- ARCHIVE - Imperial Diet of the Holy Roman Empire

[unmerged(9310)]

Pieter stood, "All who bear witness in the Reichstag to this event! Already, the Burgundians have declared war and are preparing to invade my homeland, Wallonia, for nothing more than defiant words of a Duke who disagreed with the subjigation of his people.

His family is in hiding. He is in exile, and he has done nothing other than speak words of defiance as the Burgundian Queen already masses armies ready to end innocent Christian lives over the matter! If you value the integrity of the empire I plea that you stop this Burgundian menace, before it gets out of hand!"

 

[BusterBunny]

De Laurendeau speaks up.

"Again, lies. We can't amass an army because of winter, my lords. After seeing the demise of the Imperial armies against Austria, I think.. or was it the other way around... anyways, your Lords will understand why Burgundy would not attack in the winter.

Some matters are under discussion in Dijon at the moment, and the notice of war will be received to the court of Brussel in short notice. Since the House van der Hayle is in exile, I guess we've half way achieved our goal. We only need to find another ruling house and things will be settled."

 

[Petrarca]

Originally posted by jeffg006
[. . .] Indeed, could Bohemia be properly ruled and the interests of all the Bohemian peoples be well satisfied by a the rule of a foreign King from the west? Indeed not. [. . .]

With those words in mind, Ondrej swore in Czech and exploded:

“How dare you think it your place to insult us? You claim as fact the affairs of a kingdom which you nothing about while you attempt to justify your own rebellion against the other Imperial kingdom. You insult my liege, His Majesty Ladislav, by implying that his houses, Luxemburg and Wittelsbach, originating as Germans in the west of the Empire, are somehow unfit to rule Bohemia. Speak further to me, if you continue on the thought that Germans are unfit to rule a mix of Germans and Czechs. We could arrange proper settlement of such a dispute, on the nearest open ground with proper weapons! You think that the burghers of your cities may decide who can and cannot rule you? I tell you nay, that never shall sovereign rule be challenged again by upstarts, whether common or noble! Much like your own plans against Lotharingia, insurgents and revolutionaries seized power, disallowing the rule of His Imperial Majesty Sigismund. Let me repeat, NEVER shall I or any other loyal citizen of Bohemia condone or consent to insurrections against the rightful ruler of a kingdom.”

Count Rozmberk smiled placidly once finished with his harangue:

“Lord Chancellor, please send the stipulations for my fine to Praha. His Majesty knows how to keep his envoys on a tight leash, and I expect some price for insulting that cur and challenging him to open combat, conduct doubtlessly unbecoming of a noble delegate. I only ask that my speaking privileges be maintained, for we are in a time of some crisis.”

 

[unmerged(19718)]

Enter William...

Enter William, ambassador of the Duchy of Luxemburg to the German states.

"Your highness, I bring tidings from the Duke of Luxemburg, your loyal servant.

"My master, though he understands what his cousin may or may not have decided to do to the Queen of Lotharingia understands many things.

"First of all, the Duke no longer pledges his support to the queen that was never put into action. He revokes his support and so have his people. This is out of fear of what he has seen happen to Brabant, not only his good friend and ally, but a loyal servant of the Lotharingian monarchy.

"Second of all, the Duke swears on his blood that he has seen aggression of the queen against the Duke of Brabant whom had commited no crime against the queen. Adrien van der Hayle should not be punished for such little evidence against him. Therefore the Duke swears a blood alliance to his fellow Duke and cousin.

"Third of all, the Duke now pledges full support to whatever righteous act the Emperor may condemn against the Lotharingians for he has far evidence of their plans to move into Lotharingia. Adrien van der Hayle himself, while still a servent of the queen, told of the woman's plans to invade Germany to bring into her hold more lands. Considering her threats against Luxemburg, a servant of the Emperor, this is easily seen. If the Emperor refuses this evidence then what hope is there for him and his Empire?

"My lord himself intends to come onto this land, sire, but he has issues to deal with the Dutch. He may come should personal problems not arise afterwords however.

"Now sire, it is up to you to decide the judgment of this plotting queen and her helpless servant, lord of but a small duchy now tyrannicaly held by a mad despotess.

"That is all for now, sire."

And with that William sat down.

 

[unmerged(13005)]

Hoekstra sighs aloud;

"Is it war then? Indeed, let it be noted that the Lotharingian Queen choses quite an opportune moment to settle her issue with the Duke of Brabant, seeing as how half the Empire is tied up in wars with Austria and Denmark. A very opportune moment, yes? As for your questions Burgundian, I contra with one of my own: can you argue in morality, or only in pseudo-legal babble? Yes, the legality is yours, but I do believe that the right is ours. Legality becomes void when it crushes under its heel the freedom of good Christians. Such is the position of the Frisians.'

 

[BusterBunny]

De Laurendeau answers the Frisian:

"Yes, an opportune moment indeed. Gelre is currently at war, and both Luxembourg and Brabant had the brilliant idea to attack the duchy of Gerle.

Again, I am unsure why we are all talking about this. The Lotharingian troops will be moving in Brabant and all be settled. And though you claim the "netherlands"... whatever that is... will protect her, you will simply condem innocents to die for a duke that....

a) doesn't understand the laws of succession.
b) doesn't understand the laws of the Empire.
c) doesn't understand its duty as a vassal.
d) doesn't understand the gravity of plotting against Gelre.
e) doesn't understand that he is NOT of royal Burgundian line.
f) doesn't understand the gravity of plotting against its overlord.
g) doesn't understand that within the Empire, many vassals are controlled by overlords of different origins.
h) doesn't even understand the basic principal of feodality.

So, in the end, you can all ally against Lotharingia if you want to. I won't be surprised. All my questions are still left unanswered by Lotharingia's detractors.

Oh, should I repeat those questions to Brabant's allies, since the Brabant representative hides:

1- Your are also the vassal of a Pommeranian Emperor. Do you look into seceeding from the Empire?

2- Tell me of the lands conquered, of the expansion of the House of Berry in the Empire... which country did we conquer? Which lands did we attack? Which expension?

Imperial Princes of the Empire, the whole debate here, right now, is an insult to this institution. When was last time we allowed a vassal to rebel against its overlord "because they just didn't feel like being ruled by them". What kind of precendent is that? Can I ask not to be ruled by His Most Imperial Majesty, simply because I don't feel like it? Simply because he is Pommeranian, and not French?

Yes, we are discussing about a country that "doesn't feel" like it.

This is the kind of mockery we are discussing right now."

 

[Auspend]

Zweig thinks to himself a bit, quietly humming a happy tune. *All this talk of the people rejecting Lotharingia is quite Republican. Completely against everything we perceive as right. Delicious. An important dispute to keep my eye on, but I think I shall leave our say in this matter to the Pfalzian regents.*

He leans forward making sure he doesn't miss any of the action

 

[unmerged(13005)]

Hoekstra reads a note passed to him by a page, grimaces, and stands to speak;

"And see now, my fellow delegates to The High Imperial Diet. The Lotharingian villians have already declared war upon our ally, The Duke of Brabant. Knowing well that this war will involve the good Christian souls of Friesland and Luxemburg as well, her Majesty the Queen has chosen a shameless road. Soon, much Imperial Catholic blood will be shed. Indeed, the Queen is well aware that she most probably will trample the three lowland realms without even an afterthought. And so she does not hesitate to do her damage. Why will Burgundy destroy Imperial lands and take Imperial lives? The answer is simple, because she can. Gentlemen, I present to you The Beast!

I ask all the Houses of The Empire to aid us in our struggle. Indeed, it seems that without aid from without, the lowlands are doomed. I implore you, do not let The Burgundian ravage our lands and murder our people! In the name of God and Empire, come to our aid in these dark times!"

 

[BusterBunny]

De Laurendeau laughed at the representative of Friesland.

"I hope we didn't surprise you too much with this declaration of war, my friend. I mean, we did say we would do it. We also did say this was the result of plotting against Lothariginia, and the breaking of vassalage.

I mean, I am looking at the moment what the scribe wrote, and maybe you were asleep, but we did say all of this.

I will go even further than this.

Friesland WANTS war with Lotharingia.

I have for proof a message, dated before the "Netherland defense pact", from Lotharingia, to Brabant, telling of war if the House van der Hayle wouldn't retire.

You DID know about this, and yet decided to join in an alliance with Brabant.

As for the blood of innocents, it is a tragedy. But one that would have been prevented by the simply removal of House van der Hayle after their treatury. But I will make this quick. We will not even siege for long. I don't even think we will plunder the fields surrounding Brussel.

Frieland wanted war? It has it now. Why do you complain?"

 

[unmerged(13005)]

"Yes indeed, Friesland wanted a war it is bound to lose. Your wit knows no limits, Burgundian. We stand in defense of small individualy helpless realms against your expantionist tide. Justify yourself all you may, it is still a manuever of blatant expantionism. We will settle this on the field of battle. Friesland will uphold its oath. That is all, cynical Burgundian wit."

 

[unmerged(9310)]

Pieter quickly corrected the Burgundian, "Your warmongering Queen has declared war and made decisions that wil lcertainly end with the loss of Chrstian lives, and it is a war solely and only based upon only the supossed words of one man spoken in the French court. My master has not broken any kind of vassalage, only has he threatened to. Your war brought that."

 

[unmerged(9310)]

"Lies!" Pieter shouted, "The Netherlands Defense Agreement was made on the strict basis to protect our peaceful states. War was only to be made on ONE term, according to the agreement; if war was made upon us. War has been made, it seems, upon our people by your ruthless invasion, which has no reasoning other that limitless and violent expansionism into the Holy Roman Empire. You ignore the rule of this diet and defy the Emperor."

 

[BusterBunny]

De Laurendeau answers.

"Again, we speak of expansion in the Empire.

I THINK I've asked this question before, but I will ask it again, just to make sure I did....


Tell me of the lands conquered, of the expansion of the House of Berry in the Empire... which country did we conquer? Which lands did we attack? Which expension?

I do not know, alas. Maybe the former dukes of Burgundy shouldn't have married the duchesse of Brabant, who knows. Friesland seemed happy about the move at the time. Luxembourg was more than happy. But now, it seems that 70 years later, it is a sin, or something like that. Yes, marriage, and the linked law of successions, are now considered sins by this Diet. Well, maybe I am wrong, My Lords and Princes...

If the threats of secession are removed, we have no reason to make war to Brabant. But the House van der Hayle will have to reswore fealty to the House of Berry, and will have to stop plotting against Burgundy, or Gelre, or any Imperial Realms for that matter. Can they do that? I don't think they can. This would mean stepping on their honor. I'm not sure which honor. The honor of betraying its overlord? The honor of a House of commoners? I do not know. But the House of Burgundy itself is passing way too much time on this issue that it should.

And might I add, the silence from this Diet speaks for itself. Except for the "Netherland Rat Pack", I do not see much opposition to all of this.

The objective is still clear.

We will not vassalize Friesland nor will we annex it.
We will not annex Brabant.

Should Luxembourg join, I also plea that we will neither annex nor vassalize Luxembourg, but we will surely deliver it to the hands of the House von Wittelsbach in Bohemia.

Such is the words of the House of Berry.

Is there anyone else than the "Netherland Rat Pack" who wants to add something?"

 

[unmerged(18481)]

Benedetto Correano stood up and raised his arms.

“Good lords, good lords! Please! We are in the Imperial Diet, not in a tavern! Please, behave yourselves!”

When the assembly calmed down a bit, Correano continued in a lower voice.

“In my opinion, the situation is getting out of hand. This debate, this war is getting more and more disturbing. These most disgusting and destabilizing ‘nationalistic’ ideas are on the rise again, and the Lowlands are drifting to the least desired state of civil war. For the sake of the Empire, what all of you respect, please, calm down and let’s try to find a peaceful solution…”

Correano scratched the bald spot on the top of his head and turned to de Laurendeau.

“Signore Laurendeau, although I accept and respect the Lotharingiainen right to deal with revolting vassals, I would like to propose Lotharingia to retain her armies. Although I don’t doubt that Lotharingia alone can pacify the entire region, I fear, such move would lead to highly undesirable consequences. I would like to propose you to graciously renounce your right of dealing with the Brabant-problem on the Emperor’s behalf. Let His Imperial Majesty investigate and judge this matter. For the sake of the Empire, consider this, good lord! Perhaps this way you could avoid bloodshed and war.”

He bowed his head toward the vicomte and turned to the other fraction.

“The same applies to the states of the Lowlands, to Brabant and her allies. Retain the hostilities until there’s no other way to choose. I would like to propose you all to wait for His Imperial Majesty and his judgement. Thank you in advance.”

 

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Hoekstra did not hear, for he was too busy growling at the Burgundian:

"Warmongerers with wit, how very refreshing. Or not. I tire of these long drawn speeches where nothing new or inovative is said. Rat pack? What arrogance. The Burgundian seems to consider himself beyond common courtesy. I will only say this- it is your Queen who declared war on her own vassal. This fact speaks for itself.
Other than that, sir, I am prepared to challenge you to a duel. Great would be my satisfaction if I could forever silence your insolent, arrogant, and cynical Burgundian tongue."

 

[BusterBunny]

De Laurendeau answers the representative of Piemonte.

"Very well. Thought the state of war will continue to exist for the time being between the House of Berry and the House of van der Hayle, and that troops movements will be done within the boundaries of Lotharingia, I can accept, if it is the will of this Diet, and contrary to the common knowledge regarding the right of sovereign lords to manage their Imperial realms without interference from the Diet, to withold any attacks on the different realms who supports Brabant's treatury and secession.

I doubt His Most August Imperial Majesty has time to settle this issue. But since we need time to move our troops, let's make the best out of it."

 

[unmerged(8054)]

Stefan Drechsler rises.

"Gentlemen, first an announcement; The duchies of Bremen and Hannover have entered the Imperial war against the rebels in Austria, and the combined armies of the duchies stand ready to march undet the Imperial banner.

As for the Lotharingian question, Bremen and Hannover does fully support the Lotharingian right to deal with rebellious vassals. If the proof is sufficient, and I have no reason to think it is not, it is the right of any overlord to dispose of rebellious vassals.
The guarentees issued by herr de Laurendeau are welcomed by Bremen and Hannover, and it is my opinion that it clearly shows that this war is not a war of agression and greed, but of justice and punishment of men found plotting against their rightfull overlord.

Finally, I am glad to announce that the duke of Bremen, Hannover and Prussia, Johann III of Bremen, have accepted an invitation to negotiate with the King of Denmark in neutral Heidelburg. With Gods aid, we may soon see peace in the North."

 

[BusterBunny]

De Laurendeau answers the Frisian.

"I am sure the representative will get over the fact that I've called his alliance a "rat pack" since our most beloved Queen seems to be "The Beast"

Oh, the short memories of certain people.

Oh, while we're at it, I've got interesting questions for the representative of Friesland, who talks about Lotharingian expansionism.

Here's the questions:

Tell me of the lands conquered, of the expansion of the House of Berry in the Empire... which country did we conquer? Which lands did we attack? Which expension?

Oh, the short memories of certain people. "

 

[unmerged(13005)]

"And here is my answer: Your Queen presides over three-fourths of the Netherlands, our Dutch cousins. For years we have heard tales of how the Lotharingian Queen maltreats her Dutch subjects. For years our cousins, rightful citizens of the Empire, have been oppressed by a foreign house who show them no leeway or goodwill.
Will you answer my challenge, Burgundian villian, or will you once again retreat to your tired questions and witty Burgundian gimmicks? Are you a coward, Burgundian, that you will not answer my challenge?"

 

[BusterBunny]

De Laurendeau, again.

"Ah, so we have an answer, finally. We have acquired through marriages some lands in the Low Counties.

Is this a sin? It is marriage and its law of succession, that also leads most realms in the Empire. Do you deny those rights?

As for your challenge, I will do even better! I will be the one leading the cavalry charges against YOUR armies. How about that!"