese cities. As a token of our good will and for economic safety, at least one city or castle bordering the Mediterranean shall be granted back to Portugal. These lands shall not be granted to any house until Iberia is cleansed of Moors or Spaniards, and thus will remain under direct Imperial control.

My master also thought of possibly establishing a Kingdom of Iberia out west, but I feel that the Chancellor or some other more powerful lord will have better plans than that, so I did not include it in the Edict."

Messenger sits down.

[FactionHeir]

*After speaking a few words with his servant, who subsequently leaves the chamber, Hans rises to address the diet*

Friends, Germans, I wish to formally announce my intention to stand for the office of chancellor. *He pauses and looks at the congregation before continuing*
You may certainly ask yourself why you would want to vote for me and what I could possibly have to offer. Well, then your questions shall be answered.

As you are all aware, the recent events, such as the loss of Thorn and the impending invasion of the Mongol hordes, have made us, the Holy Roman Empire, look weak in the eyes of the known world. Our recent, yet shortlived, excommunication, has left us with abysmal relations to not only to our allies, but also the rest of Christendom.

Some of you may ask why we should worry about looking weak, if we can conquer them all and force our rule upon everyone. I say that while this may be possible, history has taught us that no one nation can rule over all others without eventually falling. We may be the strongest of all Roman Empires so far, but we certainly are not gods and the people we rule over certainly not saints. As such, we can only hope to stand out as the strongest nation of all, whose words carry weight, and have the rulers of the other nations worry about keeping their subjects in line, while we can devote our resources to strengthening our borders, crush those who openly oppose us and bring the light of Christ to the many heathens that this world still harbors.

To further these goals my lords, let me outline to you the goals that I have set myself and will fulfill, if you find me worthy.

Firstly, it is imperative that we show our strength and not back off from any invader. This means that Thorn must be retaken at all costs and Russia be punished for their boldness.

Secondly, to prevent any further invasions into our lands, watchtowers shall be erected so we may have a complete surveillance over every single parcel of land that is ruled by us. Further, forts shall be erected to deter and stall any invading force so we can prepare our defences and strike forces in advance.

Thirdly, contact shall be made with the horsemen on the eastern front of outremer to determine what they have planned. At the same time, garrisons in the outremer will be reinforced to dter both the heathens and the Mongols. If they dare attack us, we will send them back to whence they came.

Fourthly, I will send emissaries to all Christian nations to improve our relations with them and seal alliances. As the guardian and leader of Christendom, it is upon us to be the strong consolidating force in forging an alliances in the name of Christ.

Fifthly, I will endeavor to have the crusading army reinforced and dispatched to outremer to take Damascus before any other nation can. If required, I will make certain more ships are built to ferry our fearless warriors.

Sixth, I will endevaor to rid our lands of rebels, heretics, witches and any intruding inquisitor as well as bolster the garrisons of all border regions.

Lastly, you will have noticed that contrary to my father's plans, our Byzantine allies have retaken Constantinople due to a plan that I have forged with them during my visit to Smyrna. I have arranged for messengers to spread word of my coming and diverted their attention southwards which allowed our allies to strike from the mountains to the east. As a show of good faith, I will engage the large Hungarian force that I have lured to the coast of Constantinople and send them back to their godless steppes and thus improve our relations with our eastern brothers.

I hope that you will honor these plans by casting your vote for me, and I certainly am open to further discussion of these goals and any edicts that you may wish to have fulfilled.

*Hans bows to each of the Houses and returns to the Swabian benches*