Conseil du Royaume

**Cultured Drizzt fan** · 09-25-2009, 00:33

Originally Posted by Braden

The next issue is the Milanese. I too have heard reports of at least one army, small this is true, near our Mediterranean coast. They are certainly no direct military threat as they are small but they can stop trade, affecting the states income, and if they do have aggressive intent they are more than capable of besieging one of our cities and potentially starving it out before aid arrives.

Should we strike at such an army though, even if they are in our own territory…would we…AGAIN…be verbally assaulted by the Papacy for striking at our Catholic neighbours?

Personally, I would see a small force sent to destroy these incursions where-ever they occur but perhaps just a significantly superior force needs to chaperone these forces away from our provinces?

Of course, it would also be more advantageous to attack these formations as the Milanese are rich and could pay ransom for their wandering men but I still am perplexed by the Popes responses to us of late.

Ad the baron of Marseilles I would like nothing more to see the Italians sent running back to there homes, and for us to follow through and take the wealth of Italy. However, sadly we do not have the resources in place to start and finish such a campaign, and if current trends hold we will not have it for a long time yet. This war worth the Germans bleeds us dry, and we can not afford to turn our eye elsewhere, for without our constant harassment they might be able to gather together and push our forces back. It is for a similar reason we must be wary of any crusades we seek to call, for if we move forces from the east front I believe we will soon find our gains thus far gone. But I believe I may be off topic.... I was talking of the Milanese not the Germans. If they continue to loiter around our land I assure you they shall find myself marching against them soon enough, whether we have proper forces in place or not!

**OverKnight** · 09-25-2009, 03:53

Hugues stands, a bit refreshed.

I thank the Nobles of the Realm for their efforts, but the building of watchtowers is no longer needed.

(OOC: Don't build watchtowers if you take the save. I'll do it.)

Thank you.

**Ignoramus** · 09-25-2009, 03:59

On hearing the Dauphin speak, Gaspard rises to his feet and speaks solemnly.

"I do not know who this fellow is, but I hereby challenge him to a duel. Let us see what this fellow is made of."

Noticing the alarmed faces, Gaspard hurriedly continues.

"Not to the death, bon messieurs, do not worry. I only wish to cross sword and lance with the newest member of the royal family."

Gaspard resumes his seat.

**Braden** · 09-25-2009, 08:28

Originally Posted by Cultured Drizzt fan

Ad the baron of Marseilles I would like nothing more to see the Italians sent running back to there homes, and for us to follow through and take the wealth of Italy. However, sadly we do not have the resources in place to start and finish such a campaign, and if current trends hold we will not have it for a long time yet. This war worth the Germans bleeds us dry, and we can not afford to turn our eye elsewhere, for without our constant harassment they might be able to gather together and push our forces back. It is for a similar reason we must be wary of any crusades we seek to call, for if we move forces from the east front I believe we will soon find our gains thus far gone. But I believe I may be off topic.... I was talking of the Milanese not the Germans. If they continue to loiter around our land I assure you they shall find myself marching against them soon enough, whether we have proper forces in place or not!

My lord. Rest assured, I was only speaking of harrying or attacking those formations actually within our lands to ensure proper flow of trade. We are not in a fit state to assault them directly.

...that is an interesting developement with my Sister...

**_Tristan_** · 09-25-2009, 09:19

Philippe smiles to the assembled nobles.

Ah, Constance... Ever the one for surprises it seems... I had heard from one of her maid that some young Italian lad had caught her eye, but knowing my daughter I was surprised to hear her talk of marriage...

Nevertheless the man is of good standing, part of the Venetian ruling family and with a claim to the Doge seat, even if tenuous. And if he's willing to deal with Constance, I wish all the good to him...

To the newly weds !! (Philippe raises a goblet brought by a servant for a toast)

To celebrate such a joyful occasion, I think it is high time I made amends... A good ruler should recognize when or where he's in the wrong, and that I have been these past few years...

I wish to apologize to Duc Alain for the harshness in words and deeds I may have displayed against him and his House.

He surely didn't make things easy on him but I can allow for his surliness and anger with the unfair treatment I've been giving him.

I set him as Senechal a difficult mission, a mission at which he didn't balk or quail in fear at but tried to accomplish to the best of his abilities. He succeeded in what few could have accomplished : taking land on the British Isle under the nose of Guillaume, a thorn in the British lion side, a thorn which may serve us well to kick the English out of France.

And this was accomplished while he also had to manage the day-to-day life of the Royaume as Senechal, a balancing feat few ould have been capable of.

I hope Alain will accept my apologies and should he do so, I offer him as a reconcilation gift the good city of Bruges, as a token of my faith in him to be a good servant of the Royaume.

Should he accept the gift, all I would require of him is to release the men garrisoning Bruges and send them back to Paris to bolster the defences of our Capital City.

**OverKnight** · 09-25-2009, 09:28

Hugues bows to the King.

A gracious offer your Majesty.

Hugues looks expectantly at Alain.

I am sure the Duc will accept.

A tinge of doubt can be heard in his voice.

**Braden** · 09-25-2009, 09:50

*Prince Henri dutifully reads the Sceneshals reports*

My lords, it is a great pity that the Pope chooses this moment to Excommunicate the English is it not. We have lost one good holding in Iberia and 1,700 florins but Gods will is done and to this end the calls of this council to strike at England must be considered in more detail and seriously. Should we not strike at a neighbour who has fallen so far...what would the Pope feel towards us? I sincerely hope that we take this opportunity to unify France fully and completely. Whilst I do not believe an assault on Englands isles is prudent we could again look to Valencia as another avenue of battle with the English once, and only once, the remaining provinces of France are in our rightful hands.

The Germans worry me still of course but I believe that the Kings army near Frankfurt and the garrison at Dijon will be sufficient to stifle incursions from both the Upper and Lower Rhine areas, especially if the Kings Army withdraws to a point between Frankfurt and Metz.

My sister Constance, I wish her all happiness...for truly to have a daughter so rapidly after marriage must indicate happiness...I will miss her deeply though but her husband seems to have the makings of a significant governor and in the near future I hope that we will have need of such people when we take back what is ours.

**OverKnight** · 09-25-2009, 10:05

Hugues nods a bit sheepishly.

I am not a seer. I made the best deal I could with the knowledge I had at the time.

I expect there to be much discussion in the Conseil about war with England and a possible Crusade.

However, the Germans have not rolled over. They still hide behind the Pope's robes and regain their strength. If we strip our Realm of forces to pursue a Crusade, we open up ourselves to German invasion. While I am working toward developing the finances of the Kingdom, I do not believe we are strong enough, yet, to support two wars at once.

**deguerra** · 09-25-2009, 10:05

Prince Henri, forgive me for speaking so bluntly, but your desire for war worries me. I understand that you youths need to get some blood smeared on you to cover up the wetness behind your ears, but I for one strongly discourage any sort of armed conflict against yet another foe when we have not even managed to come to a settlement in the last rash war.

In any case, it is my belief that our rightful lands in France can be reclaimed with a minimum of bloodshed, most preferably through negotiation. Now that they have managed to incur the wrath of his holiness, who seems to change his mind more swiftly than a child of three, they will all the more be looking for a friend. I do not speak for an alliance with Albion, but surely even they must recognise their position is hardly strong (OOC: If only Raoul knew about the Total War AI).

Finally, let me congratulate Constance on her marriage, even though the nationality of the groom is only outmatched in curiosity by his age.

**Braden** · 09-25-2009, 10:16

My lord Châtillon,

You would have us negotiate with a King who has been judged Heretic? I speak of war with only the English…as a Frenchman this is not a “desire” but a necessity. The English have shown themselves to NOT be willing to negotiate at a level that we can match again.

They accepted our offer of TWO provinces AND significant coin for Caen. Surely they only accepted such a generous offer after they heard they were to be Excommunicated? Gathering provinces and coin to defend themselves…if I had been English, it is as I would have done.

I am also certain that all our hard efforts, from our hard working Seneschal, would be adversely affected if the Papacy discover we are talking in favourable terms with the English.

We have been handed an opportunity by Gods representative on Earth to reclaim our historic lands and, as a Catholic and Frenchman I cannot ignore such an opportunity.

The Germans are NOT finished, I concur, but the danger to our East is outweighed by the benefits shown us to the West…you must also note that such a campaign in the West would not have my direct involvement. I pledge to hold the Germans back with my blood and my blade so that others can free our people from the English heretic.

**AussieGiant** · 09-25-2009, 10:14

Alain stands slowly and bows to the King.

Your Majesty, I accept your sincere apology 'ere in zis shamber and give you mine in return. I apologies for my past tone and anger toward ze King.

I appreciate ze words you 'ave spoken 'ere which go a long way towards creating a better understand of what occurred all zose years ago.

Zank you my King.

I will move my seat to Bruges and send you ze requested troops to Paris as soon as I 'ave ze city garrisoned.

Some what stiffly Alain continues.

I also congratulate Princess Constance on 'er marriage and wish 'er good 'ealth and 'appiness in ze future.

There is a stiffled laugh by members of his retinue at the last statement. Medoc turns and grumbles his displeasure, quietening the situation immediately.