ARCHIVE - Court of His Holiness in Rome

[Bagricula]

Court of His Holiness in Rome

Patrimonium Sancti Petri​

Court of His Holiness, Nicholas V, Vicar of Christ, Papa Universalis, Summus Pontifex, Pontifex Maximus, Servus Servorum Dei, Patriarch of the West, Primate of Italy, Metropolitan of the Roman Province, and Bishop of Rome​

Buongiorno! Welcome to Roma and Lo Stato della Chiese the center of the old pagan empire and the Throne of the Successors of St. Peter. Today you walk the same streets that in antiquity were walked by senators, centurions, plebians, and emperors, the same streets which have changed with haughty elitism the face and future of the Church like no other. Indeed, first a man must be elected Bishop of Rome before he can even touch the jewel-studded tiara with its three crowns. Even after election, many supreme pontiffs have knelt before the Roman crowds. The rivalry between the Colonna and Orsini families reverberates through the titanic struggle of crowned dynasties and nation-states. Though in decay and no longer built of brilliant marble as once it was, like an ancient aristocrat Roma watches the world with cool disdain, remembering her glory days.

The Palatine Hill no longer houses the wealthy patrician families holding lavish orgies at which decisions would be made that would like a great lever change the destiny of a world-spanning empire. Instead, in newer poorer construction built more for defense from rivals than for the ostentatious display of power Italian nobles, sons and daughters of Roman vassals who at one would not even have been given the right of being listed in the Census, live. The fora no longer serve as the hubs of the greatest nation ever seen. Instead, goats and cattle wander among the stones upon which Cicero spoke and chew at grass growing from the same ground that accepted the blood of Julius Caesar. Instead, the golden palaces and creamy marble columns of Rome rest now on the Vatican Hill, The Hill of Prophets and Poets. Here the palatial estates, grandiose basilicae, and Arcadian gardens of the single most powerful organization in Europe were squeezed together in a mish-mash of styles and ages, built on in unending extravagance by successive popes, each trying to accomodate the increasingly complex and bureacratic government of the Holy Mother Church.

Protocols of the Holy See

Primus - The Supreme Pontiff is the sole sovereign of Lo Stato della Chiese and first among all the princes of the world. He is the Vicar of Christ on Earth, and may as Successor of St. Peter create and destroy any law and hear any case with the sanction of the Creator. Tradition dictates that upon greeting His Holiness all must kiss his feet.

Secundus - The Vatican unlike anywhere else in the world, houses the sole steward on God's behalf for the entire Earth. In the presence of His Holiness no weapons are to be carried unless the bearer does so in the service of His Holiness, for our Lord said unto St. Peter, "Those who live by the sword, die by the sword."

Tertius - As the center of Christendom, within the precints of Rome and the Italian lands of the Papacy, no Infidels or Apostates shall be endured. Jews and Jewesses shall be confined to the precints of Rome, that they might be dazzled by the light of God and thus come to Him as Saul became Paul. Heretics, including those in obedience to the Patriarchs of the East but ignorant of the Supreme Pontiff, must be registered with the Holy Office and shall be dealt with on a case by case basis.

 

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Dramatis Personae​

 

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History

 

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Bulls, Encyclicals, Honors

 

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Lands, Armies, Navies, Secular Agreements

 

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Et cetera

 

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Coronation

You may commence posting.

 

[Blinky]

Arriving in little more than a sackcloth, a peasant asks to be given audience with the new pope. Bearing a yellowing letter from Pope Innocent from nearly three years previous, he asks to be admitted as to complete a holy pilgrimage.

 

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Cardinal Telemond, fresh from resting after the past week's activities, once again seeks audience with His Holiness.

 

[Fireblade]

Three men appear before the Pope. One of them, dressed in the clothes of a rich and powerful English noble, and the other two, obviously Italian Cardinals. In succession, the three of them kiss the Pope's feet, and rise. When the noble rises, he begins to speak.

"Your Most Holiness, I, Duke of Campania and Earl of Yarbrough, Henry, do congratulate you, as do my esteemed friends, His Eminence Cardinal-Archbishop of Benevento, Parentucelli and His Eminence Cardinal-Archbishop of Napoli, Moretti, on your election as Pontifex Maximus and Vicar of Christ on the Earth. We also bring greetings and congratulations from the King of Naples, René of Anjou. We hope that you shall reign wisely and justly for many, many years.

Your Most Holiness, something shocking has happened in Apulia. The nobles of Apulia, wicked knaves all of them, have risen in revolt against the rightful authority of the King of Naples, and have declared their intention to overthrow and murder my lord. The situation is even more shocking, for the nobility are fighting against the rightful authority of the Church! As you know, a former Pope did crown René to be King of Naples. The knaves seem to take offense at this fact, and are descecrating Churches in the Apulia.

Your Holiness, the position of the Church and King René is most precarious. The armies still loyal to King René are mobilizing, however, their morale is low, and the knaves outnumber us three to one. We ask, Your Holiness, that you aid us in putting down this revolt. With the armies that you can bring to bear in Apulia, the rebellion would be crushed, and the rightful authority of the Church will be restored.

My King does notice that several Churches in Rome are in need of repairs, Your Holiness. Perhaps, in exchange for your aid in putting down this revolt, King René would personally pay for the repairs on each and every single one of these cathedrals? And even that, if it is not deemed sufficent repayment by Your Holiness, can be augmented by the Kingdom of Naples helping the Church elsewhere."

 

[Longinus]

He arrived in the audience chamber following the protocols very closely. After approaching the throne of Saint Peter he kneeled humbly kissed his feet and ring. Then he raised his head and said with humility.


”Your Holiness,

I am father Klaus-Dieter Kreplinberger, secretary to His Majesty Joachim of the Greif, most humble servant of the Holy Mother Church and the Holy Roman Empire.

On the occasion of Your ascension onto the throne of Saint Peter we bring many gifts for Your Holiness and the Papal Curia. With that we also bring an open preachment from His Majesty Joachim the Greif, may he rule in peace and glory. Thus here I present the massive from the Empire.”

After saying that he enrolls a large and decorated preachment, the he starts to read.

“Your Holiness, Nicholas V, Papa Universalis, Summus Pontifex, Pontifex Maximus, Servus Servorum Dei, Patriarch of the West, Primate of Italy, Metropolitan of the Roman Province, and Bishop of Rome,

We, the most humble servant of the Holy Mother Church, are overjoyed with Your elevation onto the Throne of Saint Peter for the Holy Mother Church and Empire need a strong spiritual leader who will bring us into greatness. Thus we congratulate Your Holiness and wish long and prosperous reign in the Holy See, we also pray that under your caring hand Catholic flock will live in peace and continuous prosperity. Once a Prince of ours and close advisor now the leader of Christian world touched by the hand of God.

With our words come the gifts for Your Holiness and rest of the Bishopric of Rome. My servants bring ten carts, each of them towed by six young and strong oxes, all are filled with most valuable herbs, dyes, myrrh, spices, incenses etcetera gathered by Genoan merchants in order to repent their former sins against God.

We also wish to present a Holy Relic, the fingernail of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was brought in 1134 from the Holy Land by Landgraf Helmut von Dunkelberg and kept in the Stettin’s cathedral of Saint Jakob till present days.

With these words and gifts we again pray to Almighty God for the greater glory of Church and the Empire.

We also wish to announce that after so many years we are ready to be crowned from Your hands in order to highlight the importance of the union between the Church and the Empire. We thus leave all details concerning the exact date and circumstances to the Papal Curia and Our secretary, father Kreplinberger and his aides. We pray to come to Rome, pay our respect to Your Holiness and be crowned from Your Blessed hands as we wish to obey the old customs and laws for we keep them in the highest possible regard.

Concerning the glory of Church we pray that Ganoan and Hussite heresy will be finally rooted out. We ask if we should continue with our efforts of bringing back Jerusalem and other Christain lands under the wing of the Church. We also like to know if the question of reunion between the Roman Church and misguided schismatics of the East was not yet abandoned for nothing more would please us then the Church stronger then ever. We are ready to serve with our skills, resources and help should Your Holiness would ever need them

In the end we ask what of the Mongol and Turkomen insolence? What of their advances in the East and breaking the Bulle called Eastern?

Now we wish to bring the following issues as we are worried by them greatly. First is of course the recent elevation of certain Erich von Wittelsbach to the position of Cardinal-Archbishop of Mainz. While we under no condition wish to question his appointment as the Prince of the Church we are weary however to accept him as the Prince-Elector of the Empire and invest him with all powers coming from this office. Many of our Princes alredy expressed their concern that the Pope of Wittelsbcaher blood appointed a member of his family to the Archbishopric of Mainz. Rome and Nurnberg should cooperate closely but dictum of any side would not be looked kindly upon. That is why we propose the following, Your Holiness will support and influence the motion of transferring the seat of Trier to Stettin and we shall invest Erich von Wittelsbach with his temporal powers, or Your Holiness will appoint the Prince who will be suggested by the Imperial Authority and Imperial Princes.

Secondly there is the close cooperation of Burgundy with the Turkomen regarding the reap of Genoan lands. This troubles us greatly for it is not the first time where Burgundy or rather Lotharingia acts against the will of Empire and Church. We alone have of course the power to deal with Lotharingia but we respect Your Holiness words and wish to hear them.

We pray that Your Holiness will find our inquires important,

In Christian spirit dictated in Nurnberg,

Joachim of the Greif, King of the Romans, King of Italy, King of Germany, Sword of Christ, Right Hand of the Church, Caesar Augustus, King of Sweden, Duke of Pommerania, Fürst of the House of the Greif. Duke of Poznan, Margrave of Danzig, Prince-Protector of Sweden, Overlord of Ingermanland, Kexholm, Memel and Gotland, Master of the Imperial Hunt, Master of the Knights of the Cross of the Red Star.”

 

[Fireblade]

Cardinal Parentucelli looks at the fingernail with interest. For something nearly a millenium and a half old, it looked fairly recent..

"Ah, my good man, if I may?"

The messenger passes the fingernail to Cardinal Parentucelli, who holds it up to the light, and closely examines it. After the messenger finishes,

"An intriguing relic indeed."

Parentucelli places it in a small box, and bows slightly to the Pope.

"Ah, your Holiness, if you will permit me, I shall take this.. most sacred relic to the collection. As you know, I am composing a scholarly work of all the relics for the Papal library, and this would prove invaluable to my research."

 

[Bagricula]

In the Lateran Palace​

Rainmund--No, Nicholas, he reminded himself--sits uncomfortably on the stiff-backed Petrine Throne. At his side a small golden table, delicately designed in imitation of Roman military equipment, holds a slowly growing pile of correspondence. He thinks about rereading the letter from Joachim, but decides not to for the moment, feeling how stiff his gold embroidered raiments rest on his arms. Will take a few days to get used to all this weight; I'll be a thin man. For some odd reason the many cardinals who lived and managed the Church from Rome had become convinced that unless it was dyed with saffron, woven of silk, or spun from gold, it could not touch His Holiness's skin. Nicholas had begun to suspect that his many predecessors had really gotten sick and died from the constant stress of carrying all that extra weight. I suppose it helps remind the bearer of the Cross of Our Lord.

Prospero Vivarelli, former inquisitor and newly appointed head of the Roman Congregation, smiles as he sees his patron the Pontiff shifting his hand towards the letter from Nurnberg and moves to retrieve it for His Holiness. Wearing white silk with only the lightest of gold filigree, Cardinal Vivarelli moves with cat-like grace. The Pope frowns, but then smiles as the letter is handed to him.

"Grazie, Prospero," Nicholas murmurs taking the large parchement sheet. Jo still has the confidence of his youth. He reads through the section on the appointment of his nephew Erich. Foolhardiness, sterner men would call it. The Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church smiles, and hands the letter back to his secretary. I, though, am not newborn when it comes to the Imperium.

"After the audiences, Prospero, prego come to my study for dictation. My son, Joachim, sends us many words, spaced like a king's proclamation. I must send him gentler words, I think."

The Papal Secretary bows taking the letter, not letting any reaction to his master's musings cross his face. He steps aside as His Holiness gestures for the delegations to come forward one by one. Nicholas listens intently to the petition of the Duke of Campania, neither nodding or by other signs showing his intentions in regards to it. With the slightest glance, he calls Prospero to him. They exchange a few words, before Cardinal Vivarelli straightens and descends the red cloth steps of the Petrine Dais approaching the Neapolitan delegation. The Cardinal speaks softly to them:

"His Holiness expresses his sympathy for King Rene's plight and would speak with you more on this matter later. He sends his blessings onto the Angevins and his thanks for your well-wishes. "

The former inquisitor's face contorts into a cat-like smile, before he speaks separately to Cardinal Parentucelli, "You may of course take King Joachim's gift to the Collection. I look forward to the fruits of your labor."

Then in a louder voice, echoing in the great marbled hall filled with frescoes, murals, statues, and paintings all dwarfing the Petrine Throne and at the same time adding to its magnificence, Prospero Vivarelli summons the next petitioner:

"Sanctissimus Nicholas V, Papa Universalis, Summus Pontifex, Pontifex Maximus, Servus Servorum Dei, Patriarch of the West, Primate of Italy, Metropolitan of the Roman Province, and Bishop of Rome will hear the petition of his son, Illustrissimus Telemond, Cardinal-Bishop of the Roman Church, Metropolitan of the Bavarian Province, and Archbishop of Munich."

As the elaborate and necessary rituals are concluded, Nicholas leans forward and speaks gently to Cardinal Telemond:

"What ails you, meus filius?"

 

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Looking at the grand visage of his chosen Pope properly invested in his place on the Petrine throne, Telemond feels quietly awed and instilled once more with hope in Mother Rome and her duty as a moral light to a world gone dim. After going through the pomp and rituals pervading His Holiness' presence, the Cardinal smiles at Nicholas' casual opening statement.

"Your Holiness, I came to Rome in the first place to seek a boon from the now-deceased Innocent, may he rest in God's grace through eternity. The chance to participate in your own glorious and God-guided election was merely an opportunity the Lord saw fit to throw my way.

His Grace the Duke of Bavaria came to me in great distress, for I have been his confessor since his grave illness of but a few years, requesting my aid in a task to assuage his scarred spirit. He is, as we speak, undergoing the training involved in ascending to the Holy Orders of the priesthood. Though you two have been recently rifted from one another by unfortunate events, Albrecht humbly requests as a faithful Catholic ruler that he receive this sacrament from your most Holy hands."

 

[BusterBunny]

A letter arrives from Dijon. It reads:

"Unto His Holiness, Nicholas V, Papa Universalis, Summus Pontifex, Pontifex Maximus, Servus Servorum Dei, Patriarch of the West, Primate of Italy, Metropolitan of the Roman Province, and Bishop of Rome

Your Holiness,

Allow me to congratulate Your Holiness to your nomination in Rome. I was worried that the troubles that had befallen our familly would darken your chances to access the Throne of St-Peter, but your rising to Papacy gave me confidence in the sanctity of the Holy Church.

I have looked to you for guidance before, Your Holiness, and I ask you for guidance again. The recent events have been difficult, and I need to renew my faith in God, and to ask for forgiveness. Would Your Holiness allow me to come to Rome, with my familly, I would be forever gratefull. I am due to depart for Torrino, and would thus be able to visit Rome within a few months.

Awaiting your answer, sincerely yours in God,
Frederick von Wittelsbach."

 

[Bagricula]

Nicholas straightens and frowns resting his back against the tall white Throne of St. Peter. Ilse's husband wants to join the cloth. He stares out over the vast and expansive hall filled with priests, cardinals, bishops, monks, nuns, princes, and peasants. The combined whispers and murmurs of every mouth in that throng create a white background noise in the marbled arched hall. Happily, a boys choir accompanied by musicians playing trumpets and other brass instruments provided a musical respite from the otherwise cacaphonous din. With a slight gesture, Prospero is at the Pontiff's side. Nicholas whispers faint instructions and the Papal Secretary walks calmly but swiftly away ducking behind the massive dais. The Pope leans forward again, his hands resting on the ivory arms of the Petrine Throne, as he smiles beatifically:

"Meus filius, you bring strange and happy news. I knew Albrecht was a man of faith, but I had no notion that he dreamed to be a man of the cloth," Nicholas pauses and then continues looking out over the assembled petitioners most of them praying before the numerous small shrines and statues scattered throughout the opulent hall, "He is a Duke though, and thus he has duties beyond that of a normal man. Bring him to me, Telemond. I would not conferr on him the grave duty of the pastorate without examining his conscience and resolve."

Prospero Vivarelli arrives as Pope Nicholas speaks, carrying a sheet of parchement upon which a summons has been written. "Ah, thank you, Prospero." The Pope takes the paper in his deft clavierist hands. He smiles and continues speaking to Cardinal Telemond:

"If I remember, Albrecht has a son--Ulrich? Bring him and my dear cousin Ilse too, for I would not foist the government of a mighty duchy upon unprepared shoulders." The Supreme Pontiff affixes his seal to the parchement in red wax and writes out his signature in a neat precise hand, lacking flourish or decoration. He hands the summons to Cardinal Telemond.

"By this seal, I have commanded the presence of Albrecht von Wittelsbach. Any righteous and learned man will affirm this summons, and not even mighty King Joachim can counter its force." The Pope appears sad, if for a moment, before smiling softly on Telemond, "Don't let Albrecht think his hopes are dashed. If he passes my examination, he will have his ordination and a proper benefice fitting his breeding and zeal." He straightens, glancing once to Cardinal Vivarelli:

"Does anything else rest uneasily on your mind, meus filius?"

 

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Telemond takes the document, carressing the newly-impressed seal, and then looks back up at the Vicar of Christ. Home. I can finally go home with an easy conscience and with news that may soothe Albrecht's troubled mind. All hope is not lost...

"No, your Holiness. I shall return to Munich with a glad heart, knowing that the soul of Christendom comes alive once more to bring renewal in a body grown far too cold. I have great faith that Albrecht shall come to your court as soon as summons reach his hand."

 

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The Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church raises his hand, his fingers extended in benediction, as he forms the Sign of the Cross over Cardinal Telemond's brow, intoning in Latin:

"Tibi animus Sancti Spiritui mitteateris. Pax Dei tecum, meus filius, pax tecum." He adds softly in his native German, "Gott ist mit du."

With Roman priests on either side of him, Cardinal Telemond is escorted out off the Petrine dais and out of the way of the horde of petitioners. Prospero approaches the Pope after Telemond leaves, carrying a letter with the seal of Frederick von Wittelsbach. After His Holiness reads it, he sets it on the table and speaks softly with his secretary. Cardinal Prospero Vivarelli neatly steps forward in the departing Bavarian's wake and announces in a clear ringing voice:

"Sanctissimus Niccolo, Vicar of Christ and Servant of the Servants of God, Bishop of Rome, will now hear the petitions of those pilgrims bearing writs of admittance."

There is a surge in the crowd, as those lucky pilgrims try to make their way to the front. The Swiss guardsmen on duty glance at each other, not certain that they are prepared to spill blood on holy ground, but also knowing the dangers of a riot. Luckily, order is found as Cardinals in Prospero's employ move swiftly through the throng extracting those pilgrims with authentic writs and bringing them to the fore. With gentle eyes, Nicholas spots the peasant in the sackcloth, the perfect symbol of impoverished piety, and beckons him forward with a small gesture to Prospero. Cardinal Vivarelli approaches the man and speaks to him with a generous smile:

"You are lucky today, first of the pilgrims to be granted an audience."

 

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"His Pontifical Majesty, Vicar of Christ, Successor, Bishop of Rome, Nicholas V;

It has been suggested that war between Catholics without the expressed permission of the Pope is disfavored upon.

Although I may come from Eastern Roman stock, which is typically Orthodox, I spit on the names of my schismatic brethren.

I am a good Catholic, and as a good Catholic, I ask of you, Holy Father, to approve of a conflict with Aragon and Naples, should it come to that.

I am taking every possible opportunity to avoid such a conflict, but the Neapolitans are refusing to approach negotiation.

The treaty the Neapolitan king cites as the reason for his breaking of vassalage states that he must aid Aragon while we are at war. He has done no such thing. That treaty states that he must swear before God to uphold that treaty, which he has broken.

He has broken his word before God.

He claims that I am his political equal, although I am an Emperor crowned by a previous Pope.

If he thinks the words of Popes are irrelevant and mocks God by ignoring an oath he took, then he is no better than a Heretic, is he not?

May your life be long, and may you restore a sense of dignity to the office of Pontifex Maximus.

I pray that I am in the right, and that you may approve of my position.

Signed,

Emperor Constantine XI of the House of Achaea
Caesar of Eastern Rome, King of Aragon, Sicily, Jerusalem, etc."​

 

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Cardinal Banastre makes his way to the Lateran eagerly. It has been a long journey from England, but it will be worth it. It's been far too long since the Cardinal has reported to Rome and presented himself before the See. As Archbishop of Canturbury, should he put off his visit much longer, he should become conspicuous by his absence.

It is a crisp, early springtime day and the road to the Papal Palace is cold and hard. The Cardinal has chosen to make his way on foot, with a small personal guard of his own soldiers from England. At the Lateran, Banastre leaves his retinue before the impressive, almost daunting, romanesque entrance, and quietly, but sternly, warns against making a nuisance of themselves until his return. He shows his credentials to the guards at the great doors and makes his way inside.

The Cardinal is overawed by the clamour and sense of urgency inside the Pope's court. Banastre had expected an ordered, calm chamber - but this scene is more like something from the marketplace! His Holiness - a tiny figure at the other end of the room - is clearly trying to do all he can to address all His petitioners, and so Cardinal Banastre waits patiently, chatting with other churchmen (the odd familiar face, here and there), praying at the various exquisite relics decorating the magnificent hall, and guiltily hoping his red robes will earn him sooner audience with His Holiness.

When it is finally Banastre's turn to approach the throne, he does so with a feeling of awe and humility. Suddenly, he is ten years old again, uncertainly approaching a stern uncle. Banastre kneels at His Holiness' feet and tenderly kisses the ring on Nicholas' hand.

"Your Holiness... we have not met. I dearly regret that I was not able to attend the elections which rightfully placed you upon the throne of St. Peter. My name is Alan Banastre. By the grace of your predecessors, I am Cardinal Archbishop of Canturbury and Primate of the Diocese of Britannia.

"I cannot apologise enough for my absence from the Lateran these years hence. Please forgive me.

"I have with me a letter from His Majesty, the King of England. Is this a good time to present it to Your Holiness?"