Imperial Diet IV

[Northnovas]

The Count of Zagreb stands looking weary from many travels from the Outremer...

I will also support a Krakow edict if it defends the homeland. However, I have a more pressing concern regarding the interior of the Reich. I have been recorded already on this floor with my concerns to the Chancellor over the tax revolt that is taking place in the Reich. I have returned to Zagreb to personally assess the situation.
We must lower the taxes in our cities. These revolts take up resources that should be used on our enemies.
I again plead with you Chancellor to lower the taxes in our cities.
I would appreciate if there was calmness and public order in the Reich's cities while I am away honouring my duty in the Outremer.
Which I must prepare to return too very shortly.

[AussieGiant]

I support Lord Zirn entirely.

The repeated calls for calm and order in the provinces is too frequent to even repeat. It should be an immediate priority.

[Stig]

Ansehelm walks into the Diet in person, it can be clearly seen that he had had a short as possible journey, through some enemy controlled territory

I must say that I'm pleased to hear that other people here are concerned in Thorns safety. Securing Thorn is important to our eastern front, but remember, if we take Krakow it will simply pull all Polish attention on Krakow instead of Thorn, so we will have simply have the same trouble over and over again. And Krakow happens to be more difficult to defend. It's dangerous to station the FHA there as it's simply too far away from main Franconia, and it's also dangerous to leave the AHA there, as that will leave the rest of Austria open for Hungary.

The FHA is in it's current state not able to defend any city, and it will never be able to fully defend Franconia. Therefore taking Krakow with the FHA will be dangerous. The same counts for the AHA, first it will need to secure Budapest again. After that it needs to move out of it's zone of control to attack Krakow.

In Europe we will have six armies, the Imperial Army, currently defending Northern Franconia. The Swabian Household Army, or what's left of it, currently defending the Imperial City of Paris. The Bavarian Household Army, currently waiting for the witch to be taken of Corsica. The Austrian Household Army, which as far as I know is still near Hungarian territory under constant attack. The Franconian Household Army which is in the Franconian City of Thorn, but is no where near it's proper state. Lastly we will have the army for the Teutonic Crusade, but we will have to see what part of that army will actually come back from Moscow.
Once we've taken Corsica the BHA is more or less finished with it's job. And I doubt we need an entire army to defend Italy, as we only need to spot the Spanish and Sicilians. Maybe we should give the Bavarians a free role of supporting other Houses.
The FHA will be busy fending of the Poles and Russians, not to speak of the Danes. The SHA is busy defending against the French. And the AHA will be busy with Hungarians. The Imperial Army does what the Kaiser wishes. Our borders are too stretched to defend. Even now we need the Imperial Army to fill the gaps, we can't expand if we don't secure our own land. Believe me I will do all in my power to bring back a proper army from Russia, so that we will have a sixth army to defend the Reich, but now I'm wondering what will be there to defend, if so many cities are rebelling and so many enemies are attacking.

[AussieGiant]

Rising to speak after Ansehelm report Arnold begins pacing the Diet floor

Lord Ansehelm ,

I entirely agree with your general outline. I was not talking about taking Krakow until the next Diet session as we have standing legislation preventing that.

My timing was not clear and therefore I was not clear. By the time of the next Diet session I'm more than sure I will have retaken Budapest and will be in a position to take a closer look at Krakow.

At a strategic level, what I see is Krakow holding a position slightly too far South for the Franconia's to deal with and likewise slightly too far north for the my own Austrian House to easily deal with.

As you state Ansehelm, if Austria or Franconia take Krakow it will pull us too far from our central front to adequately defend it well.

Your thoughts on the BHA and its potential usage are intriguing. With the final island taken by the next Diet session the BHA would be relatively task free.

The Sicilian’s have been allies for longer than I can remember so I do not see them suddenly committing such a suicidal act as attacking us from the southern tip of the Italian peninsula.

Our southern border would potentially not need much protection.

There is much to ponder and certainly the idea of two house armies is gaining a legitimate momentum given our extended borders.

[Stig]

Ansehelm who just sat down rises again

I would agree to two household armies per house, but I would say that these secondary armies should be small and non offensive. Franconia could use one to defend Hamburg, and would Austria take Krakow it could use one to station there. Swabia is quite small and only has one front, so for them there's little use in such an army. And the Bavarian secondary army could defend Bavaria while it's household army helps other houses.
This is definitely worth an edict in my opinion

[AussieGiant]

Looking over at Ansehelm, Arnold says

Certainly a defensive half stack force of high quality troops such as DFK, Sergeant Spearmen and Crossbowmen with one unit of Horse plus the number two ranked House General would be ideal.

This could also be an intermediate position for the next House Duke for future commanding of the Household Army.

These holding forces could then allow the House Armies greater freedom.

[OverKnight]

Matthias paces the Diet chamber like a caged animal. He stops to speak:

If I am not to take ship to the Holy Land, then what am I doing still in Bologna's port?

I have been the Crusader Count of Adana for eight years and I have yet to leave Italy, or even receive marching orders in four!

If a passage to Outremer is impossible, even an overland one, then I ask that I be sent some place where I can be useful rather than watch the gulls fly over the Adriatic!

Matthias's outburst turns to grumbling as he continues pacing the chamber.