The Order of the Fleur de Lys

[econ21]

Brother knights, we have discussed the allocation of land to the Order in private but now - by the Grace of His Majesty - it has become a reality.

Currently our Charter states:

Land and units given to the Order
1. Members of the Order may freely possess their own lands and military units.
2. However, if the King or other noble wishes to give land to the Order, only the Captain may formally own it but it will be regarded as Order land.
3. The Captain must transfer ownership of any Order land when he leaves office.
4. If the King or other noble wishes to give military units to the Order, only the Captain may formally own them but they will be regarded as Order units.
5. The Captain must transfer ownership of Order units when he leaves office.

Consequently, our Captain - Gaspard de Neuville - is the formal owner of Antwerp and as such eligible for election to Seneschal in the coming Conseil session; and to set it's build queue and unit prioritisations for the coming 10 seasons.

Following our discussions in private, I propose that when we elect a new Captain, we also approve the following revision of the Charter:

Land and units given to the Order
1. Members of the Order may freely possess their own lands and military units; units under their personal command will not have their ownership transferred if stationed in Order lands or serving in the Order Company.
2. Any land given to the Order will be formally owned by the Order Steward.
3. Ownership of Order land can only be transferred when the Order Steward leaves office, when it must be passed to the next Steward.
4. The Order Captain must appoint an Order Steward in the season of each regular Conseil session.
5. Any units given to the Order, recruited from its settlements or assigned by the Seneschal to garrison its lands will be formally owned the Order Captain.
6. Ownership of Order units can only be transferred when the Captain leaves offcie, when it must be passed to the next Captain.

This revision implies that - at the end of his term - the next Order Captain will appoint a Steward who will govern Antwerp and be eligible to stand for the Seneschal in the subsequent Conseil session. If there are no objections to this revision, we will pass it nem con - otherwise, I will organise a poll requiring a 2/3 majority.

[OOC EDIT: I have revised the above so that a Steward is appointed in time to both run for Seneschal and to set build queues; that means appointment by a Captain at the end of his term, rather than the beginning. I have also written it to protect any personal units members have from having ownership inadvertently transferred and to make units garrisoning Antwerp owned by the Captain not the Steward.]

[econ21]

Brother knights, the Conseil session has started so we must also hold a full Order session.

We have several items of business.

First - who will serve the Company on active duty in the coming 10 seasons?

Second - of those on active duty, who wishes to stand for Order Captain?

Third - we should discuss plans for the Order Company and for our Headquarters. While decisions will be made by the Captain and Steward respectively, it is now that we have time to reflect and consult.

I have previously proposed that - until the season of the next Conseil, Gaspard, our outgoing Captain, will serve as Steward of Antwerp - effectively its Count - and set its build queues and priorisations. I hope there is no objection to this.

For my part, I will continue to serve the Company on active duty. While I had hoped that we can institute a process of rotating active and reserve duty, I think our numbers are still too few for me to leave the Company at this point. I would like to see the Company always at least four brother knights strong, so that we bring real weight to it. I will not stand for Order Captain unless no other man stands.

In terms of priorities for the Order, I commend the current strategy of marching with the King. The Order was formed to defend France and so long as France's monarch has need of us, I can see no better use than to answer his call.

Beyond that, now that we have land, I believe our next concern should be acquiring companies of foot to support us. My ambition is that ultimately our Company be a standalone army capable of independent action. While our King and our Prince have shown that small companies of brave knights may achieve great things, as time goes on our enemies will grow strong and so ultimately we too will need to field proper armies to oppose them. As to how we can acquire companies of foot, we can regard the company in Antwerp as Order property - as well as the company that Gaspard will prioritise as governor of Antwerp. Beyond that, we are reliant on the next Seneschal. Trying to mandate recruitment through edicts is likely to prove counterproductive, so I would urge all members to strive to keep good relations with whoever is elected our Senschal. The Captain would also be wise to protect what few companies of foot we acquire until we have sufficient for their contribution to make a difference.

[Ituralde]

I will be on active duty again and, also again, I will stand for the position of Captain. My father can only die once so I hope this time there will be no interruptions.

If I were elected Captain I would agree with Brother Hermant and give the position of Steward to Brother Gaspard. I haven't heard from him but with land under his belt maybe he is willing to run for the office of Seneshal? Contenders seem to be scarce.

Whoever turns out to be Captain should work closely with the army commanders in the viccinity. This includes of course the King, but also the Dukes of Champagne and Bourgogne who both border the Germans. I'd even consider to split our forces. So long as we don't have an army of our own we can only learn from other capable generals of our Royaume. Watch and learn, that is. The past has shown that rash actions of our members can put us all into a bad light. I don't want this to continue.

What foot we have my be best used to garrison and guard Antwerp. While I would prefer proper training facilities we must make sure that we use Antwerp to the fullest of its potential. If we can't forge swords we will have to buy them

[Ignoramus]

I can set your mind at ease, Brother Simon. I have just announced my candidature in the Conseil. Now it is up to see what the nobles of the realm decide.

Regardless of the result, you may be certain that I will provide the Order with men from Antwerp.

[Marcus Agrippa]

I shall be returning to the mainland and on active duty soon.
I wish to anounce my candicy for Order Captain also.

I see we have warred with the Germans and left France under the grip of English oppression. Also our expansion has sepread us thinly, with militia and peasant troops. I do hope the future brings better things for us but I shall defend our realm no matter what.

[econ21]

I commend Simon and Alexandre for offering to serve the Order as our Captain. I will organise a poll at the same time as the Conseil elections; now and unless otherwise stated in the future, the deadline for nominations for the post of Captain will be the same as that for Seneschal.

So we have three committed to be on active duty - Simon, Alexandre and myself. Who else will ride with the Company? Gaspard, do you wish to join us or would you prefer to personally oversee Antwerp?

There is also an urgent confidential matter I wish to discuss with you all (pls check social group).

[Northnovas]

I am available to remain on active duty.