Conseil du Royaume

[GeneralHankerchief]

Raynaud de Xaintrailles:

Indeed, that was my intention. There is no purpose of a purge if it is not thoroughly executed. If you like, I will modify my edict to make this clear.

[Ignoramus]

Gaspard de Neufville rises to give his opinion on the Crusades.

I would only support a Crusade against the Moors if the conquered lands were placed under the rule of Leon. Any other action would be opportunistic, rather than motivated by sincere and pious motives.

A Crusade to the Holy Land, however, would need to be governed by the nobles who won the land, for there are no other Christian states to govern them.

[Andres]

Raynaud de Xaintrailles:

Indeed, that was my intention. There is no purpose of a purge if it is not thoroughly executed. If you like, I will modify my edict to make this clear.

Maybe you should, because if it passes as it is now, we risk some "chivalrous" types leading a crusading army and ruining our economy. And getting themselves killed by the "honorably" released captives.

I'd add that all captured prisoners need to be hanged.

They're heathens anyway, so who cares?

[GeneralHankerchief]

Raynaud de Xaintrailles:

Very well, if I hear one more voice in support of this change, I will modify the edict. In the meantime, I will let others decide whether they wish to legislate about the treatment of prisoners.

[econ21]

"Duc Alain de Rohan, you honour us by declaring yourself ready to lead. What, pray, is your manifesto? And is there any legislation that you will require to fulfill it?

We have heard that Duc Hugues de Champagne will not run. What of Prince Louis and Duc Raymond de Provence? A contest is healthy for the Kingdom, particularly if it focuses minds on her future direction. But the sand glass is running and any debate between contestants must begin soon if the voting is to be informed."

[_Tristan_]

The King stands and all murmurs stops.

Mes seigneurs, you all know me to be a staunch defender de notre Mere l'Eglise. I have not forgotten that were it not for the bravery of Charles Martel at Poitiers notre Royaume would have fallen to the Muslim hordes.

Nevertheless, while I can understand the fear and loathing that knowing the Moors have set foot and now have a hold on European soil can create, we must not give way to the fanaticism of a Crusade yet. Les Espagnols et Portuguais are not defeated yet and have managed to create a standstill. Now how would they like to see bands of religious fanatics scour their land for that is how Crusades are led, like swarms of crickets, devastating the countryside which they cross ?

Moreover, I do not wish to see France expand beyond its natural borders while there still remains home territories to regain, and as you well know, this is not for tomorrow.

Even if such a Crusade was granted by the Pope, I agree with the proposal that was made before that all lands reconquered by our amrs by returned to its rightful owner le Roi de Castille et Leon. This would create a strong bond between our two kingdoms, leaving us free to deal with the English and the Germans in their own time, even calling upon our allies to help us.

Once my daughter is in Rome, if this assembly wishes to pursue this course, I will ask her to plead our cause before le Saint Père, but not before.

One other matter requires my attention, I think... I do not like some of the debate going in these halls. Particularly, I do not like the bickering and ambition that worms itself into your words, mes Seigneurs.

While I agree that France must be returned to her former glory de l'Empire de Charlemagne, France will have only one ruler and I will deal with our conquests as I see fit. Should I decide to give Angers to Bourgogne rather than Bretagne, that is my will and I will not have it contradicted. So do not presume to know what course I will hold.

Lastly, I do not like the proposition of binding the Seneschal hands by forcing him to recruit men to give a Seigneur rather than another.

However, if he's willing, I will look favorably to recruiting myself those mercenaries as needed, with the Seneschal necessary allotment of funds and provide them to the general that will seem the most capable of successfully leading the agrred uopn conquests.

Speaking of which, I am saddened and a bit worried for the fate of France when I see so few among its leaders wishing to step up and run for the position of Seneschal.

Turning to his son.

Louis, I would have thought that you would have relished the prospect of taking part of the power of the King before your time ?

Then, scanning the ranks of the dukes.

What of you Provence ? Champagne ? What better way to vie for my favour than to prove yourself worthy by leading the realm on the path of grandeur ?

That said, I will leave you to debate the matters at hand.

[Ramses II CP]

Prince Louis draws his gaze away from Bertin to address his father's concern,

Mon Pere I know more of your heart than you may suspect, and it is not my desire to create dissent by rising above my already lofty place. The day may come when I believe our Kingdom is best served by my taking on the role of Seneschal, but that day is not yet.

On the matter of the Crusade, the edict is most carefully worded to allow ample time for the development of forces towards this noble end. If you wish it I am certain it can be altered to include a provision for temporary ownership of the provinces preperatory to returning them to their prior Christian owners.

I will once more point out, on my own, that the royal prerogative should not be presumed upon. Bertin withdraw your edict. It has felt the disfavor of your King, your Prince, and your own allies within your House. To be true to your intent is noble to a point, and foolishly stubborn beyond that point.

[Marcus Agrippa]

Alexandre rises to speak

My King, Dukes and brother knights.

I Have listened and see much division in our collective thoughts.
With my Ducs permission I shall soon join the company of the Fleur De Lyes and run for it's captain.
I am a Chivilrous man and that means I do what is right.

I believe bringing the near east Metz under our protection would serve our imediate interests.
If the order pursues this and is supported by the King and the Duke of Lorraine then we stand to be united and serving our King and country, our royal highnest shall do with the provence as he sees fit.
While this would be done bringing our focus to restoring France without a war we can't fight, we could pursue alliances to secure our borders.

In this the order will not be at odds with any Duchy.
The order fights for the good of France and the King.

[Andres]

Thierry is in deep thought and looks up. He takes a sip of his goblet of water and stands up to address the Counseil.

Messieurs, it seems like we are not going to war with the English soon and I understand the wisdom behind that.

I also understand that we are going to build infrastructure in our Royaume, which is also a wise course of action.

But, we also have the English present in our very own lands. Yes, we are not powerful enough yet to take the initiative and start war, but we shouldn't be naive by assuming they won't attack us first in the near future. Once the treacherous English make their first moves, we'll need to mass recruit troops.

Some of you speak of conquering rebelious settlements, but we'll need troops for that. I understand that mercenaries will be recruited for that purpose.

Infrastructure is expensive, mercenaries are expensive, recruiting troops to defend ourselves against an attack of the English, is expensive.

We need money.

My esteemed colleague, Raynaud de Xaintrailles, talks about a "Holy Crusade". I prefer to call a spade a spade: we need money, the Moors have rich cities, let's take their money to finance our expensive projects. It will also give an opportunity to the more restless among us to prove themselves on the battlefield. It might be a good lesson for those "chivalrous and honorable" types among us, so that they learn that a silly tournament and a real war are not the same.

It is with this in mind, that I second Edict 1.5. But I'd like to repeat my query to Raynaud and insist that he rephrases it so that all settlements be sacked and all buildings destroyed. Since making money is the purpose, I'd also suggest that we try to ransom the prisoners we take. Of course, if no money is paid, the lifes of our captives are worthless and they should be hanged.

Thierry sits down again.