- ARCHIVE - Court of His Holiness in Rome

[Txini]

Alfons de Borja receives urgent note from the King:

Your Holiness, King Alfons fearing for his nephew's health and knowing that his nephew is also Real King of France and as he received no answer from Ultimatum given to the Mad Regent to send Louis here so everyone can see he is ok, has decided to declare war on France, so we shall withdrawn our troops from Crusade.

 

[BusterBunny]

Cardinal Jean de Montpetit.

"To all of you Cardinals, and Your Holiness, I must advise you that the familly of Marie de Berri is in jeopardy.

As you may all know, Jean II le Bon had a large familly, but in order he had Charles V, King of France, Louis 1er d'Anjou, Jean du Berry, le Magnifique and Philippe le Hardi, of Burgundy. When the line of Philippe le Hardi died, Marie de Berry got the double responsability in this familly as the heir to Auvergne and the heir to Burgundy.

Today, our first line of the Valois familly, the line of Charles V, is in peril. The young King Louis was STRIPPED of his crown, and his uncle took it for himself.

The familly of Anjou, in Normandie, I hope, will react to this. As for the familly of Burgundy and Auvergne, de Berri, they will react with all the GOD GIVEN POWER, to allow the first line of Valois to continue to reign over France, whatever it may represent.

It is the DUTY of our nation, to declare war on France, and to re-establish its Crown, for the sake of the Valois familly.
"

 

[BusterBunny]

The young Bishop of Artois spoke:

"But clearly the Count of Artois is right, it could be considered as heretical behavior. Your nation is counting on you, Good Cardinal..."

Jean de Montpetit looked at the arrogant Bishop.

"ENOUGH! You have no respect for this institution that is the Holy Church and its Officium of Holy Inquisition. The Count of Artois can go to Hell if he thinks that he can manipulate me like this. There will be no heresy trial made for Charles of Orléans, until his Holiness HIMSELF asks me too."

The Bishop turned is back and walked away.

 

[unmerged(8915)]

Bishop Mathias of Kitzingen in Wurzburg:

"Your Holiness, maybe the fact that through parishes across Wurzburg masses and prayers are celebrated in the name of your health so that these earthly faults may soon leave your body so that you may attend to celestial matters with all your power, for these are times we need a guiding hand in religious matters, plagued by heretics and invading pagans. All praise be to the Lord for delivering victory onto our arms and defeating the Tatars beneath the city walls and canals of Venezia!"

 

[unmerged(3110)]

Cardinal Corleone was a happy man. It had taken him five years to find the perfect poison, but now he had.

Just a little each day and he could debilitate the Pontiff and take control. Thoughts of money and power brought him to the doors of the audience room. He was about to address the Room as the "Mouth of Jean-Luke, the Fisherman Pope" and he liked it.

There was a definite knack to getting in the right favour for power with people. He just had to make sure he was only seen behind the scenes and not to prominent for too long. That fool of a Pontiff had the unfortunate habit of changing his diet when he got ill. It saved him remembering to tell the assassin not to kill him yet but keep him low and kept him on his toes.

Heh, heh. He had even got the price down due to the constant failure to kill. If he got caught he only new he got his notes from an illiterate mute that worked in the stables. He often wondered where his idol Cardinal Odo was now days. He might even think Corleone was doing well. If only he knew.

As he walks in he views the petitioners with an air of officiousness, sits on the throne of St. Peter and reads the letter from Egypt. He slaps it with the back of his hand.

"These Egyptians.... They want to talk and deny facts that they made pledges when allowing Missionaries into their land directly after we took Judea the first time."

"Phwwwwwa..... Some hope. But I shall pass it on."

"Ohh... By the way gentlemen I will be the voice of our poorly Papa until he is able to rise. He has an ailment of the stomach and tends himself."

"We all know how good he is at healing. I'm sure he will be up and about in no time."

"Now. To business."

"Cardinal Raponi . I'm of the opinion that the Greeks have no claim on what is not theirs. Constantinople should go to the one true faith that CAN protect it. OURS."

"But.... The Pontifical Holy Father. God bless him. Has this ridiculous idea of, if not reuniting, certainly bringing together the two Christian faiths, under certain ....errr... Provisos."

"This would probably include him eventually returning Thrace to their dubious control, But it is pointless to discuss anything if we don't have the City."

"There is too much happening NOW, to worry about "What ifs" too"

The smell of Chicken broth assails his nostrils and his mouth begins to water.

"Cardinal Bouchier... Eminence I will ensure the broth gets to his Holiness directly. I will even take it personally." A wicked grin crosses his face.

"Ohhh... Yes. His Holiness would like to see two Cardinals as soon as he's well. Both Cardinal Horst and Cardinal Frontenac, please make your selves ready. And if they're not present. Send for them, if anyone cares for their souls"
"As for war on France. I will inform his Holiness."

Corleone nods to Cardinal Alfons de Borja

"I see no reason why you must stay in crusade with France acting so erratically. But I suppose I must ask his Holiness...."

"If Louis is harmed it would not go well for the Regent"

As Cardinal Jean de Montpetit speaks Corleone is seen to get angry.

"Stripped of his crown?! Possibly harmed? Breaking the Armistice?! What is all this?"

"Both you, and Bouchier know what the popes answer to this would be...."

"" speak to them before war my children"..... Et cetera, Et cetera"

"So eminence... Be sure of Louis plight, be very sure"

"You might want to send the Bishop of Artois to my quarters later. I wish to speak with him, by your leave"

He returns to thought and nods as Bishop Mathias of Kitzingen speaks. Mumbling "Quite, quite"

 

[BusterBunny]

As the Bishop of Artois takes the direction of Corleone's office, Cardinal Jean de Montpetit speaks up.

"Cardinal Corleone,

We have had a "fin de non recevoir" from the French court, as none of our letters asking for explanations were answered.

Who knows what happened to young King Louis, but one thing is for sure: Charles of Orléans crowned himself King of France. We had already put severe warnings forward, IN THIS COURT, about him not doing.

We have allowed France, and Cardinal Frontenac, to answer WHY the French Nobility and Cardinal Frontenac has allowed such a thing to happened. But even THEY can't answer... or won't answer.

So Cardinal Corleone. We have talked. We have talked since Charles of Orléans was put at the head of France. This man made ennemies with Bourbonnais and Savoie, and now made ennemies with us.

Only now, this insult to the Burgundian and Aragonese famillies, to the English authority and to the HOLY CHURCH ITSELF will not go unanswered.

Even now, the French are speechless within these walls. And that should not be so."

 

[unmerged(3110)]

Corleone replies to De montpetit

"Eminance, Eminance..... I agree."

"I was just making sure of your safety of action."

"Already, Burgundy and England have shown great restraint and generousity"

"The French Vassals are not such any longer and the sacrifice you both have made for peace and the church has not gone amiss"

"Is it, in fact, that the Regent is Ill, that he does not answer you and the church. Surely, madness must be tiring?"

 

[Auspend]

Father Ruprecht speaks with Corleone.

"Your Eminence, before he took ill, I informed his holiness that the Count of Wurtemberg was willing to offer a loan. He has yet to respond, and I was curious as to know wheter or not you knew if the offer would be accepted."

 

[BusterBunny]

"Monseigneur Corleone, obviously there is a problem somewhere. Is the regent ill? It might be so. Maybe the name "Charles" in French lands bear a certain... curse?

We will root out the evil that seems to affect the French lands. What will happen of France afterward is left in the air at the moment.

As for the French vassals, I am sure you will find an appropriate overlord for them, if you don't think France is ready yet. Or maybe just let them "fly on their own". After all, haven't they proved to be more mature than France itself?

I hope that we will end all of this in time to be of help if the Holy Crusade goes wrong. After all, it seems that most of our troops would rather push back the heathens in far away lands than protect their own in Western Europe.

May God bless Europe in these dark hours."

 

[unmerged(7849)]

The Genoan Cardinal stand once again and turns to the Holy Father.

"The Hedjaz has declared war on us, Holy Father.

Genoa will now join the crusade agains the muslims in the Hedjaz. And therefore I come before you to explain to you this idea. You have said that you will lead your troops south to crush the muslims there while the Empire hits the Horde.

Therefore the crusaders with us will now have a righ of passage through Genoan lands. Syria can now be a launching point for an attack.

The muslims in Hedjaz have breathed their last breath."

 

[unmerged(8915)]

The Bishop of Kitzingen speaks to Cardinal Corleone:

"Would your eminence please inform his Holiness that the Archbishop of Wurzburg is greatly troubled by the war-like signals from our Saxon neighbours, especially since Dresden is very "peculiar" when it comes to the matters of religion.

A group of monks are currently writing a report to be sent to the Inquisition of Thuringia to resolve the matter as they had the chance to closely observe the aspects of worship in Saxony.

But above all else let us praise the Lord, for he has granted victory to our crusading armies when battling the infidel in Venice, let us rejoice fellow Christians, for this day will long be praised in song and hymn, speech and prayer! The sinister danger of pagans and infidel pillaging Christian villages has passed for now! Aleluya!"

 

[Schlieffen]

Terpening delivers a message to the guard outside the Pope's door who, in turn, gives it to Pontiff.

 

[unmerged(7347)]

A letter arrives.

 

[unmerged(7347)]

A letter arrives.

“Bishop of Rome, ruler of catholics and Papal States,

The Mamelukes will honor their ancient pledge. Forgive us for not recalling this pledge before. Now we ask that the Papal State and the Mamelukes can sign peace so we can continue to live in co-existens.

Signed by

Ahmed Abu Mazar, Grand Vizier of Cairo”

 

[unmerged(5941)]

The doors of the Papal court open and the familiar face of Charles I enter, followed by Cardinal Frontenac. Charles moves to the throne, bows before Cardinal Corleone and then begins to speak.

"Eminence, I have sinned against God. I took actions that I deemed appropriate without your consent. If you desire, I shall remove the crown from my head and serve penance to you with hopes that I shall be forgiven."

Charles pauses and removes the crown from his head, placing it at the feet of the Cardinal. He then turns and continues.

"I also feel it is necessary to defend France from these wolves. First and foremost, the lack of a casus belli in this war. Although I am nulling my own crowning, it was legal. There was no cause for war from my ascension to King. Louis is live and well, and I have the treaty I signed assuring that he is the heir to France.

As for the casus belli from the breaking of the armistice, from what I recall, the armistice was broken when England annexed Bourbonnais. England may have returned Bourbonnais to Papal protection, but that does not 'unbreak' the armistice, so to say. The armistice was broken by England and if anyone were to have a casus belli against anyone, it would be France and the federation members having a casus belli against England for breaking a treaty.

Now, let me point out some things regarding this war.

Let us start with England. England was one of the earlier countries to join the crusade. Their entrance was followed by a flock of countries in Western Europe which was followed by the entrance of the rest of the Empire into the crusade. Then England, without a casus belli, declares war on France, leaving the Germans to flounder alone in the crusade. I will remind you that the muslims are not beat. Even now, more mongols pour from the Hordes in Russia and their allies are on the move as well. Jerusalem is in the hands of the infidel once again and the only country moving against the Arabs is Genoa, who is still weak from wars with the mongols. Now, England pulls out along with the Federation and the crusade looks very grim. Also, England is a two time holder of the Order of Nazarene, gifts from the Pope, and this is how they repay you? Declaring war on a most Catholic Kingdom?

Now, Normandy. They hold lands they have no claims to. Orleans, and whatever they conquer from me. They too are in this crusade, and now they make war with a most catholic majesty.

Aragon. Same problem. They are on crusade and now they attack a Catholic Kingdom.

Navarra, the silent kingdom. Nothing has been heard from their king in years and suddenly, out of the silence, he declares war on France. No voiced dissent or warnings, just a declaration of war.

Lastly, our good friends in Burgundy, the backstabbers. Burgundy complains about crowns and such. Everything France does, Burgundy uses as a casus belli against France. Have you yet to hear France complaining about the crown of Lothlaringia? The lands of Burgundy were given to Charles the Bold, thus constituting that Burgundy owes fealty to France. Has France collected a single ducat from Burgundy? France has never refuted Burgundy's claims to Lothlaringia. May I remind Queen Marie de Berri that she holds no claims on Burgundy. The only reason she is Queen is because of the benevolence of Charles VII, the man she tried to bury so fiercely. Nonetheless, that doesn't matter much regarding this issue. What does matter is that Burgundy claimed that they could not enter the crusade because their economy was drained. Now, they make war with a catholic country and they march with quite a large army. So, they cannot make war against the heathen, but they can make war upon a catholic realm? Perhaps the Head of the Inquisition should investigate his own realm, as I sense the ugly head of heresy peeking around the corner.

Now, I have presented the facts. The countries who are rewarded by the Pope with titles and positions are the first to abandon the crusade and attack a catholic country, one who is title 'Most Catholic.' They attack without a casus belli and I have nulled my own title. I demand that hostilities cease in this illegal war."

Charles turns back to Corleone.

"Your eminence, I beg of you to inform his holiness what I have said so that he may make a decision regarding this and to save France from those who betray us."

 

[Txini]

Cardinal de Borja Stands up and laugh after hearing Mad Regent Charles:

What are you saying???, how many months you life after the rest of us???.
All what you have said has no sense, first because England gave back Boubonnais to Papal Power some months ago, just after annexing it, who is your informer a blind and deaf man???
Your coronation was an attack over Church, simply you did it thinking that as we were crusading your acts wouldn't be punished, but as you seen you have failed now try to falsely repent. Now let's see Casus Belli
England: As England has always worked and mantained Calais Armistice wich you have broken with your coronation have casus belli against you.
Normandy as ally of England an signing member of Calais Armistice that you broke also have Casus Belli against you.
Aragon, well we send you an Ultimatum, no answer and as you steal crown for Louis, nephew of King Alfons, have Casus Belli against you.
Navarra as also signing country of Calais Armistice and English ally and as you broke Calais Armistice have Casus Belli against you.
Burgundy as noble of France wich is relative to the TRUE KING OF FRANCE, doesn't accept you as king and you have sinned with your coronation never blessed by anyone and show you are unable to govern a country like France.
Wich Titles, also we have told His holiness why we should not continue in Crusade.
Also I should ask the Swiss Guard to arrest this man because sinning against his mother church.

 

[BusterBunny]

Cardinal Jean de Montpetit makes a little gameplay with his finger.

"Crown goes up.

Crown goes down.

Crown goes up.

Crown goes down.

This little game is becoming tiresome. France doesn't respect anything, and acts like a baby.

Your accusations about Burgundy not respecting anything is an insult to the familly of de Berri, who had to sacrifice its freedom for Charles VII madness. And now you insult us again.

France has nothing to say about the Crown of Lotharingia, as it was approved by both His Holiness and by the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Twice, in treaties, France decided to resign its right over Burgundy, and now you come here again with this ridiculous claim of France over Burgundy.

At this point, we've foiled a plot against France, eventhough France seeked with Bourbonnais and Savoie to annihilate us.

YOU ARE THE ONE WHO BETRAYED US, CHARLES! YOU ARE THE ONE WHO CONSISTENTLY SEEK BURGUNDIAN DEMISE! The First day you came at the head of France, you've accused the noble house of Berry of betrayal, when it was really the house of Burgundy that betrayed you. We've let go our claim to Champagne durins the Calais armistice to allow France to get a better deal out of everything. AND YOU DIDN'T THANK US! INSTEAD, YOU'VE PLOTTED AGAINST BURGUNDY.

The Crown of France has insulted the familly of De Berri for the last time, your... regency.. king......

Who knows."

 

[unmerged(6501)]

Cardinal de Lara addresses Cardinal Corleone.

"Brother, Charles of Orleans has undoubtedly been foolish. However, in the face of such opposition he willingly lays aside those actions and claims which have inflamed so many. Surely war is not now the appropriate response nor the way to deal with the situation.

"The King of Castile is greatly concerned for the lands of his nephew, young Louis. What assurance is there that England, Aragon, Burgundy, and Navarre will not further dismember the Crown of France, further diminishing the inheritance of Louis? King Juan cannot simply watch as his nephew's lands are taken nor allow his nephew to find himself in undeserved vassalage, if that should happen."

 

[unmerged(3110)]

Corleone has a look of avarice as he stops scribbling a letter to some far nation to the south and listens to the priest Ruprecht

"Ahh yes..... His holiness would be most grateful for the loan."

"If you would leave it in my care. I... Err... We would be most.. err..... grateful"

De Montpetit then speaks.

"It is not France that is to be held responsible for this madness but a man."

"The disposition of the ex Vassals of France will be addresses later. This mater of a crowning is outrageous and we await Duke Charles and his cardinal to arrive to explain themselves."

To the Genoan

"The Hedjaz are foul beasts that pollute the land. Even their neighbours can see the madness that is upon them. I speak with them on old deals as well, reawakening good sense they once had.. No one else seems ready to take the fight there immediately though. If you could arrange transport, we would be interested in it's use. For now we forge through by land."

"Bishop of Kitzingen Indeed we should rejoice. ....."To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen".- Revelations.i.6. I believe"
"Saxony is peculiar" when it comes to the matters of religion? Does this require looking into? Slander is a dangerous thing. Be sure and have evidence"

Corleone receives more letters, whilst making noises of approval

Suddenly....

"AHHA!............"

"Excellent!"

"Gentlemen. On this one thing I have strict instructions. Please read this letter from Ahmed Abu Mazar, Grand Vizier of Cairo....."

"Bishop of Rome, ruler of Catholics and Papal States,

The Mamelukes will honour their ancient pledge. Forgive us for not recalling this pledge before. Now we ask that the Papal State and the Mamelukes can sign peace so we can continue to live in coexistence.

Signed by

Ahmed Abu Mazar, Grand Vizier of Cairo

"At last the heathen have seen the error of their ways and honour an agreement made when our Holy father was last in office. Upon his stopping a war that would have drained our crusaders in an insecure and volatile land. He held correspondence to ensure that the heathen Mamalukes would protect the flank and peaceful balance we had achieved in the holy land if we spared them. It seems that their scribes have been able to find a sage that remembers it. I am surprised really. They didn't seem to notice all the missionaries we sent as part of the deal either."

"This bodes well. Catholicism is obviously settled in some way in that land at least. We will officially call the Mamalukes a "Friendly" heathen nation that is on the CORRECT side of the line and willing to show honour where we felt there was non. A white peace shall reign"

"As they honour their old leaders pledge we shall raise the crusade against them, and further to that. As there are missionaries doing gods work in converting the heathen it would be frowned upon if they were to be attacked by any son OR daughter of the church"

As the murmurs quieten he smiles.

"Some of us have to do the dirty work and speak to the Heathen. That is my Job."

As the Regent Duke Charles and Cardinal Frontenac walk in his interest quickens, but he hides it.

"Duke Charles and Eminence.." He inclines his head, and listens.

"As to the "Pressured" legality of your claim to the crown. That will have to be addressed. Your warlike stance also."

"The order of the Nazarene is not given lightly and you should bare that in mind when speaking of England. However, as you have seen the error of your ways in some small way by presenting yourself here voluntarily. It bodes well for your future freedom. I would also ask the where abouts of Louis"

"I'm afraid I must place you under arrest Duke Regent. You have a lot of explaining to do over your recent conduct. I might ad it will be an open arrest, confining you to Rome and I would ask you to give your pledge not to leave it."

"Cardinal Frontenac, I ask you to seek forgiveness in prayer and be at the disposal of the Pontiff as soon as he is well"

" This brings me to the point of Hostilities due to ensue. I ask on behalf of the Pope. Jean-Luke II that England, Aragon and Burgundy (and any others) immediately desist in their invasion of French territory until this mater is addressed. If it is too late to stop war initiating, I would ask that they stop immediately they can and cease fire, returning any lands taken this month to the Crown of France. We want no more blood spilled in western Europe."

"I will call a conclave as soon as possible to discus the maters at steak here, as now the papal states are involved in the Temporal as Liege lord to so many in Gallia."

The Duke Regent Charles is shown to a palace in Rome which is to be his city residence for a few months.

As the Aragones and Burgundian speaks he gestures for silence.

"Slander of Burgundy and England will be considered here, eminencies. You are justly wrath, but you have shown such great restraint, I would ask more of you... Await the conclave. We shall all abide by it's findings."

"Cardinal de Lara is correct. And makes a good point. Who are we to refuse a repentant sinner?"

 

[BusterBunny]

Cardinal Jean de Montpetit speaks up:

"Cardinal Corleone... it is but a few days before the English and Aragonese troops arrive at their respective destinations. I will send a letter, but at this time, I fear it is already too late for the objectives that our respective armies were going after. After the taking of those objectives, the lines of communication will be freed and it will be possible to stop all of this, though we haven't heard any reasons for doing so from the French.... this Conclave is the only hope we see of bringing justice. The fate of the taken lands will be determined by the conclusions of this Conclave. If we give back the lands, and that at the end of this Conclave, we find that France was unjust, we wouldn't want to resend our troops to capture our objectives again... that would simply be another bloodshed for no reason."