Conseil du Royaume

[Ramses II CP]

Firstly I would discourage Sir Mauvoisin from any additional napping during this session of the Council. My declaration of candidacy preceded his request by a fair amount of time.

Secondly I would encourage Sir de Saint-Amand to expand on his positions somewhat. Do you mean to ask current field armies to release their mercenaries from service? I intend, perhaps more circumspectly, to do the same. Indeed I volunteer to have all mercenaries in House Aquitaine forces disbanded at the end of the current session should I be elected Seneschal, as an example to the other Houses. Other Houses who volunteer similarly shall recieve priority in their requests for replacement recruits from our castles.

Thirdly I am curious to what further extent my opponent would have us prosecute the English war? Shall we conquer all of Albion and set up our own far flung kingdom there, as William attempted to do here? I do not favor such a course. The war with England is over. If they have the temerity to attack we should crush them, but if they merely sit back and fume then what purpose funding further armies and expeditions into their broken and destitute lands?

I believe there is an honorable peace to be hand with the German people. We have whittled away their Kaisers and the will of their nobles to fight as we have whittled away their nation. There must come a time when peace is preferrable to extermination. If the King wishes peace, if he trusts we have repaid their treachery, then peace can be found, I am certain of it.

The Council has spoken their will on the matter of a Moorish crusade already. I suggest that we put the matter of what to do with taken territory up to a vote. I vow to follow the results of such a vote no matter what they are; it is not the intent of my House to profit above others from a crusade as I believe we have repeatedly made abundantly clear.

For all the men lost in our campaigns I say a prayer, as I always have, but is it not also true that God granted us our positions for a purpose? The loss of a noble life is a matter of some weight, and it is fitting that we mourn our own friends, our own sort, even as the friends and kind of our soldiers mourn theirs. All these lives are given freely for France. We are the descendants of warriors and we follow a King who wears a lion's heart in battle! Some blood must fall so that the glory of God and Franks surpasses all others. Weep, yes, but do not turn aside from battles. Peace at any cost has not passed the lips of any man here.

I mean to bring peace to our enemies at the point of our sword, and to maintain us in such strength that it would be folly for them to come against us. Surely the world itself trembles at the thought of France whole and enraged. If they do not, they will, most especially the heathens and infidels, cowering filth that they are.

Louis voice rings with passion as he finishes his speech, and still he casts a wry glance in the direction of the founder of the Order at the end.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

I have listened and thought about what has been said here..

Firstly, Louis, good luck with your candidacy.

Secondly, I do not support the idea of leaving territories we conquered in England to English or Scots. Like Louis said .. "Shall we conquer all of Albion and set up our own far flung kingdom there, as William attempted to do here?" .. Perhaps not a kingdom but Duchy instead? To the commoners in England it shouldn't matter whether we rule them or successors of William.

Thirdly, I do not support calling a crusade against the Moors. Crusades shouldn't be called so easily. If we should call against every enemy we have .. Well.. That's just stupid. If people want Crusade then call one against those heathens who control Jerusalem! Instead calling crusade we should help our Allies, Spanish, there with our money. If we take more and more land there this will most certainly upset our Christian brothers there.

Fourthly, I hate Germans! .. Just so that everyone knows that.. However, it's time to end this war with them.

[KnightnDay]

On the question of mercenaries, I did indeed intend that our armies should replace them with men of our own. It is good that we find common ground in this matter.

On the question of the prosecution of the English war, you say it is over. And when did it end? Ah yes, I had forgotten, it ended after the last English soldier was hurled from the cliffs in your last battle. But highness, I must be the one to tell you their friends have picked up the sword and cry out for vengeance in light of such acts. Will the English king look to an earnest settlement with a people represented by one whose reputation is tarnished by a certain degree of…dare I say it, brutality?

As to my own conduct, my acts on the battlefield speak of a respect for my adversaries. I believe that they in turn respect that and would be more inclined to treat with us.

Regarding the Germans, I have come to know them quite well now, in the course of my rule in Frankfurt and on the battlefields to our east. It may come as a surprise for some to know that they blame us for initiating this war. Now do not mistake what I say as questioning how this dispute began, I simply point out what they believe to be true. And revenge is what is on their minds at the moment, not peace for a province and several thousand florins. These people are not broken, nor deterred. No matter how many of the men who call themselves Kaiser perish, they are determined to come at us. Forget not, these are the descendants of Attila, the man who brought down the greatest empire of its day. It is why a pope now sits on the throne in Rome rather than a man with the title of Caesar.

Naturally the decision of the disposition of Moorish lands and indeed ones in England are best discussed within these walls. I have stated what I would favor in Iberia, but it is a decision which quite naturally must be one that has support of our greater body.

Men of the conseil, you have heard the voices of but two men who ask to serve you in our good name. One day, the voice of one of them will most likely be heard from the very throne upon which his majesty Philippe now sits. But it is not this day. I ask in this moment, consider our respective nature as you have had the opportunity to observe it and ask yourselves which is closer to the virtues necessary for guiding this body should be.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

de Saint-Amand, Germans sent their army on our lands. They used supplies from our villages and warmed themselves in the homes of our people. If this is not act of hostility then I don't know what is! They are responsible for all the misery that fell upon them!

[econ21]

Hermant stands up sheepishly.

My Prince, I wish you well in your candidacy and apologise for failing to acknowledge it. I arrived belatedly at these proceedings and my mind must have been still drifting somewhere on the Channel when I skimmed the transcript of the session so far. Unless speeches proposed Edict 3.this or seconded Edict 3.that, I fear I may have overlooked them. I will study your words more carefully, in future, your Royal Highness.

I am also pleased to hear of Thomas's candidacy - a contest is healthy for our governance.

On the matter of mercenaries, I would just caution that their cost often reflects their quality.

Is there any settlement in this land that can afford to outfit its own foot sergeants in mail? I suspect not and if so, there is a case for employing mercenary spearmen. A smaller number of higher quality men is especially attractive in situations such as bridge defences and sieges, where an army's full numbers cannot be brought to bear. I note that many of our victories against superior odds tend to be battles of this kind.

Additionally, it should be noted that mercenary crossbowmen can outrange the best crossbowmen France can train. I believe this consideration may make them a good buy.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

This mercenary issue have made me think and..

I propose

Edict 3.4 Mercenary units can not garrison any settlements.

As I've heard, sometimes the best way to leave a garrison to a newly conquered settlement is recruiting some mercenaries. However, this is just stupid way to waste money. Also, it's known that loyalty of mercenaries will change if offered more money than you can give them.

[OverKnight]

While his lord is still absent, Reeves posts a list of the proposed legislation.

[Marcus Agrippa]

My lords,

We have fought and gained great victories and land. I salute your accomplishments.
However our lands are simple and basic. I believe peace and investment would bring us riches to enhance our cities and castles to bring technological advancement.
We have finished our business on Albion and we should tie up lose ends.
Trade with the Engish and an alliance with the Scots would benifit us more than conflict and subjugation.
To this I propose:

Edict 3.5: 1.The liberation of Edinburgh by force of arms or trade of London, to be settled in the next senechals term.
2.Edinburgh should be returned to Scottish ownership Along with York for an Alliance.

I should ask the counsel Consider war with the Moors to be perferable for any future expansion.
I believe we need to improve what we have and not expand any further, but our more restless nobles could put their efforts to the Moors where we have a war already.

[Braden]

I second Edict 3.4

[_Tristan_]

Mes Seigneurs,

What I hear in this Conseil makes me wonder if the nobility of France didn't have its brain addled by too many battles and suffered too many strokes to the head...

I've already stated my opposition to Edict 3.1 and the grounds on which I base such an opposition. Furthermore said Edict would require me to turn tail most dishonourably, something which I will not do.

On the matter of mercenaries, they are expedient. True they are onerous... But with that cost comes professionalism, something which our own army still lacks. Can we field crossbowmen other than poorly trained militia ?
As to thier loyalty, mercenaries are loyal to coin, so, as long as we cn provide they'll be loyal to us... And frankly, if they were not in our service, they would be in the service of our enemies as has been evidenced in Pamplona : where did you think the defenders got their reinforcements from ? I remember my son Louis wondering about the disappearance of the mercenary companies in Iberia... He ought to have look at our enemies' lines. The almost same thing happened here in England and was partly cause of the death of Robert Bouchart.

And as I said in the beginning, they are expedient. None of the proposed legislation takes into account the needs of our generals in the field. What if one general, at the front, needed some reinforcements with only mercenaries available and Louis' proposal was in effect, and his House had already received its quota ? Then he would be left stranded and certainly defeated and maybe killed ? What if riots threatened in one of our border provinces and the only ting that could restore order would be the recruitment and garrisoning of the city by some mercenay company ? Edict 3.4 would prevent this.

Edict 3.5 doesn't make much sense as it does not state its intent clearly. Why march against Edinburgh when the will of this august body is to abandon the British Isles to their own devices ?

Edict 3.3 is the only edicts which finds grace to my eyes. Though I'm not sure this is the correct course of action, it had least provides a sensible solution to our disentanglement from the Isles.

Thus, when I consider all that I've stated, and with no disrespect intended to my son Louis or Thomas de St-Amand, I will exercise my prerogative and nominate myself to the position of Senechal.

I expect the full cooperation of all Houses in the years to come and await your proposed legislation as to what you feel should be the course we must set in the next term for our Kingdom.

[Braden]

*Henri stands and looks at the gathered Council before he speaks his shoulders slump somewhat*

So, my King, this is your right of course and I will honour this.

*Clearly mixed emotions ride on Henri's face but he contains them and sits down*

[Ramses II CP]

Though it is not necessary I will withdraw my candidacy and issue my fullest support to my father. France will be in the best of hands!

I also wish to propose Edict 3.6

A Crusade shall be declared against the Moors within this Seneschal's term with the intent of reclaiming Iberia for Christendom. Provinces taken in the Crusade shall be considered ratified at the time of conquest. This edict recommends but does not require that the lands be returned to the Spanish.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

No!

I am against this "crusade"! Just like I said we should help Spanish with money rather than call a crusade. It's their land and not ours. If we go there with our armies then it will most likely worsen our relations with the Spanish kingdom!

Or is that what you want, Louis? First you go against the Moors and take their lands. After that you make the Spanish to attack us and take their lands as well? You are not religious person, that I know. So, I wonder why you want this crusade so much?

[deguerra]

I agree with both of you. I think a crusade, finally against a worthy opponent, is an effective measure. At the same time I think it should NOT involve more senseless land-grabbing such as is occurring in England despite all the many previous cries that it was only William we were after. HAH.

So Crusade yes, and return the lands to the Spaniards. Just as the English lands should be returned to a British sovereign, be he English or Scottish.

[TinCow]

*Christophe smiles wryly at Gontran de Linars.*

A most astute observation, sir. I would not wish my edict withdrawing France from those blasted rocks to be used as an excuse for further conquests there. I hereby adopt your suggestion and reword Edict 3.3 as follows:

Edict 3.3: All settlements in the British Isles currently controlled by France will be given to Scotland. The Seneschal must attempt to obtain an alliance with Scotland in return for these settlements. However, if the Seneshal determines that the Scots will not agree to an alliance, no matter how favorable the deal, the Seneshal shall give the provinces to Scotland for whatever deal benefits France the most.

Oh, and I also I hereby second Edict 3.2.

[deguerra]

In line with my above statements, I propose

Edict 3.7

If a Crusade is called on the Moors, via Edict 3.6 or otherwise, all lands conquered on the Iberian peninsula are to be returned to the Kingdom of Spain

[Ramses II CP]

Louis gives his little brother a look of very clear amusement before replying.

I second edict 3.7 and edict 3.3 as amended.

If my prior comments were not sufficient to answer your absurd concern, dear princeling, I trust that second takes care of the matter. The Spaniards are too weak to benefit from financial support, we must aid my wife's people directly.

Furthermore your comments on my faith are unworthy of reply and, quite frankly, insulting in the extreme. If a man challenged me so he would face my answer on the point of my sword. Think twice before you charge me with heathenish impulses again. I am a man of God and none may question that with impunity.

With a raised eyebrow Louis continues, now addressing Charles directly in a low, mock conspiratorial tone,

Does Nana know you're in here? I wouldn't have you in trouble with your minder little duckling. Why don't you run along and make sure it's okay?

[Cecil XIX]

I believe I am in need of a clarification.

If I recall correctly, our charter states that the King's perogative is to appoint himself chancellor, not nominate. Surely his higness meant the former?

[Vladimir]

I wish to support the modified Edict 3.3, Edict 3.2, Edict 3.6, Edict 3.7, and...um can I do that?

*looks to Kip, who shrugs*

*mumbles*

"What we really need is an edict for a damn brothel."

[Braden]

I also second Edict 3.7

[_Tristan_]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

If I recall correctly, our charter states that the King's perogative is to appoint himself chancellor, not nominate. Surely his higness meant the former?

And surely you meant Senechal, Duc Raymond ? We're not Reichlanders...

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Don't forget I'm no native speaker and can't speak "Legalite"... Nominate = appoint in my view...

[Braden]

I would support Edict 3.6 but I feel it goes too far, especially in light of the fact that our next Seneschal is to be the King himself.

This is not an offence to you however, my father, but merely I feel the Edict should focus on getting a Crusade approved, provinces pre-ratified and an intended scope of the Crusade. Should this be all Iberian provinces held by the Moors for example?

On the question of lands being returned to the Spanish, you know my feelings on this matter so again I agree with the Edict in so much as it goes not as far as I wished, but I feel it is not needed in an Edict anymore. Lands ratified will pass to the King, who is also Seneschal, and therefore I believe that in this case he will do what is the best course in this matter. Greatly improved relations with Spain would be a significant boon and should it be chosen to use these Iberian provinces as part of enhancing that relationship I will not stand in its way.

Spain is a “land-neighbour” of our lands and it is important to deal with them well for they have not shown us any disregard.

For those that find my comments at odds somewhat with my own comments regarding the provinces in England…well, I hope it is known now that I do not care for England and purely wish it back in true English hands. Should Edict 3.1 fail then I am heartened to know there are other similar Edicts which mention granting such holdings to Scotland even and I am thankful for them. I hope at least one comes to pass.

[Ramses II CP]

Without 3.6 the lands taken will not be ratified and must wait until a formal Council session to be returned to the Spanish... in my understanding of the law anyway.

Our relations with Spain are near perfect I assure you. My wife reports to her family regularly on the excellence of our ties at my insistence.

[Marcus Agrippa]

My Lords I am dismayed you can not find the purpose on my edict.
I made it quite clear that it will stablies our north and pave the way for trade.
Scotland should be whole and stronger to diswade the English from war.
Unless we are to become conquers we need to make allies and establish trade to allow us to improve our lands. I may also point out that we can train superior soldiers to the mercenaries currently available if we improve our training grounds.
Also the crusade should be against north Africa as we would gain land that would support a future crusade to our holy lands.

[TinCow]

I second Edict 3.6.

[OverKnight]

Hugues enters the Conseil, looking much healthier than in previous years.

I second Edict 3.4. If we must use mercenaries, let them fight for their pay.

I am also intrigued by the idea of offering the Scots land in England. We are overextended and gaining an ally for a buffer would be wise.

[TheFlax]

A young man in pompous and extravagant clothing enters the Conseil and waits shyly for some measure of silence before speaking.

Seigneurs de France!

I present myself, Barbus Selvio, former member of the Venetian Doge's extended family and now husband to the fair Constance, daughter of our great King. I apologize for not presenting myself here sooner, but there were some familial... matters... to attend to in Italy.

Now then, I do not wish to bore you with a long discourse, but let me say I am in awe over what you have accomplished, first in your war against the Holy Roman Empire and then in your war against the English. Truly, your bravery and prowess is unmatched mes Seigneurs and it does me at great honor and pleasure to join your ranks.

Nodding to the assembly, Barbus takes a seat.

[Braden]

*Henri stands and acknowledges Barbus’ entrance*

I thank my….brother…for his words praising our actions thus far and trust such honour and bravery is to be matched by his own in the near future.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Charles looks towards Louis..

I may be young but at least I know how to make sons!

Turning towards Barbus Selvio..

So, what took you so long to get here? Made some money or 'bought' another princess on your way here?
I really don't understand why Constance chose you! Venetian from all people!!

Charles shakes his head..

[AussieGiant]

Alain leans back in his chair and gives the young Charles an exaggerate thumbs up signal.

He mouths the word "Nice".