Imperial Diet IV

[FactionHeir]

I applaud my Duke for this most worthy proposal which I will be sure to support.
I would also like to remind that until said examination and voting concludes, swearing fealty to young Siegfried might be well unwise. There should be no more insults thrown in these chambers for proposing worthy legislation, which is the civil way of resolving this matter.

Now that this is said, I believe although Conrad and Wolfgang may have exaggerated slightly with an armed rebellion, they should be free to speak their mind...civilly.

And finally, I would like to know when the Diet Speaker would like to open the session in earnest, seeing how we do not have a fully accepted Emperor at this point in time.

[Stig]

But you have seen the will of Kaiser Jobst Hans, it says that Siegfried is his heir, there's nothing you can do.

[econ21]

Diet Speaker: I apologise for the delay in opening this Diet session. There will be now three days for the proposal of Edicts and Charter Amendments, followed by a 24 hour period of voting. Candidates for the post of Chancellor should present their manifestoes. The deadline for candidates to declare, and laws to be proposed and seconded, is Saturday 11am (UK time).

[OverKnight]

Matthias stands and speaks:

Kaiser Siegfried, Prinz Elberhard and my fellow Electors, I stand before you to announce my candidacy for the Chancellorship.

The last twenty years have been a challenge for the Reich. We faltered, we endured set backs and losses, but due to the efforts of Chancellor von Hamburg we are well on our way back to dominance. The last term has shown the harm a disinterested or secretive Chancellor can do to the Reich, but it has also shown that an invested and competent Chancellor can bring quick recovery and triumph. I wish to continue the skilled administration shown by Count Fredericus the Crusader.

The first priority of my Chancellorship would be to secure the borders of the Reich. We are on our way to doing this, but there is work left to be done. No foreign army should be able to enter the Reich unchallenged or unnoticed. To accomplish this, the Household armies will be brought up to strength, and watchtowers will be added on our frontiers where there are currently none. The Army of the Interior, or European Imperial Army as Kaiser Jobst called it, would be used to reinforce the areas of the Reich under threat. If that is not enough, extra forces will be dispatched to the Houses as needed. The goal is to push our enemies back so that Citadels like Thorn are a source of reinforcement, not the first line of defense.

As for the Russian Crusade, I support it in its current form, and if Thorn is relatively secure, I would have it commence. I am confident the Crusade would draw the attention of the Russians and Poles away from Franconia and to their own territories.

Second, Jerusalem must be retaken and returned to the Papal States. If elected I would immediately contact the Pope and ask for a Third Crusade on the Holy City. It must not stay in the hands of the heathens! We have sacrificed too much, and benefited too greatly from our role as Protector of the Church to turn back now. I have heard rumors the plague infects the city, if this is true, I would only ask for volunteers to participate in the Crusade. Outremer has the resources to man the Crusade, so unless any nobles in the homeland wish to take the Cross, there will be no need for armies shipping across the Mediterranean or epic marches across Asia Minor.

Due to the greed of our Ally, Byzantium, we have lost our land link to Outremer. I would like this restored, but I will leave this to the Electors to decide.

Third, we must return some of our focus to the financial health of the Reich. The trials of the past years have caused us, understandably, to focus on the immediate military interests of the Empire, but now that we have some breathing room we should take stock of our resources and seek to enrich our coffers. If elected I will conduct a thorough review of the Reich's finances, trade and taxation levels. No towns will riot because of the tax man during my term. Merchants will be recruited and sent out to trade, and efficiencies will be sought in garrisons. The Reich needs money to modernize our forces, continue and increase our building program and for diplomacy. Financial management is not as glorious as battle, but it is often the key to a nation's success.

Fourth, we must have a honest and responsive Chancellor. If elected I will conduct my term in the open. I will not buy territories behind the backs of the Electors, or fiddle while Rome riots around us. If Electors have questions I will answer them. I can't guarantee they'll like the responses, but at least they'll have them. I will deal with all the Houses equally, for I wish the entire Reich to be strengthened, not just one man or one House. I hope this open and fair handed approach will alleviate some of the acrimony and factionalism that has become prevalent in the Diet. The greatest threat to the Reich, as I have said before, is internal not external. Together, as one Empire, we can accomplish great things, divided, we will fall.

Electors, I hope you will find me worthy to serve the Reich. I will answer any questions you might have of me.

[Stig]

If it means anything to you Matthias, you have my support to gain chancellorship.

As for the Crusade into Russia, I will come with a statement concerning it one of these days. In my opinion it is still needed. The army is more or less finished. Thorn in secure and the FHA can deal with the Poles. If that crusade leaves it will mean no more Russians within the borders of the Reich.
However I would prefer to attack Bulgar instead of Moscow myself, but because of my loyalty towards the Reich, and towards it's former Kaisers I will leave the last Edict proposed by Kaiser Henry unharmed.
But that's for later when I come with a full statement.

[TinCow]

*Lothar Steffen, still ensconced within a garment of steel, rises to address the Diet.*

Electors, the Reich is a pitiful shadow of its once glorious self. Our borders exist in name only, with hostile armies crossing into our lands at will to loot and pillage. Our armies are weakened and even those decent forces that have been assembled are insufficient to protect our vast lands. Money and men are constantly siphoned off from the Homelands to aid ridiculous foreign enterprises that benefit an elite few Electors. The Reich needs a Chancellor who cares only for the good of the German peoples and who sacrifices all else to maintain and increase the prosperity of the Reich. Electors, the Reich needs a man like me!

I hereby declare my candidacy for the Chancellorship. Under my control, I promise you that foreign interests will no longer take priority over the Reich. Outremer is a folly and a failure. Its reason for existing was to protect the Pope’s new seat in Jerusalem, yet the ‘Crusaders’ were not even capable of doing that. They did not even bother to send an army to assist the Pope when he was assaulted by the Saracens. Now the Pope is dead and Jerusalem has been sacked. I see no further reason to expend our resources to prop up this failed enterprise.

I am not so ignorant as to abandon those lands, but nor shall I permit them to receive aid from the Homelands. Under my Chancellorship, not a single Imperial or Ducal soldier will journey East to aid Outremer. Furthermore, no funds will be allocated to construction or recruitment in Outremer beyond what those provinces earn themselves. If the lands are truly valuable, surely they can afford to pay for their own defenses. If they cannot, then they are a drain on the Reich and will not be missed when they fall to the Eastern hordes. I will gladly make the Imperial fleets available to evacuate any Elector in Outremer who sees the truth in my words and wishes to flee before the inevitable fall.

I note with pride that the legislation for the “Teutonic Crusade” has expired and I urge all Electors to vote against any attempts to resurrect it. However, even if new legislation is passed, I shall not permit this ridiculous Franconian expedition to Russia to receive Imperial aid. I respect the independence of the Houses and I will not stop Franconian generals from leading Franconian troops off to war, but I will not allow a single Imperial florin to be spent to support them. If they insist on this foolish endeavor, they will have to do with the forces that are already assembled. No provision will be made for mercenary recruitment along the way. I will not line the pockets of Rus mercenaries when that money could be better spent elsewhere. If the ‘Teutonic Crusaders’ find themselves in peril as a result, then they have only themselves to blame for their idiotic ambitions.

What will I do with all the money saved by these measures? I shall invest it in the Reich. Our peoples have recently been unhappily subjected to cruel taxation. I shall appease them by prioritizing the construction of brothels and drinking houses. Churches are all well and good, but men need room to breathe from the constraints of preachers and priests. I will also ensure that the Household Armies are strengthened to a degree never before seen in the Reich’s history. Under my Chancellorship, no army will cross our borders without being immediately challenged by a large, professional force. There will be more than enough commands for every Knight who seeks glory and profit!

My brother appears to think himself a Chancellor as well. *Lothar turns and looks at Matthias.* How quaint, brother. I did not realize your tutors had released you from schooling yet. Is Helga still your nanny? I certainly hope so, for I remember that she had the most wonderful… pies. Perhaps I should pay you a visit to see her again. Lothar turns back to the Diet.*

In short, Electors, I am a man of the people. My brother is a child. I promise security and prosperity for the Homelands the likes of which you have never seen. Vote for me and I will deliver all I have said and more.

[econ21]

Diet Speaker: On a point of order, it has come to my attention that there is some debate over whether the Kingdom of Outremer can propose Household Edicts. I can find nothing in our Charter or its Amendments that would give it that right.

However, out of deference to King Salier, I am reserving Edict 11.1 for a motion to crusade to recapture Jerusalem. The exact wording, and who will propose such an Edict, can be decided at a later point.

[Stig]

I'm sorry to say so Lothar, but to me it seems like you speak foolish words, not your childish brother.
Outremer needs support, have you seen those Mongols, and have you seen Jerusalem. We cannot abondon it now.
And about the Teutonic Crusade, the army is ready. Thorn is safe, the only person that would have to pay consequenses would be me, as I might be killed, that's my choice, I want to defend my Duchy from the Russians, give me that chance, it's not hard to call the crusade back, not hard at all. We can always try and if we don't succeed we pull back. Remember that all we need for it is an army, and we have that. Next to that we need to reinforce it using mercenaries, but that will be a maximum of 5000 Florins, as by then it will be hard to find any mercenaries not on our side.

And remember both our last two Kaisers wanted this crusade, any loyal German would follow them.

[Ituralde]

I just want to note that I will not make use of my prerogative of taking the post of Chancellor during this season. I welcome the manifestoes of both Bavarian candidates and applaud them for their bravery in stepping forwards to lead the Reich in this time of crisis. I shall yet decide whose agenda is more to my liking.

[OverKnight]

Matthias is visibly surprised by Lothar's announcement. As his brother's speech progresses, Matthias's grip on the armrests of his chair grows white knuckled. With the Kaiser's announcement, he relaxes a bit. Going over a scroll a scribe has brought him, Matthias rises and bows to Siegfried.

Thank you mein Kaiser.

Allow me to show some financial figures from 1240 and 1260 to illustrate one of my earlier points.

As you can see, merchant trade has decreased. This can be rectified. Also tax revenue is down quite a bit, no doubt due to rebellion, rioting and it's aftermath. With careful management of tax levels and garrisons, this too can be increased. Trade between cities has increased, which is a sign that the maturation and conversion of our settlements in Outremer is paying dividends.

I know this a dry topic, but money is very important to the management and defense of the Reich.

Glancing over at the Bavarian delegation, Matthias takes a deep breath.

I will now respond to some of my opponent's assertions.

Outremer is a folly and a failure.

I disagree. We have suffered a setback with the taking of Jerusalem, but this will be corrected with the Third Crusade. Our standing with the Papacy is perfect and all Cardinals except one are Imperial priests. We shall easily have the Crusade called. The reason that can happen is because of our work in Outremer. Our Missionaries in that land become Cardinals, and those Cardinals elect one of our own as Pope. As long as we are there and the guardian of the Church, it will stay that way.

My opponent wishes to abandon Outremer to its own defense. If we withdrew from the Holy Land, do you think the Mongols would be satisfied with just the Levant? The Huns made it all the way to Rome from the same Steppes the Mongols came from. Only the intercession of the Pope, and a massive bribe, stopped them from sacking the very city we meet in. We fight them over there, so that they may never come here.

I note with pride that the legislation for the “Teutonic Crusade” has expired and I urge all Electors to vote against any attempts to resurrect it.

Count Ansehelm has already spoken capably in the defense of this Crusade. I agree with the arguments he has made.

In short, Electors, I am a man of the people. My brother is a child. I promise security and prosperity for the Homelands the likes of which you have never seen. Vote for me and I will deliver all I have said and more.

My opponent promises wonderful things. He promises huge armies, glory, a wench and a beer for every peasant and more. What he doesn't mention is specifics. How will he fund all this, particularly if he leaves a fifth of the Reich to wither on the vine?

Do not believe his promises.

Thank you.

[Cecil XIX]

I will not support a candidate whose campaign promise is to abandon God and religion in favor of women and ale. That is the attitude of a child, not a man.

Furthermore, if Count Lothar Steffen has no qualms about speaking to his own brother that way in public, I doubt that we electors can expect to be treated with any civility either. He betrays much with his flippant and dismissive attitude towards his own kin, something I cannot abide by.

[Privateerkev]

I am pleased to see that a candidate that understands the need to do the Lord's work has stepped up. I will take this oppurtunity to fully support Matthias in his bid for Chancellor.

I do think Lothar has one...and only one...good point. Why are we embarking on a Crusade to Russia anyways? Is there any point to it? Wouldn't it be better to spend the resources defending Thorn? I think there has been too little debate on whether we should embark on this mission. Everyone seems too caught up on the fact that it was supported in the past. Well, the past is the past and the circumstances of the Reich have changed. We should look carefully at the mission to Russia and debate whether it should really be undertaken afterall in light of current circumstances.

[TinCow]

Bah! I have as much respect for God as the next man, the only difference is that I do not let it control my every waking action. Furthermore, there is nothing unholy about either ale or women. Most of our ale comes from the monks themselves! If it is good enough for the holy men, it should be good enough for the peasants. As for women, none of you would be here if it were not for that fact that your father gave your mother a good rodgering! Even God himself saw fit to stick it to Mary. (*At least, I think that's what the book said...*) Show me a man who distains fornication and I'll show you a woman!

[Cecil XIX]

Ale and women are not unholy, but pledgeing to build brothels and pleasure palaces before Abbeys and Cathedrals is.

[AussieGiant]

I see there has been some developments since my departure.

Arnold enters the Diet from the Austrian House chambers. Bedecked in Black Full Plate, he seems older and even larger through the shoulders than before. A blood red cross adorns the the chest of his outer heraldry

His sun burnt face locks on Jan von Hamburg for some seconds before taking a seat. He then shakes the hand of Sigismund and Karl before beginning the read through the Reich's reports.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Conrad Salier:

Edict 11.1: The Chancellor is ordered to immediately request a Crusade with Jerusalem as the target. Regardless of whether the Crusade is approved or not, at least one full-sized army is to be sent to retake the Holy City of Jerusalem post-haste. After capture, the city is to be immediately given to the Pope.
Proposed: Conrad Salier
Seconders: Jan von Hamburg, Matthias Steffin, Karl Zirn, et al.

I think that the proposal of this Edict is telling enough to say who I will support in this election.

[AussieGiant]

Arnold raises an eyebrow in query at King Sailers edict

King Sailer,

I believe an edict can't include the Seconders.

Seconders must actually second the edict themselves. Not have you do it for them.

If this were the case I would then have an edict drawn up with Jan von Hamburg seconding my request for all prisoners being hung "on sight".

I take you understand what I'm saying my Lord?

[Privateerkev]

I will second edict 11.1!

Eyes Duke Arnold

And I am preparing a CA that I am sure Duke Arnold will like and I will be sure to put his name on it as a second. *sarcasm*

[AussieGiant]

Leaning forward on the Austrian benches Arnold's intensity is raised a few notches.

Go ahead Jan...we're not finished, you fairy sucking PONCE!!

[Privateerkev]

Jan says with a big smile

So, you'll second my CA when I'm done writing it my dear Duke? Good, I'll be sure to send you a copy.

[TevashSzat]

I shall propose Edict 11.2 The four dukes and King Salier shall meet and discuss the events Siegfried's ascencion to the throne as well as any questions of any legitamacy. Afterwards a vote shall be cast on whether he will be allowed to retain his throne

Do not be hasty in rejecting this saying that only us Swabians have opposed Salier, but rather let a discussion procede and let the whole chain of events discussed clearly. Should we find it satisfactory, us Swabians shall recognize the legitamacy of the claim, but merely destroying any attempt for this and this issue may have to resolved with drastic actions.

Edict: OOC: Sorry, got the names mixed up there

[Stig]

Surely you mean Siegfried, herr Scherer.
And since my father is on holiday I as Steward take his place.

Secondly I do not second your edict, not only the Dukes should vote on something important as this. Next to that as I said, 3 houses already support Siegfried.

[AussieGiant]

Smiling ruefully back at Jan

I'll be sure to have my dog wipe it's arse on the proposal.

Taking a more considered approach to his next sentence

Do you really have such a problem with me ensuring in such a desperate situation that those troops could never threaten the Reich again?

I could probably understand you point of view if I had exterminated the population of Budapest after I retook it, or even sacked it. For the record I did neither but simply reoccupied it.

As for you going all La La over a few Hungarian's being killed, then perhaps you can swing yourself by the Hungarian capital and have tea with the King there and suggest he doesn't come invading the %$^&ing Reich!!

If you can get him to agree with that then we all just dandy....you BIG DANDY.

Looking down at a report Arnold continues

Ohh, will you look at that everyone.

Arnold waves a piece of paper in on of his Black Mail fists

The Imperial spy Ermolt is reporting ANOTHER Hungarian armyu is threatening Austria's borders AGAIN!!

Are you truly that naive Jan??

[TevashSzat]

As I repeat again, do not ignore my proposal simply because there is no way that the Kaiser would be forced to step down, but let it serve as a place of discussion. I have little hope that he will be forced to step down, but I still wish for this to occur so we can get the facts straight about his ascendancy. Do it if you will for the complacency of Swabia. Perhaps if a suitable discussion occurs, then Hans and Wolfgang may be able to accept the new rule.

I am sure that everyone does not wish for half of Swabia ready to go against any proposal of the Kaiser which would amount to a very frustrating reign. Am I right?

[Stig]

But what arguments can you bring against Siegfried?
Surely you have seen Kaiser Jobst's will, he did appoint him Heir. I agree it is very strange, I mean if you choose a Kastillien, then why Siegfried? But we have to live with it, I'm sure my little brother has everything to become a good emperor, tho I think he might need some guidance, he's still young.

[AussieGiant]

I second edict 11.2.

For the sake of complete loyalty and to ensure no room for "interpretation" or lingering doubt I believe this process to be necessary. I am therefore in favour of an expedited investigation.

Arnold sits to being writing

Raising his heads at Ansehelm's words Arnold continues

The very points you talk about are what need to be entirely confirmed Ansehelm.

There can be no debate. Because there is, then therefore I believe we should conduct this review as soon as possible.

[Privateerkev]

Jan turns to Arnold

My dear good Duke,

If your having trouble with being attacked, then maybe we should look at why we have put ourselves in such indefensible situations. We do quite fine in the Outremer without murdering our prisoners.

Jan turns to Scherer

My Duke,

The Kaiser is God's chosen leader for the Reich. There is nothing more to discuss. It is God that chooses our Kaiser. Emperor Siegfried is our Kaiser. People need to learn to live with it. I will not support an edict that debates that which can not be debated.

[Stig]

I know they have to be confirmed Arnold, but have you read the last letter written by our last emperor?

[Stuperman]

I will also second Edict 11.2.

It seems to me that any Kaiser who can't control members of his own house...Gerhard glares at Jan...and was appointed under such suspect conditions should ensure he has the formal support of all the houses.

[Stig]

I propose Edict 11.3:
This Edict will be a complete copy of Edict 10.4
An expeditionary force will march on Moscow, via Russian - not Polish - provinces (Riga, Novogorod etc). It must engage any enemy field armies it meets along the way, but only besiege Moscow. It will consist of a single stack and will not be reinforced except from locally recruited mercenaries. Moscow will be sacked and abandoned, although no buildings will be destroyed.



The Expeditionary Force is finished, Thorn is safe, and little else is needed. The Crusade can always be asked to return since it's not an official one. Thorn is secured, there's no reason why this mission can not begin, it will harm no-one but the people taking part, and they are willing to give their lives to take Moscow.