ARCHIVE - Court of His Holiness in Rome

[unmerged(23493)]

Pontiff's Official Reception, Rome


A messanger, long delayed by storms upon the western sea finally arrives. After speaking for long hours that stretch to days with appropriate officals something of a treaty draft is eventually worked out. Days before the signing however he presents his host with the following letter from Aragon,

"Unto the Holiest of Holies, Father of the Church, Successor of Blessed St. Peter,

I happily accept the terms to abdicate the throne myself, to see Rene lose his as was my purpose and to grant the crown of Sicily to Basil. These were all things that I sought. I write this only on entreaty of my son, that until his age of majority I may guide his rule upon my own abdication to him.

I have always been a good christian woman, I support my husband as a loyal wife always does no matter how much I may have disagreed with his positions at certain times in the past. I conducted the war against the infidel in face of threat of life to both myself and my son to the point where the Kingdom simply would have fallen apart had it not ended. Most importantly the groundwork for peace in the Western Meditteranean, finished with the abdication of Rene and the freedom of Sicily, has been lain. All I ask is that my son becomes King in due course.

Faithfully and Truly Yours,
Blanca de Trastamara-Aragon

 

[I Killed Kenny]

The waters of the Mediterranian sea still did not calm much since Montais get back to Lisbon. The enemy was the same, the Moors, but the Allies changed, now they were not the Aragoneses, but the Castillians. But they were more peacefull that was for sure, after the great defeat of the both fleets in the sea of the Baleares. When the cardinal's ship passed by those islands, even if they were far enough from the beachs, many pieaces of Wood and pieces of bodies where flooting. A sad thing to see. Montais prayed every time he saw a cristian body and cursed everybody a muslem one was seen. After that 'war-zone' they trip was once peacefull, even if the clouds where some, the sea was calm.​

When finally the Archbishop disembacked in the eternal city, he thought to himself 'It is good to be home again'. It was true, Rome was more of a Home that Lisbon could ever be. This beautifull city was his home, the court of the pontiff was 'his' court. When he entered the court of his holiness he greet everyone, but went directlly to a secretary of the holy father. "Please infrom" said Montais to the secretary "His holiness that cardinal Montais would like to speak with him as soon as possible." He then saw the man leaving. Montais then seated waiting for some kind of reply.

 

[I Killed Kenny]

Montais looks to the sun as he starts to settle, for how long would he wait?​

 

[BusterBunny]

A letter arrives from the Abbot of Cluny. It reads:

"Unto his Holiness Nicholas P.P. V,

It is with joy and interest that we have received Your Holiness missive in these days of great turmoil in the Kingdom of Lothar. These lands of riches, filled with pious men, is indeed in desperate need for guidance.

As Abbot of Cluny, I visit frequently our houses everywhere around Gaulia and Germania, and news come by our congregations of what is happening in these lands. We have analysed these information in our last meeting in Cluny, where the priors of each house exposed the news they had. This allowed us to shape the current situation around these points...

- Louis, first of the name, King of Lotharingia, Count of Montpensier, is dead. How he died remains a mystery. Accounts talk of Charles of Nevers, Count of Nivernais, killing the king by his own hand. But others tell of a revolt in Dijon, regarding the reappereance of Philippe du Berry, son of the late Queen of Lotharingia, Marie. This revolt, pushing for the coronation of the rightfull king, technically speaking, would have killed what they perceived as the false king.

- Anna di Savoia, the duchesse of Piemonte, also known as the queen of Lotharingia, has been seen with her children in many places around Dijon, up to the Loire region even. She has not seeked asylum in any churches that we know of, and our houses were open to her, obviously.

- The ecclesiastic representatives of the Directoire left what was becoming a political debate between King Louis and the other members of the Directoire. Asylum was offered, as even in sin, forgiveness is given.

-From Geneva, lords are planning some sort of stalemate situation that would prevent Philippe du Berry, self crowned king of Lotharingia by divine rights, from progressing into capturing the Free Cities of the Empire.

The Archbishop of Metz visited us recently, and he has mentionned to me that the people of the cities and even the peasants in the fields are being asked to pray for order to remain. The cold that has set upon Lotharingia is beginning to worry some souls, and we only hope that we are not being punished for our sins.

Sincerely yours, in God,
Abbot Pierre de Cluny"

 

[Elias Tarfarius]

An unmarked scribbed letter on stained parchement arrives at the Curia...

My Dear Cousin,

I am made exceeding glad by the news I have heard tell of on my way to Rome. People tell me that you have called for a new crusade to protect Hispania from the Infidel. This is good and a first step, but a first step only. Cousin, be like unto the Great Pope, Urban. Now, the nobles of Europe to slay and conspire one another. Make your only Clairmont and tell them to fight the Infidel in the heart of his lands, Egypt. Now that I am free of my forced captivity, I offer the Church my sword in leading this Crusade. All I shall need will be enough ships to carry 30,000 men. With that, we can take and hold Alexandria. The capture of that city only will finance the rest of the fighting. It is the riches of the heathen that are our enemies and that shall bring forth knights from their sinful works now in this continent. Declare this war offensive and give me the means, that is all I ask, cousin. I care not right now to reclaim my throne or other transitory things. I care not even to see my wife (traitor though she is) and son. I am bound to do the Lord's work; that is why I am alive today, no? I shall be in Rome soon and from there will write a letter to the crowns of Europe telling them of my plan. Until we meet again,

God go with you, Cousin,
Albrecht von Wittelsbach, servant of God

 

[Bagricula]

When Nicholas raised his eyebrow it was said all of Rome trembled, but now that the Pope has been on an extended visit to Germania the indifferent evils of all bureacracy have begun to choke the Curial Dicasteries. The arrival of Cardinal Bembo stirred them all out of their lethargy with news of that the war against Algiers would soon be heating up. Then when his arrival was quickly followed by direct orders from the Holy Father, suddenly things were moving.

Nonetheless, it was a long time before someone addressed Cardinal Montais's request. Wrapped in scarlet robes, like some upside down bloody carnation, Cardinal Guiseppe Orsini approaches the Portugese Cardinal, bowing slightly and speaking.

"Illustrissimo, I am sorry you had to wait so long. Time now though cannot be wasted. I am Cardinal Guiseppe Orsini of the Sixth Congregation, the dicastery entrusted with the maintence of the fleet and defense of the States of the Church. If you would walk with me, the Sixth Congregation will be meeting soon, and your insights would be very valuable."

As they walk, Cardinal Orisini inquires as to the nature of Cardinal Montais's visit.

 

[AugCaesar]

A letter arrives from Valladolid for the Pontiff.



Nicholas V, Vicar of Christ,

I write from my court in Valladolid blessed that you deign still to give your support unto me, and so staunchly stand for the defense of the Faith. I write as a man besieged on many sides, and weary of war, but concerted to fight it until the threat to God has been erased. Matters have slightly improved in Andalusia where the citadel of Sevilla is again conquered by my brother where he now prepares, with my Portuguese allies to move against further strongholds of the moorish rebels. Certainly you are aware that the greatest threat lies in the amassing forces of the Zayyanids and their lap dogs which seem to grow by the day through the Sultan's treachery. I ask that you call upon what assistance you can from the great states of Europe to aid me in repelling this invasion and in forever humbling the moors. It is because of Constantine, the thankfully deceased schismatic usurper of Aragon, that this war still drags on, as he left his country so bedraggled by conflict that I was obliged to come to the aid of my his righteous successor. Now the throne of that land stands in contention and I am left to fight the enemy. Truly my cause would be bolstered by assistance from the good christian nations of Europe, and as well in a proclamation of my rightful claim to the throne of Aragon, left vacant by one line of family. It is only just that the other line should be restored to that thrown in my person to act as its overlord, and guide a regent upon its throne. I think that we have much to discuss and to plan for this terrible conflict I am always embroiled in and hope to receive word from you soon.

Humbly, Your Servant,

Enrique IV de Trastamara, Rey de Castile y Leon

 

[Elias Tarfarius]

The Crusader - When in Rome...

Romans were given the treat of seeing a spectical this sunny day. Into the city came a man dressed in sackcloth robes and a fine sword at his side riding on an old grey nag. Before him ran two beggar which the man appearently hired as his herald. They cried, "Make way, make way! Make way for Albrecht of Bayern, Crusader of Crusaders and servant of the Holy Father! Make way!" The poorer people who saw the sight bowed and cheered while the rich took it as a joke and laughed and mocked the "crusader of crusaders." Albrecht paid them no mind, but continued on to the Papal residence where he expected to meet with his cousin and planned to discuss an offensive crusade against the infidels.

At the Curia, the old Duke dismounted and paced in with no regard to the clerks and priests whirling about him.

Where is the Holy Father? I must speak to him! If he is not here, who can I talk to? Let me talk to someone, for God's sake!

Albrecht cursed his cousin for not being in Rome when he arrived. The fate of Christian Hispania and the Holy Land was in his hand... he could be the new Urban II, but instead he was in Bohemia or somewhere else. No matter, the work of God would continue.

 

[I Killed Kenny]

As they walk, Cardinal Orisini inquires as to the nature of Cardinal Montais's visit.

Montais way quite happy to be hable to speak with someone once again. He walked with the other cardinal and speaks​

"Well, I have two reasons to be here. The first is to speak with the pope was soon as possible, as my King ordered me. The other is to continue my mission here in the Curia." said Montais walking when he was near the door he finnished "Can you tell me where the holy pontiff is? I was ordered to see him, even if that means gooing somewhere else than Rome."

 

[Bagricula]

Cardinal Orsini nods, and purses his lips as he converses with Cardinal Montais, glancing surreptitiously around the shining polished marble halls.

"The King of Bohemia is entertaining His Holiness in Prague, at the moment. I have received orders from the Holy Father to convey you with the Sixth Congregation to Prague to discuss preparations for the defense of Christendom." Cardinal Orsini's face droops, "I am sorry your visit is darkened by the cruel bitterness of war, but the heathen hordes have grown impetuous by our gentle compassionate hand."

 

[I Killed Kenny]

Montais speaks​

"So be it, let us discuss what we have to discuss. The heathens in a issue we in Portugal take very seriouselly as the Cardinal probably already know!" Montais now waits for the meeting.

 

[Mettermrck]

Louis could tell that the Duke had little of religious import on his mind by sending someone to Rome with only a bare minimum theological education. While great kingdoms typically sent Cardinals and Bishops, Macedonia sent a student with three years education in the university in Athens. He could quote scripture, discuss the basics of St. Augustine and other learned saints, yet he could not help wonder at the workings of Duke Paolo's mind in sending him here. Amongst the splendour, the history of the Catholic Church, he was essentially a young merchant, though his expensive clothes spoke of his status as son of one of the wealthiest landowners in the Balkans, and of his French origins. Despite having only seen France in his youth, he still carried the inflections of his Angevin accent, which telled significantly when he introduced himself and sought audience with the Pope. "Greetings, I am Seigneur Louis de Brignais, from Macedonia. I seek audience with His Holiness." Good, he thought. Now we attend to business.

 

[Bagricula]

Winding their way through the labyrinthian corridors that tunnel through the massive complex that sits atop the Vatican Hill, Orsini leads Montais into a pleasant white room where a large committee of Cardinals are standing talking without rhyme or reason, their meeting having not started. Orsini moves towards the head of the table, and as he passes his juniors in the Collegium Cardinales they quiet and begin to take their seats. Montais is directed to a chair beside Orsini, who sits at the head of the table. He knocks the polished wood veneer once, summoning the rapt attention of the Sixth Congregation.

"As you know, gentleman, we have little time. The Holy Father is counting on our expertise to not only defend La Stato della Chiesa but all of European Christendom. I have received communications from His Holiness and from Cardinal Bembo concerning the Algierian situation, and as per their instructions have found Cardinal Montais of Portugal to help us in our task. We may commence with a prayer to Our Lady of Prompt Succor. Cardinal Montais if you please."

Everyone stands and Cardinal Montais leads the prayer, invoking the aid of Mary the Mother of God in the deliberations to follow. Once divine sanction has been called on the meeting commence in earnest. One cardinal asks quickly, before everyone has taken their seats even, "Illustrissimo, do you believe that the Crown of Portugal will support the Church's endeavor to break Algierian domination of the Western Mediterranean and thus its reign of terror on the Mediterranean God-fearing lands?"

~*^*~​

A pleasant looking middle-aged nun with dark sun-tanned skin and wrinkles from many years of smiling. Her hair is completely obscured by her great habit, and she looks quizzically at the Macedonian envoy, smiling as if her face had been frozen at a time of inexplicable joy, "Oh, poor Signore, Providence has given you a heavier task, my little one. The Holy Father resides now in Prague where he tours the lands of the Czechs reconquered for the Church from Satan's vile grip. Oh, he is a good man. A truly universal pastor."

Louis gets the inexplicable feeling that the nun would love to give him freshly baked cookies and chilled milk while prattling on about what a clever boy he was. Luckily, the feeling passes like so many strange wrinkles in the fabric of space and time.

 

[I Killed Kenny]

Montais is suprised that he barelly had time to rest after the prays but he in the calmlly way he is known he speaks​

"My brother" starts Montais who then stands up to speak, looking to cardinal who asked him the question "I would like to say that the King of Portugal is already dooing so. He is the only King in all Christianhood who is fighting the moorish rebels of Castille. And I can also say that we have a prove of God that he is by ourside, because we had minimum loses there against the Moors. I believe that we did not lose even an hundred man, even with our small, holy army!" He rests for a moment and the continues "Now asking for Portugal to pass the Gates of Hercules and fighting in Africa, that is a totatly diferent situation, because even if having the best navy in the world, it is still small and we can not fully defend all the Coast of Portugal, even if one ships of ours can defeat two of the heaths if three of them happear we will lose. We are out-numbered! And Invading Africa right now would be impossible, because Portugal have a small army an army that is allready fighting in Iberia. And as it is proved, if we do not fight in Iberia Castille will not win against her rebels" He looks in the audience for a Castillian Cardinal to see if he does any commentary, but still he continues "When all rebels in Castille are dealt with, King João might turn his canons to Africa but right now it is impossible! Alone, Portugal can not do that." he takes a big breath and continues "We need the help of everyone in the christian world! Portugal Castille and the Lands of the Holy pontiff can not alone fight against the all Muslim army! We need help. Now! We can not wait for that help, we should ask for it! I am sure that the Lords of the Christian world do not want to be named Heretics for not hearing the call of teh Holy Father! A Cruzade must be called" he looks to all of the audience, whispers and mumering started as he finnished.

 

[Mettermrck]

Louis looked uncomfortably at the nun, deciding out of politeness not to correct her view of him as some sort of child. The better to make an impression he supposed. He felt awkward enough having missed the Pope, who apparently decided to reside in Prague these days. "Uh, right. Sooo...when can I expect His Holiness' return?"

 

[AugCaesar]

As he makes eye contact with Portuegese Montais, Cardinal Penafiel, long silent in Rome due to ill health picks his meagre old body up out of his chair. He speaks deliberately and loudly so that all may hear and understand him.

"The good Cardinal Montais is right," Francisco, cleared his throat then continued, "The Rebellion must first be destroyed, and it is due to the help of the Portuguese that the armies of Castille have wrested back Seville, and now the rebel capitals near Gibraltar. But with our last victory the rebel head has been cut, and also the King's armies have regained their morale, despite heavy casualties, and fortified by cannon from Sevilla are at their best in some time. The rebellion could be over in the next 3 months, with aggressive action. I am confident that with the aid of other Christian Kings the dream of invading Africa could become a reality." The old Cardinal, paused and looked about the room allowing his words to sink in, then continued.

"The economy of Castille is strained, and its people tired, but the nobility and His Majesty Enrique are determined to take back the lands one by the infidel from the treacherous Constantine, ex of Aragon. We ask only that Rome do all that it can to find aid for the good kings of Iberia to continue this fight and carry it to its righteous end."

The old man sat once again slowly, demuring to Cardinal Montais.

 

[unmerged(2461)]

- EVENT -

Naples Questions its Vassalage

​

Many years have passed since kingdom of Naples sought protection from the Holy See in exchange for temporal vassalage. The King of Naples kept his word well, sending the required tribute with each passing season. However, the promised three years of servitude to the Holy See has passed, and the King is finding it increasingly hard to justify the vassalage to his nobles. The King meets with his Lords and discusses how Naples should act in regards its vassalage.

MODIFIERS:
Triggered on validated player recommendation.
Trigger is long-since expired clause of this treaty.

TABLE:

1. With his angry nobles behind him, the Neapolitan King scornfully snubs the overlordship of the Papal States. Attitudes sour noticably.
(-2 morale to The Papal States for 1 year/4 turns; Naples severs vassalage to The Papal States).

2. With his disgruntled nobles egging him on, the Neapolitan King throws off the yoke of Papal overlordship in no uncertain terms. Attitudes take a turn for the chilly.
(-1 morale to The Papal States for 1 year/4 turns; Naples severs vassalage to The Papal States).

3. A closely argued ballot reveals that the nobles are in favour of throwing off the Papal yoke. Showing an admirable degree of courtesy, the Neapolitan King respectfully informs the Holy See that he shall no longer be observing the duties of vassalage.
(Naples severs vassalage to The Papal States).

4~5. A closely argued ballot reveals that the nobles are in favour of the patronage of the Holy See. The monies paid to the Pope are a small price to pay for the protection of the very heart and soul of Christianity itself.
(no effect)

6. A near unanimous ballot determines that the nobles utterly reject the idea of severing ties with the Holy See, and never mind the trifling cost of vassalage. Every coin that goes into the Papal coffers is money well spent. The nobles positively revere their status as the Church’s golden boy.
(+1 morale to The Papal States for 1 year/4 turns)

ROLL: 1

RESULT: With his angry nobles behind him, the Neapolitan King scornfully snubs the overlordship of the Papal States. Attitudes sour noticably.
(-2 morale to The Papal States for 1 year/4 turns; Naples severs vassalage to The Papal States).

 

[Elias Tarfarius]

The Crusader - When in Rome...

Despite having been intentionally ignored for weeks by Church officials, Albrecht of Bavaria remained in Rome. From the charity of a nobleman, he had attained better clothes and a new horse instead of his broken down nag. He had also been shaved, which quickly made him more recognizible to the members of the Papal court, for better or worse. Some remembered Albrecht as a saintly prince who had had the misfortune of living in a very unsaintly time while others only saw a lunatic duke who had tried to kill himself in front of his cousin, the Pope. Now, the Crusader had returned to Rome and daily wandered the Papal palace looking for anyone of rank that would speak to him. He finally, by chance, ran by the room wherein the Cardinals were meeting. Being determine of to accomplish his mission from God as he was, Albrecht saw no other option than to burst in... and so he did.

Dear brothers in Christ! By the Blessed Virgin, I am glad to have found you all here. I have had a vision and have been thus commanded to come unto you, nobles of the Church, and ask for a new Crusade. But do not waste time fighting against the desert-men of Africa, no, sent our armies against the head of the serpent and the richest lands of the Musselman, Egypt!!! *his vocie echoes against the marble of the hall* For you who no me not, these are the words of Albrecht, formerly Duke of Bavaria and now humble servant of our Lord and Savior. I come not for myself but for all Chrisendom, to push back the Infidel in all quarters and, perhaps soon, retake Mother Jerusalem herself! All that would be needed would be 30,000 men and the ships for them. Egypt is full of riches and food, otherwise the Lord Christ shall provide for. I am sorry if I have interrupted or been impolite in anyway, but this is of the utmost import and seeing as the Pope has not seen fit to return yet from Prague, I had to tell this to someone in authority.

 

[I Killed Kenny]

Cardinal Montais lisens very carefully to what the castillian said, word by word, nodding many times and smiling, he was in agreed with everything. He stands up once again to speak and explain what he thought, when still with his mouth open ready to speak he is interrepted in suprise by the former duke of Bavaria. With his eyes wide open he lisens in suprise. He continues liseing standing up when the man finishs he decieds to act​

With a clam face that would start growing to anger in the way a father speaks to his son "So, faithfull servent of God, you shall call all of 'us' by Your excelencies the Cardinals. Not by 'you'. If you are a faithfull servent of God you should know this better than anyone! Second if you would like to speak with this college you should ask and not enter this room, because if you were not a former duke you could be now in jail!" He looks to the other cardinals waiting for some kind of approval for his words. But he continues without waiting for any word "And Albercht, former duke of Bavaria, we are here to discuss great matters of great importance. And the number of troops necessary for such assault can't be calculated so easily, what you are asking is to much. And Jerusalem can not be our mission right now! The egyptians have respected for long our brothers in Jerusalem and they did not attack any cristians. And I was informed that they just attacked Castille because I they were obligued and one who is oligued to fight will never fight as good as one who do it because he wants to!"
Cardinal Montais rests for some seconds before continuing "And our enemy is not Egypt but the Almohads, they attacked us, they are killing us in Iberia. We need to do something now! There are rumors of a great battle about to happen in Iberia. If we lose it, we will need your help more than ever. If we win it it's finally time to end the rebels and sail to Africa, to conquer it in the name of Allmight God!"

 

[Elias Tarfarius]

The Crusader - When in Rome...

Albrecht was shocked by the Iberian's response and did not know if he should be contrite or angered. What did red cloaked fool know when the Lord and the Blessed Virgin had themselves commanded Albrecht to raise up a crusade. They had not told him where, but he had always suppsed Egypt would be the best place to strike. Now, looking at the less than pleased faces of the Cardinals, the zealous Duke took another track.

*falls to his knees* Your excellencies, excuse my wild haste, but I am quite certain of my mission by certain promptings from above. While I myself would trust neither the words nor treaty with the Sarecen, I am sure your excellency knows those men of Egypt better than I. I cannot raise up 30,000 men and ships by myself and that is why I came to Rome. LOOK, nobles of the Church, I WILL GO WITHER THOU SHALL SEND ME! It matters not as long as it is in the righteous cause of the Lord against the Infidel. If it is to be against the desert people, let us strike them in the rear at Tunis or one of their other coastal capitals. They can all be taken by storm, I think. I am but a tool in your excellencies hands. *bows head*