Imperial Diet III

[Dutch_guy]

A Franconian messenger enters the Diet.

It seems we're losing good men at a high rate indeed, von Kassel will be missed by us all. Just like Ehrhart will, he was too young to leave this world - but at least he did so honourably.

Yours sincerely,

Duke Kastillien.

[McIwoo]

A Bavarian messenger enters the Diet.

To my dear Father and the to the Most Noble Members of the Imperial Diet,

I feel it is my duty to warn you about the unrest plaguing the civic order in northern Italy. It has come to my attention during my stay in this region that three cities in particular: Bologna, Marseille and Florence suffer from a generalized lack of patriotism. Several other areas I found to be also agitated, these include Milan, Venice and Geneoa.

If this situation was to be left alone, I fear the level of agitation would require a strong answer from the Empire, armed repression and potentially even military action. However, before reaching this dire level, the current situation could potentially represent a risk for the economical well being and growth of the region. I insist on this last point as northern Italy is of such a vital importance to the maintenance of our troops stationed in the Holy Land.

In the next few months I will apply myself to find potential solutions to these issues.

For Bavaria and the Empire,

Markus Steffen
Count of Marseille

[OverKnight]

Matthias Steffen enters the Diet and speaks:

This is a farce! My brother was sent into battle, on Austrian lands no less, with a mere unit of Teutons and his own retainers! Where was the Austrian Household Army, or the rest of his Army that he had at Zagreb? And if he is a "provisional" Knight, why wasn't his force enlarged since he left Zagreb, or at least Mercenaries hired to assist him? Not to mention the sheer cowardice of the Budapest garrison. Their commander should be stripped of rank and set to building watchtowers for such incompetence!

At least if we're going to send him into battle against such odds, we should give him the rank he deserves. Some of our men had been made Knights because they ran down some peasant who brandished his pitchfork in the wrong direction! End this joke of a not-quite-a-Knighthood!

Bavarian Honor demands it!

Matthias sits down in the Bavarian section with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face.

[FactionHeir]

You may be unaware, but supplies of horse and food were only enough to send his retainers and either the teutons or the mailed knights against the Hungarians besieging Budapest in time.
I chose to send with him the teutons, knowing they are our most elite knights.

It seems young Lothar has done well in the battle and finally proved his worth.
I am sure his father would like to have the honor of knighting him formally once he is back in Italy. I for one now consider him a knight officially.

[Stig]

Message from Ansehelm, as read out in the Diet

What is this? Don't you have to be knighted anymore to command an army? What is this for wahnsinn?
Today an unknighted noble, what will come tomorrow? Heinrich und Karl the dung collectors?

And next to all this Swabia is still allowed to penetrate further and further into French territory, without an edict, without the approval of the Diet.

I think the honourable Hans should ask himself the question if he's up for the job of chancellor.

Ansehelm
Count of Thorn
Heir to Franconia
Extremely off

[FactionHeir]

I believe the young Steward Ansehelm should be more careful in his judgement if he wishes to one day lead Franconia.

Firstly, Lothar Steffen did not lead an army but a small force as he cunningly derided from our charter. As there was no legal barrier that prevented him from doing so, it was approved.

Secondly, I ridicule your constant comments about Swabia's expansions as they have not advanced any further than Paris as we speak. Maybe you ought to look at our Imperial maps in the mornings when you may be more clear headed?

[Stig]

Another message from Thorn

Lothar Steffen might have led only a little army, he did have the overall command in the battle. Something which is normally only giving to an Army Commander.

And tell me which Edict allowed Swabia to march into France at all.

[FactionHeir]

Lothar Steffen did at no point command the garrison of Budapest, but only his entourage and the teutons, as layed out by the charter.
The charter amendment regarding household armies allows one settlement to be taken per order to be fulfilled if received prior to the start of the chancellorship or at the discretion of the chancellor if received thereafter.

[Stig]

The Prussian noble Ansehelm send stands, speaking in his place (OOC: just to get rid of the messages)

Now, even tho that order might be given we do widen our borders with it. Which is dangerous. Sides if we march too far into France I'm afraid we will get to close to Britain and Spain.

[FactionHeir]

Considering there has been no further expansion into French territory, I find Ansehelm von Kastiliens' to be unfounded.
It could similarly be argued that we would widen our borders if Krakow was taken. Each house, including Franconia, is being treated fairly currently in terms of construction, recruitment and fulfillment of orders, something the chancellor is not obliged to do, especially in the light of general opposition of Franconia towards my election at the last diet, something I would like to remind you of.

[Stig]

Krakow has not been taken, and mostlikely will not be taken for some time. The Franconian Household Army is far too busy for that. There's another big army at the gates.

I suggest the Swabians go more onto the defence and look at the Danes as well. Eastern Franconia depends more on the Swabians than on the Franconian forces.

[FactionHeir]

Considering veteran reinforcements from Staufen have almost arrived in Franconia, I would believe that you should have ample men to fight any threat arising in the east. As for the Danes, Prince Jobst stands outside the gates of Antwerp ready to defeat any French or Danish force that might threaten the empire and to defend the English if they are attacked.

As to suggesting what Swabia does, I would like to ask you to take this up with Duke Scherer who is responsible for Swabian matters. I am serving the empire's best interests in defending our borders, making the homeland and outremer safe and boosting our technology and economy.

[Stig]

And you only happen to be Swabian yourself

[FactionHeir]

I may be Swabian, but my upbringing has taught me that the empire's interests come before an individual house' interest. It is only by being united that we stand strong as the holy roman empire.
Regardless, again it is not my place to discuss Swabian plans with you and if you wish to know more, contact my Duke.

[gibsonsg91921]

Instead of Swabia attacking the God-fearing Catholics and diminishing our Papal standing which is so important in this Reich, I suggest they expand towards the excommunicated Danes.

[FactionHeir]

Again, bring it up with the Duke of Swabia, not with me. If you wish Franconia to expand towards the Danes, have your Duke speak with me.

[Stig]

Franconia is too busy with the Eastern Barbarians.

[Dutch_guy]

Günther von Kastillien's spokesman enters

As Ansehelm stated, we are too busy in the east. The Garrison in Hamburg will have to deter the Danes from attacking, and we should not instigate anything on our - relatively weak - northern frontier. Franconia will push eastwards, not northwards.

I do propose we leave our military discussions for our own assembly, as not to bother this body with an inter housal discussion...

[AussieGiant]

Gentlemen!!

I believe the issue of Lord Lothar is finished. He been knighted by his father.

I would like you all to know that if that had not happen then I would have personally knight him myself.

His actions in the battle at Budapest have been confirmed to me in person by the entire Austrian court and at least three witnesses who were at the battle in person.

I am shocked that this process dragged on for as long as it did. Myself and the entire House of Austria are of like mind on this topic!!

As for Durazzo, then this is equally a closed topic.

I WAS THERE personally and therefore I am entirely in a position to decide what is to be done with the province. I'd also like to point out that I was also there when Ehrhart was killed and I will not have anyone cast doubt on his sacrifice and how important it was to the House of Austria or this Reich.

With that said, it seems the last of the "Old Guard" have nearly departed from us. The Emperor is the only one remaining from that era.

King Otto was as fine a member of this Empire as can be imagine. His lose is a colossal blow to this nation and he shall be missed dearly.

[Stuperman]

That Blasted pope, prevents us from dealing proper justice to the Milanese, although it might be for the best as it looks like we are threatened in the north by the french.

Do I need to raise the BHA to deal with them, or do the swabians have something in mind, hehe?

[Kagemusha]

Message From Jonas Von Mahren.

The Bloody French are blocking my way to Franconia.If the Reich wills it i will kill them all if i get an army from somewhere. Altough i do suspect they are moving west.I will leave it to the Kaiser,Dukes and Chancellor to decide their fate.What i can say is that there is no mercy coming from me if i have to deal with them.

Jonas

[Stig]

Message from Ansehelm

Meine Herren,

Oh happy days, those stupid Russians can't get their horses onto the walls. And I'm very happy.

About the French I suggest that Count von Mahren picks up the gathered army for him in Prague and that he shadows it. The Swabians will place an ambush somewhere on the road of the French army ... which is mostlikely heading for Paris. And it will be quickly over.
Will the French army miss the ambush Count of Mahren can finish them.

Ansehelm von Kastilien
Count of Thorn
Heir to Franconia
Currently on the walls laughing at some Russians

[gibsonsg91921]

I am divided on the matter. For one, killing this French army will re-cripple the military operations of France.

However, we will lose the ever-important *spits* "Papal blessings," and not be able to destroy Milan without being excommunicated.

[Stuperman]

They are on are land, How can the pope question our action when it is the french that are in the wrong?

[gibsonsg91921]

Duke Gerhard, as always, you make the wise decision. Unfortunately, the "Pope" may not agree with your sentiments and it will be more difficult to rally support in conquering Milan, if the "Pope" thinks less highly of us.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Conrad Salier:

I have expressed my opinion on this matter to the Bavarians, and I shall express it here.

It is not worth excommunication to deal with these people.

What are the Milanese: two islands? And we are so sanguinary that we cannot wait a short while to take two measly islands? We risk everything if we decide to ignore the order. While some people in this esteemed body do not view the Pope as a force to be listened to (*Conrad makes the sign of the cross*) the peasants do. And rest assured, my friends, they will make themselves heard. If we want tranquility at home then we would be wise to wait.

[econ21]

Kaiser Henry: Conrad Salier speaks the truth. Milan is not a serious threat. She can wait - rushing to crush her is not worth offending our alliance with the Papacy.

Indeed, I am rather surprised the Bavarians wish to return to that accursed island of Corsica. The Milanese can keep it, and its, urm, lovely ladies.

Remember, my Lords, that the defence of Jerusalem requires good standing with the Papacy - so that we may maintain our alliance and military access. These things we lost during the affair with the Danish crusade. Regaining them was not easy - requiring a successful crusade and donating one of our provinces.

We should remember also that the current Pope is but a young man and under him, the Papacy will have a long memory.

Finally, do not forget how Milan was originally driven from Europe - by our deliberate forbearance, leading to the Pope excommunicating them, not us, for aggression. If we are patient once again, history will surely repeat itself.

[econ21]

Henry sits down and then absent mindedly sits up again.

And given the wisdom of Conrad Salier's words, and my complete agreement with them, now is as good a time as any to remind the Diet ... (soto voce) and myself ... that Conrad Salier was appointed by King Otto to be his successor as King of Outremer.

I take this opportunity to congratulate King Salier on his appointment and to wish him a long reign.

[TevashSzat]

I am deeply troubled by the admissions made by the Franconians as of late. I would like to advise everyone that us Swabians have yet to take a city other than Paris in this chancellorship and probably will not for the rest of the term given the large French military presence around Paris due to their citadel of Angers.

As to whether us Swabians were allowed to take Paris, I beleive that it is clearly stated somewhere that each House is allowed to take one province of their choosing as long as it borders the House's territories. I have shown eagerness for more French territory to be taken which may cause debate and dissent, but we are hardly at that point yet seeing as the Swabian House Army is being retrained after the recent battle near Paris.

Be reminded too that I expressed interest in taking Bruges, which is very close to Antwerp a Danish city. Any Franconian attempt to take Antwerp will surely be impeded by French forces from Bruges which means that it is best for Bruges to be neutralized, something that Swabian forces will not find too hard to do.

[gibsonsg91921]

Bless your words, Duke Scherer, for in them lies proof that not all the Swabian house is... indiscretionate.