Conseil du Royaume

[deguerra]

Raoul stands and, clearly unused to speaking publically, clears his throat

My congratulations also to our new Senschal. I hope he will fulfill his duties with the same deviotion and professionalism as the last.

I don't speak here often, as I am a fighter not an orator. But it seems the conversation has strayed into my sort of territory.

First, Bourgogne needs men. I realize I am speaking for my own Duchy here, but unlike the other Duchies, Bourgogne has partaken in no aggressive expansion, has not used up resources. We are on the front lines, however, and it cannot be that we are overlooked. In fact, as it is a matter of some urgency, what I would really like to see is the other Duchies allowing us to recruit from their lands.

Secondly, mercenaries. If you want my fighting opinion, they are overpaid, dirty, untrustworthy and unfortunately worth every penny we spend on them at the moment. But what France needs is a potent force of her own, and what that force must be is armoured knights on horseback. This is how we held back the Moors at the Battle of Tours and Poitiers and this is how we will hold back any foreign aggressor. Infantry is a waste of time and resources, mercenaries and militia are perfectly suited to fulfill that role: to bulk up the ranks.

Thirdly, and here I am speaking in an area of which I know little, I cannot say I like the idea of any long-term hold on Frankfurt. It is German, has always been German and will remain German and trying to impose a French sovereign on them will only lead to trouble. I say trade it off as soon as practicable.