Conseil du Royaume

**_Tristan_** · 08-07-2009, 08:08

So Sieur de Neufville, you pretend to know what is best for the Kingdom better than your King ?

The Normans, true to their ancestry of pillagers, are greedy bastards, my cousin the first among them. I think it would be a shame not to exploit that weakness to break the siege situation which Bretagne is suffering right now.

I will concede that it is not the best of solutions but we cannot go to war with the English and we need to bring relief to Bretagne.

Can you find another solution ?

At least, I will ask you to rescind your Edict as it is too binding on the Seneschal. As you may have noticed, I have not proposed any legislation towards buying Angers as I intended my proposal to be a guideline for the Seneschal rather than an order.

As to Edict 1.8, I will support it but will ask Sieur de Linars to rewrite it notably the part about having our diplomat remain near the Scottish capital à perpetuité. I would very much prefer a statement that this diplomat shall remain on the British Isle, thus enabling him to conduct business both with Scotland and England rather than limit his scope.

**Ignoramus** · 08-07-2009, 08:46

Gaspard turns to Philippe.

Mon roi, you asked for your nobles advice - I merely gave mine.

I believe in relieving the state of Bretagne, but not by bargaining with the Normans. And indeed, if the Normans be as greedy as you say - for I would not know, being born and bred in Bourgogne - such a beneficial deal to the Regnum could hardly be concluded.

I fear, mon Roi, I cannot rescind the edict. Otherwise, I may as well pack mon bags, saddle mon horses, and return to mon estates right now. If such an edict passed, it would have the support of the majority of your nobles; if it failed, it would not have such support.

If you were to rule the Regnum without a Seneschal, I would most certainly refrain from binding mon roi.

Gaspard respectfully resumes his seat.

**ULC** · 08-07-2009, 09:00

Gaetan and rises, a look of incredulity upon his face.

"All due respect Gaspard - but favor does not come with being cheeky to your sovereign unless he asks you to jest before him. What you propose, is that the Royaume send ships to aid Rennes, but do you not see the logistical feet your asking?"

"No settlement in possession of the Royaume could construct the ships needed, not for quite sometime, and the only nearby settlement that can do so with expediency is Bruges or Provence, and one of those is controlled by the Germans."

"Then, we ust contend with the English where they are most comfortable, upon the sea, and if you concur with their greed, then you would realize they would capitalize upon such easy prey for them."

Gaetan shakes his head and seats himself, having said his part.

**_Tristan_** · 08-07-2009, 09:16

Sieur de Rethel, I thank you...

I did not mean to linger upon the lacks of Sieur de Neufville's reasoning but seeing how stubborn he is in supporting such a course of action, I thank you for sparing me the statement of the obvious.

Anyway, as it seems you have chosen to defy the will of your King, you are forcing my hand and that of the soon appointed Seneschal. Your Edict has not gain supporters yet but should it gain enough to be proposed before the Conseil in the voting session, I cannot allow for this opportunity to be closed to our Seneschal simply because, you, Sieur de Neufville, consider it inappropriate.

So, I will propose the following legislation :

Edict 1.10 : The Seneschal will strive to buy Angers from the English during his term and at the earliest opportunity. The Princess Constance may be sent to parlay with the English but no later than three seasons (OOC 3 turns) when she will make her way to Rome. If no accord has been reached then, a diplomat will be recruited for that purpose. This edict will take precedence over Edicts 1.7 and 1.8. Once Angers is bought, the diplomat will either be sent south or north according to Edicts 1.7 or 1.8.

**OverKnight** · 08-07-2009, 12:56

Hugues speaks.

I second Edict 1.10. I am glad that the Edict leaves a bit of wriggle room in case the English demand too high of a price.

It galls me a bit to pay for land which rightfully belongs to the Kingdom. However if succesful we will reunite Bretagne with the rest of the realm and split the English holdings while avoiding a war we are not ready for. A bitter truth, but there it is.

**Vladimir** · 08-07-2009, 13:00

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Mon Rei,

The wording of edict 1.8 is deliberate. It does not prevent the diplomat from accomplishing other duties. The alliance with and existence of the Kingdom of the Scots is vital to our interests. Even though a faction will always have a capital, it will not always be the same city. Our diplomat must remain cognizant of the location and status of their capital which is why he should remain there à perpetuité [thanks for that phrase

].

I believe in the utility of assigning diplomats by region, but the importance of this relationship cannot be understated.

**econ21** · 08-07-2009, 14:07

I second Edict 1.10. The isolation of Bretagne is insufferable, but if it may be ended by peaceful means rather than war, then we must try.

**_Tristan_** · 08-07-2009, 16:48

Sieur de Linars,

While I understand your concern that we must maintain a degree of cooperation with the Ecossais, I do not want to tie our diplomats' hands, in Scotland or elsewhere. Maybe you could rephrase your edict with a provision like this one :

Addendum to Edict 1.8 : The diplomat will remain at the most one season's march away from the Scottish capital at all times.

This would enable him to conduct other, and more covert, duties or even enable him to conduct business with my cousin's cronies to the South.

What do you think, Sieur de Linars ? Is it acceptable to you ?

**_Tristan_** · 08-07-2009, 17:10

Spotting Hermant Mauvoisin in the assembly, Philippe calls after him.

Mauvoisin,

A few days ago, you came to me with an offer of service. Does it still stands ? For if it does and my have employment for you and your company of chevaliers.

While our friends from Lorraine march to reclaim Metz, I have decided to set out and march on Bruges if you would follow me there.

I'll give my regards to the Comte de Flandres myself... at the point of my sword.

**Vladimir** · 08-07-2009, 17:32

Mon Roi [had to review the "Frenchified" thread],

A wise and noble suggestion indeed. I hereby propose a modification to edict 1.8 as follows:

Edict 1.8.1: The Kingdom of France shall immediately secure an alliance with the Kingdom of Scotland. A diplomat shall be hired immediately to secure this alliance. The diplomat will remain, at most, one season's ride away from the Scottish capital.

**econ21** · 08-07-2009, 17:36

Hermant rises at the King's mention of his name:

My King, the Company had planned to support the march on Metz, believing that quest was your priority. But following you in person to Bruges would be a greater glory. I will relay your will to my brother knights.

He bows and hurries from the Council hall.

**Ramses II CP** · 08-08-2009, 03:26

Prince Louis sneers at Gaspard de Neufville before announcing,

I second Edict 1.10.

I would further propose, not as an edict but as a matter of common sense, that all those lacking the grace the rudest peasant would possess to bow to the expressed wishes of their King be excused from this chamber. More specifically, you, Sir Gaspard de Neufville. It was not enough that you revealed your foolishness by standing above your station for Seneschal, but now you greedily seek to block your King and his chosen taskmaster from their course.

It is precisely because of base blooded treacherous curs of your ilk that our great land has fallen so far. You've been instructed to withdraw your edict. It is an act of hideous disloyalty to stand here, before God and King, and refuse their authority.

To whom is this man sworn? Is there a Duke who will answer for his actions?

By the end of his outburst Louis' face has darkened and spittle flies from his lips as the words pour forth. He looks expectantly at the Dukes, now disregarding Gaspard de Neufville entirely.