- ARCHIVE - Imperial Diet of the Holy Roman Empire

[Schlieffen]

Von Loen rises.

Duke Friedrich, I refered to possible splits in Imperial sentiment. As we have seen between the Northern Alliance and the Liga von Nurnburg, a split in who we support amongst ourselves almost destroyed us. But if we were pledged to defend our lands from the nation we support, such as if England was to take Bremen and a neighboring state fought on the side of England against France, the Empire would have yet another split, almost undoubtably with greater consequences. I wish to wait for an Emperor to organize us only so we avoid this from happening again.
And Duke Albrecht, I am sure we could go on for weeks speaking of who the fault of this war should go to. There are arguements supporting the guilt of both sides and, in the end, it matters little, at least to this arguement, as we have supporters of both in the Empire.

 

[Longinus]

Josef Zakrzycki rises to speak.

"Gentelmen, gentelmen,

You are talking about war between England and France like it is completly new issue. However, this conflict befan whan none of us was even born. It was in 1328 when French King Charles IV died hierlessly. The quarrel over the French crown had grown into full scale war in the beggining of 1337.

The recent stage is "barely" one of the stages of this war but everthing indicate it maybe the last one. I think that each single state in the whole Empire should help both sides to reach agreement and peace. We proved two months ago that seemingly hopless case may find its solution.

He pauses for a moment.

As to Empire's internal matters I fully support von Spanger, herr Dyck and Duke Friedrich . I think Imperial elections should be now most important agenda. However, I am most worried with Pflatz inactivity and lack of Elector from Bohemia. I also would like to know who are the candidates? I heared voices who would like to see Duke of Branderburg on Imperial throne. Are there any more candidates?"

 

[unmerged(6719)]

Duke Wilhelm Albrecht speaks:


"The Empire is without an Emperor yet i hear non of you accept a timeline for a new one. Who is with me in saying that we need a new emperor as soon as possible. This issue of France can wait, we have major internal matters at hand that cannot wait any longer."

 

[Schlieffen]

Von Loen rises.

And we also must do so gentlemen. I quote Section 1 of the Golden Bull:

(15) Moreover we decree, and also ordain, that he who shall be archbishop of Mainz at the time shall intimate this same election to the different princes, ecclesiastical and secular, his co-electors, by letters patent, through his envoys. In which letters, indeed, the day and the term shall be expressed within which those letters may probably reach each of those princes. And letters of this sort shall state that, within three successive months from the day expressed in the letters themselves, each and all of the prince electors ought to be settled at Frankfort on the Main, or to send their lawful envoys, at that time and to that place, with full and diverse power, and with their letters patent, signed with the great seal of each of them, to elect a king of the Romans and prospective emperor. How, moreover, and under what form such letters ought to be drawn up and what formality ought to be immutably observed with regard to them, and in what form and manner the prince electors should arrange what envoys are to be sent to such election, and the popover, mandate, or right of procuration that they are to have: all this will be found clearly and expressly written at the end of the present document. And we command and decree, through the plentitude of the imperial power, that the form there established be preserved unto all time.

(16) Moreover we ordain and decree that when the death of the emperor or king of the Romans shall come to be known for certain in the diocese of Mainz,-within one month of that time, counting continuously from the day of the notice of such death, the death itself and the summons of which we have spoken shall be announced by the archbishop of Mainz through his letters patent. But if this same archbishop should chance to be negligent or remiss in carrying out this and in sending the summons,-thereupon those same princes of their own accord shall, even without summons, by virtue of the fealty which they owe to the holy conspire, come together in the oft-mentioned city of Frankfort within three months after this, as is contained in the decree immediately preceding, being about to elect a king of the Humans and future emperor.

The Archbishop of Cologne is already on his way to Frankfurt, despite the lack of the Archbishop of Mainz summoning him. I hopw that the other Electors will begin the trip as well so that we may get this matter over with as soon as possible.

 

[unmerged(6719)]

Duke Wilhelm Albrecht speaks:


"Ah yes that explains everything thank you so much for pointing out the Golden Bull which you so love to do, yet you still avoid the question. I say we put a time limit upon this election that cannot be found in your papers or documents there sir, we must make that choice ourselves. Let us get this over with."

 

[unmerged(5730)]

Duke Friedrich speaks.

"First I would like to answer dear Herr Josef Zakrzycki. This England versus France issue is not new, irht. But it is getting critical, that is the reason why I am here. But, first we need to elect an Emperor.

But, now I need to travel to Frankfurt immidiatly, we need an Emperor now. After me a new Representant for SAxony will arrive."

Duke Friedrich leaves the room for Frankfurt.

 

[unmerged(8054)]

Frantz Dyck rises and bows to the Imperial Throne and the Steward.

"Duke Wilhelm Albrecht, I do believe von Loen put forth a timeframe, since the Golden Bull states that the electors must gather in less than three months.

However, I also believe that these times call for haste, and thus I support duke Wilhelm Albrechts timelimit.

One month might be to hasty, but three will allow the Electors to consider what's best for the Empire."

 

[BusterBunny]

Vicomte André de Laurendeau speaks up.

"It is of Burgundy's view that this war doesn't concern the Empire as both factions are just trying to get some lands from one another. If we simply do not intervene, the troops will get tired and the issue will be solved. If we do intervene, more people will be killed and we will take a position that we maybe do not want to take. Getting involved at this point could only revive the tensions between the Empire and the Northern Alliance."

 

[unmerged(8303)]

Bartolino d'Este stands and surveys the assembled Diet before speaking:

"The war between England and France IS indeed an Imperial issue. Not only are we bound by a treaty to help France should her independence be threatened, but my Duke's honor and integrity is such that he would honor it! By his hand own, he sends for this diet a letter!"

Bartolino holds a bound parchment over his head. If one looks closely enough, the seal of the Duchy of Modena is visible holding the document bound. Bartolino unrolls the letter and begins to read it aloud:

"Noblemen, I sit in the study of my estate and write this letter to the Diet due to grievous circumstances. In darker days I signed a treaty with the King ensuring Modena's independence as well as aid should that independence be threatened. I also pledged to aid the king of France if his safety and security and that of France was at stake. I am fully prepared to open the doors to my vaults to loan the French king my personal wealth and that of Modena. However, I fear if this overture is not enough I may need to take stronger measures. As a member of the Este family, I have at all times in my life been in contact with various veterans of war and their mercenary companies. If necessary I may hire these men to aid the French king in his struggles. The last thing I've ever desired is war, but I will not damn my name and that of my family by disagreeing to honor a pledge I made to a foreign prince. God have mercy on my soul, and all of yours as well.

Duke Nicolò III d'Este
Ruler of Modena"

Bartolino wraps the document back up, slips it into his tunic and sits down. He fumbled a bit nervously as the news settles over the Diet.

 

[unmerged(6501)]

The Steward, gathering papers from the small table near his chair, stands to speak.

"Noble lords and legates, I have word that the Archbishop of Mainz is preparing to summon the Electors. My duty is in Frankfort. In my absence, as usual, Burgrave Erhard von Meissen shall serve as Steward.

"As to the matter of the war in France. Imperial sympathies have generally lain with France. However, there are other issues to consider. The Empire remained neutral at the request of the Pope. To my knowledge, the Pope has not rescinded this request. In addition, the King of England is allied by marriage with the Grand Duke of Livonia, whom he undoubtedly expects to make sure the Empire does not intervene. Any involvement of the Empire will carry very serious consequences."

The Steward speaks briefly in private to Burgrave Erhard before leaving.

 

[unmerged(5941)]

Leopoldo rises.

"Delegates,

I do not believe we should even be considering entering this conflict in the West. Our prior Emperor had received orders from the Pope that the Empire was not to intervene at all in this conflict. It would be wise for us to follow the words of the Vicar, for I believe he has threatened excommunication to any who break this peace, and I can assure you, he shall do the same to Imperial fiefs who join in this war.

Also, my liege, Doge John II placed his name up for candidacy for the Emperor. I believe that we are quite satisfied with giving the electors three months to elect an Emperor."

As Leopolod sits down, a messenger enters the court and hands him a message. After reading it, he rises again, this time with a large smile.

"Delegates, I bring great news from the front in the East. The Golden Horde has capitulated, and has surrendered the province of Crimea to Genoa. Not a single sword was raised. This is surely a sign that God is with Genoa in these wars."

 

[unmerged(1463)]

Prince Cour stands up
The papal decree's once again prevails the Empire as a whole to act, fine, this is understandable we do not want to anger the Pope.
But i do not for a moment beleive that the Pope would oppose direct treaties, as the one France has with Modena and such.
It is the High Command of France beleifs that we can fend of the English armies for a half a year, before their numbers will overwhelm us, we can only hope that the Empire is ready to protect the crumbles that remains.

And to correct some of you, his holiness broke the threat of excommunication in the war in the east, look through the Vaticans archives.

 

[Schlieffen]

Von Loen rises to address the issue of the speed of gaining a new Emperor.

Actualy gentlemen, that too is in the Golden Bull. If a King of the Romans is not elected within 30 days of the Electors gathering in Frankfurt then their accomidations are, to put it mildly, meger - it specificaly states only bread and water for the Electors and none shall leave the city - but I will refrain from quoting the texts as I too am tired of reading from the document. It is quite a long text to read through.
With a small smile he sits down.

 

[LUDWIG]

Lord Georg returns to the Diet, his bearing one of immense sadness.

"My Lord Steward I have returned after many days of prayer for the country. Austria has served ceaselessly for the glory of the Empire, yet her reputation has been destroyed by the finger pointing of others. Now the Empire is exhausted, Austria disgraced yet again, the muslims move and we have not the might to defeat a peasant.
Elect a new Emperor from the Doge of Genoa or the Duke of Brandenburg for either man is worthy of our respect.
I wish I had a vote to cast in their favor.
Pardon me gentlemen but I must go pray for the survival of the Empire, her heart has been badly scarred and she may not live long. Once we had the power to stop a war with the mere threat of our intervention, now I fear we can camp outside the capital of our enemy and he will still not hear us.
Each of us needs to look inside our hearts and see if we can do anything to repair the heart of the Empire.
The church has forsaken us and this is clear, the world no longer cares to help us, we must look deep inside and ensure that never again will we be crippled so.
Work hard gentlemen, work until you cannot move from tiredness, the Empire hangs in the balance and needs us to labour for her renewal.
Guilt and innocence will not help us, only if we put the past behind us and use all our strength to rebuild the Empire will we endure.
"

Georg sits and cries silently into his goblet, his once proud shoulders bent beneath some great burden.

 

[unmerged(6324)]

The Russian envoy who carried the message and is most saddened with the state of the once renound Empire, that his leader so hoped to come to save Christianity feels the pain of the good sir from Austria. He walks over to where he is sitting crying, sits by him, and starts to cry himself...

 

[Bagricula]

The Arrival of Herr von Richter

A rotund man dressed in the black robes of a learned doctor and wearing the golden lion of the Rhineland Palatinate enters the chambers of the Diet accompanied by a handful of pages and clerks. His cheeks are touched with the red of good drink and his eyes with the wrinkles of good humor. In fact, Doctor Konrad von Richter doesn't seem able to smooth out his customary jovial smile even as he greets the various august and noble delegates of the Diet on his way to his desk.

The doctor scans over a set of papers handed him by one of the pages, sticking his fat lower lip out, indicating that he is deep in thought. After an interminable time staring at the paper, so long in fact that some begin to wonder if he's gone asleep the good doctor rises, proffering a bow first to the Margrave of Brandenburg and then to his fellow delegates.

"August and wise princes of the Empire and their learned and eloquent representatives in the Reichstag, it is with the upmost pleasure that I have been sent to serve the Empire as the mouthpiece of my lord the Count Palatine Erich I of the Rhine. I humbly request that this noble body suffer my mean presence and talents in these grand halls in the absense of His Grace."

He takes a sip from his water, grinning broadly,

"Though I would not presume to breach the ethereal void and read the thoughts of my fellows, I ponder that you may wonder why His Grace could not attend in person."

Another grin, almost a light chuckle,

"The Count Palatine as we speak is in transit to Frankfurt to fulfill his duty as Prince-Elector; however, have no fear! Through a network of riders and messengers, I am in nearly constant contact with him and would be proud to convey the wisdom offered by you most august delegates to His Grace to aid him in his most serious decision."

His eyes and his smile move over the entire assembly, before with a quick bow he returns to his seat.

 

[unmerged(3110)]

Percival Pommigrannit raises his voice in an attempt to be heard

Not many can hear his little squeaky voice.

"Errr... mylords...... ahemmmm.... Gentlemen?...... please!...... ahhhhem...... there's a few things you miss.... errr... hello?....... ahhhhhhhh!!...... Sir Rowan returns!.... can anyone hear me?....I say?!....... Sir Rowan returns..... ohhhh.... I give up"

He sits down resigned to being an insignificant beurocrat

 

[unmerged(5730)]

A man enters the Diet. He bows before the Burgrave von Meissen and the other men in the room before he he introduces himself as Count Heinrich von Eimand, representant of the Saxon Duke and steps forward to read the protocoll over the meeting. He speaks.

Dear Gentlemen.

As I see you have two mayor candidates to the Imperal Throne. But, let me nominate another one. One that I think mihgt become the best Emperor of these. Archbishop Augustus von Blommenstein of Cologne. This man is a true noble and fair man, let us not forget him.

 

[Bagricula]

Konrad von Richter rises beaming his beatifical smile over the entire chamber, offering a short nod in the direction of Cologne's delegate. He issues a short cough, followed by a sip of water before speaking,

"My regards to his eminence the archbishop. While I cannot say I am surprised to hear his nomination, I nonetheless offer my heartiest wishes to his continued efforts for the Empire."

He pauses, taking a paper from his desk and scratching his head. Without moving his eyes from the paper, he continues,

"Do not suppose however that this is an endorsement for the election of Herr von Blommenstein. While the Count has always admired the work of the archbishop, he feels that the gravity of this election and its effects on the future of the Empire are such that mere emotion cannot determine who shall ascend to the purple."

Sticking out his lower lip, he pauses only enough for effect, picking up the rhythm easily,

"To aid his grace the Count Palatine in his deliberations, he has instructed me to request that all nations of the Empire offer their thoughts and opinions as to the future of the Empire and Emperor. The explication of such august minds will undubitably provide the next Emperor with a united Empire and the support needed to ensure the safety and prosperity of all the peoples of the Empire. For this purpose, I have a dedicated team of scribes and pages to convey the wishes of your graces to my master so that he may meditate on them and reach a truly Solomanic decision."

Standing there smiling, it seems almost as if the good Doctor has forgotten to seat himself. Finally, at a tug from one of the clerks he returns to his desk, taking a sip of wine.

 

[Schlieffen]

A man rises.
Um... Pardon me, but I believe that, if either of the von Blommensteins are running as I too have heard, that it would be the Archbishop's brother. The Archbishop would not be able to become Emperor as he is not of lay status, a requirement for the position.