- ARCHIVE - Miscellanea Unsorteous (Original Vault)

[TomHas]

A letter from Baden arrives

+In nomine Domine et sancte et individae trinitatis Amen+

Bernhard, margrave ze Baden etc. an unnser guet freunt hertzoge Phillipus von Burgunde etc.

Our ambassador in Bern inquiered about the conditions they would need to come back to friendly terms with the noble house of Bourgogne.
They are by much too fargoing, we know. But we will do our best to mediate. Please let us know how you regard this and how much of it is acceptable.

In copiam
As you are offering your services as a mediator I can tell you what Helvetica would need for our nations to be brought back from the brink of war:

*An apology, several actually. One for having my messenger killed, one for insulting myself numerous times, one for insulting my nation, one for insulting my lineage and one for insulting my bride-to-be, the lovely Jeanne d'Alencon.

*Secondly we would require for the Duke to make a personal apology to the relatives and friends of the young man whom he first toutrured and then killed in cold blood.

*Third would be monies for a proper burial for the aforementioned young man whom the Duke had tourtured and killed.

*And finnally we require an agreement that there is to be no war between Helvetica and Burgundy for at the very least 5 years.

Furthermore we want to inform you herewith, that an alliance between the margraviate of Baden and the Helvetian Confederation will be established for the welfare of both our people.

Imprimit sigillum nostrum
Dat. et act. Altobadenia in sabatthum post die conversio Pauli

 

[unmerged(6015)]

The Order of the Rhine

The Order of the Rhine

Members:

Baden - Lutprecht of Fürstenberg
Helvetica - Hans Leubeckher


Seat:

Ritter Palace, Luzern, Helvetica

Wars:

None at present


News:

- Savoie have joined the Order but theirdiplomat is yet to arrive at the Ritter Palace

 

[TomHas]

Two messages from Baden arrive, one bearing the secret seal of Bernhard, the other bearing the sigillum maiestatis de marchio.

The latter reads:

+In nomine domine et sancte et índividuae trinitatis Amen+

Bernhardus marchio etc. sends greetings to the Cantons of Helvetia.
Friends in the south. We would be happy if our future alliance could be named "Allemanic Alliance or Union of the Rhine".
As we both now the Rhine is a long river and we are not localized in the lowlands. But both our people derive from the proud Germanic tribe of the Alemanns, so this addition should make clear where our origins ly and where we are situated.
As seat of the Alliance I would propose two cities.
Konstanz and Basel, both directly situated at the Rhine river, both rich so they are able to supply our delegates.
I further propose that both cities should be made as seats and the assembly of the alliance should move every three months.
As both cities are also directly situated at the borders of our fair countries. Konstanz lying on the Badenian, Basel on the Helvetian side we regard this as a outward sign of our mutual understanding.

Imprimit sigillum maiestatis nostrum
Datum et actum Altobadenia in sabbatho post die conversio Pauli

 

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*A letter arrives from the Order of the Rhine*

Noble Duke,

You have been invited to join the Order of the Rhine. Know that if you decide to join you must pledge to protect all members of the Order to the best of your ability. In return they will all do the same for you whenever you should call on them. The Order is a collection of smaller states in our region who have sworn to help each other in times of war, we would like to offer that protection to you. Let us know of your response as swiftly as possible.

Your future ally,

 

[unmerged(6015)]

Noble Ally,

My friend, the Alliance has been named "The Order of the Rhine". As for the seat, Luzern is one of our northenmost cities and that is why it was chosen (OOC: at this point in history Basel is not yet part of Switzerland). However if you would still like for it to be positioned in Basel we will gladly arrange it. However we would like for it to be in only one city so that the assembly does not have to move all the time as this would be cumbersome for the delegates and worst of all in this type of cold miserable weather.

Your ally,

Chairman Rolph Sigerstraussen

Another letter accompanies this one, sealed.

 

[unmerged(6015)]

As the Grandmaster crested the hill, he looked out onto the city of Bern in front of him. Sitting in the middle of an island, with only one bridge out and back, it was as much a fortress as you could get. Walls formed extensions of the steep edges of the cliffs on all sides of the island. It was, in short, a perfect fortress.
Coming down the hill into the valley in which the lake was situated, the noise of the city started to carry to the Grandmaster and the 50-odd-knight entourage he had with him. They had been spotted from the walls and the word rushed through the city to the Chairman.
“Come quickly,” his guard said, “The Knights approach.”
By now people were covering the walls watching the knights come closer in the distance.
“Come on boys,” The Grandmaster called to his knights, “Lets put on a bit of a show for them.”
Rushing their horses into a gallop the knights came towards the city at a ferocious speed. From the walls it was a truly awesome sight. Riding across the bridge, the hooves of the horses clattered on the stone and all through the streets of Bern they could be heard as they approached. Stopping before the house of Parliament they dismounted, and the Chairman came out to greet them.
“Noble Grandmaster, knights. You must be weary after your ride. Come inside and let me show you the best hospitality Switzerland can offer. Rest now, these grooms will take your horses. Tonight we will feast!”
And so the Grandmaster and his knights entered behind the Chairman, their stay in Helvetica was sure to be entertaining.

 

[Martinus]

Repost

To the usurper, murderer and bastard, who calls himself Charles, Prince of France.

Thou who were born of sinful, not a sacred wedlock and who art heir to nothing, but shame and scorn solely, know that our friend and brother, noble England, advances upon thee with his mighty force.

Thus retribution shall soon come upon thee, with castles and land rightfully forfeited in the name of the rightful King and lord of France.

Albeit, we offer thee an act of mercy, ordering thee to stand before the court of peers, so that thine punishment for this heinous crime may be decided.

We summon thee to appear with your accomplice, the heinous bastard who's called Orleans, so that the justice may be done upon thee by unbiased judges. Yet if thou choosest to flee like a hateful maggot, know that when by Fortune's wish thou art caught by us, no court nor law shall protect thee, as we shall exert upon thee an ancient law of revenge and filial vendetta.

May God have mercy on thine damned soul,

By own hand at Dijon on this day of the Year of Our Lord, One Thousand Four Hundred Nineteen

 

[unmerged(6015)]

A sealed letter arrivse for the King.

 

[PatMaster]

Hundreds of Swedish nobles gathers in Ellsinore castle, at least one from every larger Swedish noble family. At hearing the rumors of a Swedish Viceroy which should, according to the rumors, be of Swedish decent, voices are raised about the legitimacy of such an act.
The Swedish nobles are since long back petitioned in two camps, the Union friendly, and the Union opponents; the nobles who wanted to elect a Swedish king and claimed that the election of the German Erik of Pommern was illegimate according to Swedish law. Even though the Union friendly was more numerous than the opponents the latter was growing for every year that passed.

The Arguments of the Union opponents
They claim that the appointment of the Viceroy will make Sweden having a position in the union lower than the other two countries. After all, the king was elected by them to be their leaders, the first among nobles, according to Swedish law, but now he does not want to govern them himself, but rather appoints a Viceroy, as if Sweden was not worthy his presence or attention!
The nobles of Sweden have got the right to elect their own king, and if the current one is not worthy to be the king, he may be replaced. After all, you may wonder if the election of him as king was legal after all? The law clearly say that the king must be from Sweden, and this German is clearly not.

The Arguments of the Union friendly
They claim that breaking the union would be a foolish act, as Scandinavia need to be unified against it's enemies. Their main arguments are that breaking the union, would most probably lead to a war against Denmark, which would benefit no one. The king was elected by the Swedish nobles, and there was no reason to break this decision.

Several harsh arguments errupted between the two sides, and more than one duel was fought on the streets of Ellsinore.

 

[Legolas]

[A message arrives from Lithuania]
"Most disrespectful Khan of Golden Horde,
you are infidels, who came here from deep on the steppes. You now poison the lands of Eastern Europe with your "religion". You persecute your people of Orthodox faith. But, they even are not your people, as you have conquered all of them. In conclusion, you are a poison, a threat to all civilised Europe.
Lithuania alone is maybe too small to counter your hordes, but together with allies from Poland and the Teutonic Order, and together with semi-allies from Muscowy and Constantinople we are strong enough to send you back to where you came from. Therefore, Lithuania joins the Orthodox crusade against you and your allies from the Ottoman Empire and Algiers.
Signed,
Grand Duke Vytautas of Lithuania"

 

[Legolas]

[A message arrives to the representative of Lithuania. He reads it, then stands and speaks again]
"My allies, the message I recieved confirms that Lithuania has joined the Orthodox crusade against the infidels. A part of this message reads:
"As this is a quick move, we cannot condemn our allies if they don't join it. But any help from them is mostly appreciated. No matter what this help may be, whether joining the crusade, economical or militaristical aid."
So, my dearest allies, I ask you, in the name of my Grand Duke: aid Lithuania in the crusade!"
[The representative awaits any answer from the allies]

 

[Legolas]

Lithuania has joined the Orthodox crusade against Golden Horde, Ottomans and Algiers.
Lithuania buys 2 tech and 2 landmil.
Also, I think Lithuania should get the moral bonus as Orthodox nations, because most of Lithuanian people are Orthodoxes.

 

[Martinus]

Originally posted by Legolas
Lithuania has joined the Orthodox crusade against Golden Horde, Ottomans and Algiers.
Lithuania buys 2 tech and 2 landmil.
Also, I think Lithuania should get the moral bonus as Orthodox nations, because most of Lithuanian people are Orthodoxes.

Sorry, only state religion counts, mate

 

[unmerged(7151)]

Do we need call a state soon not to be in existance by its true name?

 

[unmerged(6015)]

The Order of the Rhine has formed. Members are Baden and Helvetica and the seat is in Luzern.

 

[unmerged(6015)]

I see you've already written it up. Three cheers for mart for writing it even before we told him about it!

 

[unmerged(3236)]

Hereafter the Great Khan will Refer to the "Evil Nobility Orthodox Swines in the ottoman empire" instead of the Byzantine empire

 

[unmerged(5730)]

A Portugese messenger arrives at the Court in Genoa with a message.

"Dear Doge John.

I have a message from King João I of Portugal. He's wondering if you can support him in the war against Algeria by loaning him 2 eco. This would really improve our relations. He also would like me, Juan Asvente., to be his ambassador in your country."

 

[unmerged(547)]

False King of France,

It is apparent that you still doubt my legitamacy as King of France. Therefore, I offer you a copy of the original document, as sent by Edward III, King of England and France which clearly discredits your false claim.

Milords:


We here set forth the genealogy of the Kings of France and why we, Edward III claim justly, and why Philippe VI claim unjustly the Throne of France.


The Valois Family Tree


Good Philippe III, of the House of Capet, King of France, had three sons. And on his death the throne passed to his eldest son, Philippe IV.


Philippe IV having issue, at his death the throne passed not to his younger brothers but to this issue, and the branch of the Capetian tree from which springs our current Philippe was then passed over.


This issue of Philippe IV included three sons, and each ruled in turn (as well, briefly, as the son of the eldest, who though crowned as Infant King died before the end of his first year of life). These brothers were Louis X, Philip V and Charles IV. And now, all Philippe IV's sons have died, and none of these sons have left him a living grandson.


But Philippe IV had also a daughter, and this daughter, Isabella , has issue via Charles of Valois. And this son of hers is the only living grandson of Philippe IV, and the sister of France's last previous Capetian king and this son is the only living nephew of his three sons, three Kings of France. And this daughter of Philippe IV Capet is our own mother and this son of hers, grandson of Philippe and Capetian heir is OURSELF, EDWARD III PLANTAGENET.


But why should Philippe VI claim that now this vital trunk of the Capetian Tree, which produced in our grandfather, our uncles, and our cousin the last five kings of France be now disregarded? And why should he claim that the throne should pass not directly to us through our mother, but back through several generations and younger sons to that long bypassed twig of which he is the meager fruit?


He calls upon the ancient "Salic Law" of King Pharamond.


Salic Law


"In terram Salicam muliers ne succedant"

(In Salic lands no woman shall inherit)


This "law Salique" to which Philippe appeals has no bearing on our claim of France for five reasons:


1)This law is not written for France, but for lands outside France's borders. The Land Salique lies not in France, but between the rivers Sala and Elbe, in the German Province of Meisen. Our claim is for the throne of France. If Philippe's claim be based upon this law he be at most, the baron of a small forested waste along the Elbe, to which he is welcome.


2) This law was written not for France, but for the Barbarous Frankish Kingdom which preceeded France. Pharamond, author of the law, died in the year of our Saviour 426 (342 Years before the reign of Charlemagne). This law is irrelevant to the Kingdom of France, being written by another government, before the Monarchy of France which we claim was ever founded. Consider Philippe's reasoning: He tries to bar us by a law written before France existed for a land outside France's borders. If a man steals a cow this day in Kent, Our English courts would not let him justify theft by appeal to a tribal law of fifth century Norway.


3) This law was written for pagan lands. Salic law was written by King Pharamond when this part of Germany was only partially Christianized, to protect Christian colonists who married local woman with pagan leanings. We hold that in Christian lands such law, based upon pagan lands and considerations, holds not. We, as a Christian King, hold rather that our Law should be based on God's Will as he revealed it to us in the Book of Numbers of His Holy Scripture: "When the man dies, let the inheritance descend unto the daughter."


4) This law, were it to apply to the Throne of France (which it does not), would disbar not only ourself, but Philippe equally as well, and all Kings of France for the last 600 years! Many times previously the throne of France has passed through the female line. Hugh Capet and Pepin III (the Short) did so inherit, as just two examples. Recall that Pepin's rule in these circumstances was confirmed by the Pope, Zacharias, and that Pepin's son who succeeded him, Charlemagne, is considered at least by most (though apparently not Philippe) to be a true French Monarch, and not a usurper. Does Philippe want to tell us that Pope Zacharias erred and that he, Philippe is of greater authority in such matters than the Pope? Does Philippe really mean to tell us Charlemagne was never in truth a French King? We differ from him in this and we do claim Charlemagne as our ancestor. Further, this line of reasoning would lead to the discreditation of every succeeding monarch since Charlemagne's father, and the crowning of some unknown Chur who squats in his hovel, distantly but unknowingly related through some preposterous chain of distant male cousins and uncles! Louis IX, that holy King of France, was canonized by Holy Mother the Church as one of her revered Saints. This means the Church (which we, Edward, hold to be guided constantly by the Holy Spirit and thus incapable of Error in the instruction of the Faithful) did duly and formally investigate every aspect of his life, and by canonization did declare his life to be a model on which the faithful should pattern their own lives to insure the salvation of their souls. Yet the Sainted Louis, like all of us, was concerned about the justice of his claim to the throne. He did investigate the Justice of his claim, since certain of his ancestors had inherited through the woman, and since he, a Holy man, wished at all cost to avoid any sin including that of usurpation. And Louis did satisfy himself that his claim and his Rule were Just. If Philippe VI wishes us to believe it usurpation to claim the throne of France through the Female Line, then he not only calls Saint Louis a usurper, but must also claim the Church has erred in holding Louis up as a Sainted Example of a Christian Monarch.


5) The French themselves do not believe this law. In land disputes within France, nobles renowned for their knowledge of heraldry and geneanlogy, do proudly point to their female lineage as proof of their right to title in these very lands.


In Summary:


One must either hold that Our claim of France is Just, or hold with Philippe's reasoning. But to hold with Philippe one must also:


a) Feel that the Kingship of France is not a Mighty Honor and Responsibility which like a flooding river should come straight to us through our mother, but rather a tiny meandering brook which wanders back through generations and bypasses second sons to "trickle down" to Philippe.


b) Appeal to the Laws of a time and place which are not France.


c) Favor Laws of Pagan Lands over Laws based upon God's Word Revealed to Us.


d) Discredit not only our claim but also that of Philippe, Charlemagne and his father Pepin, and many other Kings of France as well, not the least of which is the Sainted King Louis.


e) Deny the authority of noted French nobles in matters of genealogy when they have testified in formal court proceedings denying the existence of any such bar.


Thus we, Edward III Plantagenet, having diligently and thoughtfully put forth our claim, do rightfully claim that Throne of France which is ours from our Valois mother, her father, her brothers and her nephew, the last Five Kings of France.


By my Hand at Westminster-

|, EDWARD III PLANTAGENET,
BY THE GRACE OF GOD,
KING OF ENGLAND,FRANCE,IRELAND AND WALES

As stated above, your denial to my rightful crown is unjust and false. I demand that you cease your rebellion against your rightful King.

By his own hand at Rouen,

 

[celedhring]

The King of Aragon is overjoyed on hearing the words of the noble Doge of Genoa.

"We are content with the conditions stated by the Doge of Genoa, and thus, Aragon agrees to not integrate Aragon into the territories of the Crown, but just to unite them under my persona and the ones of my legal descendants. So, should my dinasty become extinct in that territory, by cause of nature or by cause of man, the title will be given to the legal primogenite descendant of the Grimaldi family."

Aragon signs the treaty. With the signatures of the three powers, the negotiations are concluded.

"Now, our powers at last are united with the only objectives of the prosperity towards trade and the spreading of the Holy Catholic faith amongst the Mediterranean. My dear friends, only one thing I can say. Under this fair ceiling, today history has been made."

(OOC: Genoa will retain legal claim to Genoa in case I lose control of it because I lose it in a war or my dinasty becomes extinct with no legal heir.)