Chapter XI:
July 1st, 999 AD
With Francia still reeling after the events which took place outside the walls of Reims, the Carolingian claimant Louis of Upper Lorraine has concluded his negotiations with Herbert of Champagne. In return for the ceding of territory from the royal domain to the Counts of Champagne, and in addition the title of Constable being bestowed upon Herbert, Hugh Capet was handed over to Louis, the fate of the Capetian dynasty now resting solely in his hands. Now that an amiable relationship has been ensured between Louis and Herbert, their armies will be free to continue their campaign into the French heartland, and the seat of the monarchy at Paris. Few pro-Capetian forces remain, with Odo-Henry I of Burgundy forced to retreat to his own lands and garisson his towns against William of Toulouse, approaching swiftly from the south. With the rebellion in the Pyrenees ended, the Toulousan forces may now focus all their forces in the campaign to install Louis as King.
In addition to the war of successsion between the Capetian and Carolingian houses, the great lords continue to war with each other on the peripheral areas of Francia. In the north, Baldwin of Flanders has continued to wield an agressive campaign against the Duchy of Normandy, besieging the city of Rouen with a large infantry force. Meanwhile, the opposing forces of Richard of Normandy are caught up in their own domestic concerns, with food supplies running short after the army served several months in the field against the pretender Hugh II of Maine. Nonetheless, there are fresh Norse recruits in Richard's army, hailing from the more remote areas of Normandy, and these could prove crucial in helping to ensure a swift end to the conflict. Immediately to the south, Odo of Blois and Fulk of Anjou continue to war over the disputed Touraine region. While Fulk was quick to ensure the loyalty of the western half of the region, the forces of Blois are now stronger, and better equipped to see out the war.
Some form of stability appears to have been achieved in southern Francia. Revolts were suppressed simultaneously in the southern mountainous regions of both Gascony and Toulouse, leaving the rulers of these powers with fresh armies at their disposal. Generally, southern Francia has continued to flourish while the north descends into chaos, with trade from the Mediterranean and a generally more advanced infrastructure encouraging trade to grow.
Now that the potential for dispute within the Carolingian cause appears to have been removed, surely it will only be a matter of time before Louis' military might ensures for himself the crown his forefathers wore...
Decisions will be sent by PM as is the procedure now.
Also, apologies for the long delay in getting this out.
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