Ducal Court of Gelre

[I Killed Kenny]

The reason Jan's reply took so long was because of the letter he got from a courier. After reading that Jan looked overjoyed.

"Well your Grace, it looks like I'm not authorised to discuss matters of trade with you at the moment as it seems that the Duchy of Bremen has finally awoken again. However I will contact Duke Johan of Bremen and ask him if I may discuss the matter with you for the Hansa."

Estevão replies back​

"Well my lord there are other issues that also envolve trade and war that I need to discuss. As you know a cruzade in Africa is happening. Well right now His majesty João II need man and money to invade destroy the last strong hold in Iberia and then Go foward to Africa. For that he sent me also, besides of see your cornoation, to ask for the Help of your Grace." Estevão smiles and waiting for anything

 

[Elias Tarfarius]

Hendrik listened carefully to the Bavarian.

"It is very well my concern what you are planning to do in Eire!" after that small outburst Hendrik thought for a few seconds.

"Hmmmm, getting transportation for your forces will not be easy, the Gelran economy thrives and our trading partners in the Medditeratian and the Baltic region require alot of transportation." Hendrik wasn't totally telling the truth, yes the Gelran economy was running smoothly but recently the Hansa Nordic Company was disbanded due to the climate changes so there were more then enough vessels available. He was only saying this to higher the price.

"Let me tell you our price, we only require 4,000 for your florins however I think that once you return there won't be any need for your forces anymore, so we require your service immediately. On the Northside of the Southernsea there is a string of islands, the most western ones are subject to the Burgundian Crown, they are the personal fief of the Count of Holland an Zeeland, Jan van Bayern who has joined the Union of Arras. We need those islands to protect our shippinglines and aid a possible blockade. The islands are probably not defended by that many forces, a hunderd in total probably so the conquest will not take longer then five days, once a island is taken our forces will garrison it. Also, we require a written contract in which you state your intentions in Eire. What do you think?"

Herr Mantel rubbed his haggard, but hairless chin. He knew it would come to this all along. No matter, what was it to him if the non-existant government of "Lotharingia" lost a few sandy isles.

A hundred... never have my ears heard a more fair deal, your excellency. Time is of the essence, for I had said we would arrive in two months or there abouts. Now two months are past and any more delay will bring ruin to the cause. I wll leave it to your capable scribe to write up a contract while I prepare my men for their first blood. I have spoken the true propose of our campaign to your excellency already.

My men will be ready to attack as soon as you deem it wise.

 

[unmerged(4271)]

"Master! Master!" the two servant boys ran through the halls in a shocking breech of decorum looking for the otherwise preoccupied Jan.

"'Ere now! Wot's this all about?" boomed the voice behind them as a large muscular hand clamped down on each of their shoulders. Turning the found one of the Lord's more short-tempered butlers.

Nervously they started to babble back and forth, interrupting and cutting each other off, until the butler noticed one of them crumpling a strange object in his dirty hands.

"Let's have a look at this, then," he demanded, prying it from boy, he was not the most literate of men, but he could tell the message was in fact intended for his master.

"Where did you get this!", he demanded of the scared boys, who blurted out....


-"From the garden!"

-- "From the ditch near the garden!"

- "Near the road!"

--"Not too near the road!"

- "It was from an Arab!"

-- "No, it wasn't, it was from an Afrikan!"

- "But he was dead!"

-- "Sure enough! Eyes puffed out and skinnier than a rod!"

- "I poked him with a stick, I did!"

-- "Poor bugger, looked like he'd starved away."

- "He sure smelled!"

-- "Oh yes he did!"


The butler again looked at the message in his hands. He read the first few Lines of the Letter and knew he should take to his Master right away.


(OOC: )

 

[HJ Tulp]

Herr Mantel rubbed his haggard, but hairless chin. He knew it would come to this all along. No matter, what was it to him if the non-existant government of "Lotharingia" lost a few sandy isles.

A hundred... never have my ears heard a more fair deal, your excellency. Time is of the essence, for I had said we would arrive in two months or there abouts. Now two months are past and any more delay will bring ruin to the cause. I wll leave it to your capable scribe to write up a contract while I prepare my men for their first blood. I have spoken the true propose of our campaign to your excellency already.

My men will be ready to attack as soon as you deem it wise.

Hendrik smiled. Then he went silent for a few minutes while he wrote something on a piece of paper.

"I have taken the liberty of writing a treaty sir.


Gelran-Bavarian Treaty of Transport.

I. The Duchy of Gelre will provide transportation of 1,200 persons and their bagage to Eire.

II. The Duchy of Bavaria will pay 4,000 florins for the transportation.

III. The Duchy of Bavaria will, before the transportation, conquer the Burgundian Waddeneilanden and hand them over to the Duchy of Gelre.

IV. The Duchy of Gelre will also provide escort to the Narrow of Calais.

V. The Duchy of Bavaria intents only diplomacy in Eire.


[X] Hendrik van Egmondt

 

[HJ Tulp]

Estevão replies back​

"Well my lord there are other issues that also envolve trade and war that I need to discuss. As you know a cruzade in Africa is happening. Well right now His majesty João II need man and money to invade destroy the last strong hold in Iberia and then Go foward to Africa. For that he sent me also, besides of see your cornoation, to ask for the Help of your Grace." Estevão smiles and waiting for anything

Jan smiled,

"But offcourse, changing the Reconquesta into a Conquesta. It would be unbecoming for Gelre not to support this. I would gladly task a hunderd of my nobles to aid you in your rightfull conquest as well as a tenthousand Imperial Ducats. However....there is a price."

 

[I Killed Kenny]

Jan smiled,

"But offcourse, changing the Reconquesta into a Conquesta. It would be unbecoming for Gelre not to support this. I would gladly task a hunderd of my nobles to aid you in your rightfull conquest as well as a tenthousand Imperial Ducats. However....there is a price."

Estevão was suprised by the Duke's reaction, "What could the duke want?" Estevão thought to himself. He was afraid of what that prince could ask, the gelrens where known for their un-natural ambision...​

"A price? What price would be? What price could be bigger than beeing a pious cruzader duke?" said Estevão in a suprised voice raising his eyebrow

 

[Elias Tarfarius]

Gelran-Bavarian Treaty of Transport.

I. The Duchy of Gelre will provide transportation of 1,200 persons and their bagage to Eire.

II. The Duchy of Bavaria will pay 4,000 florins for the transportation.

III. The Duchy of Bavaria will, before the transportation, conquer the Burgundian Waddeneilanden and hand them over to the Duchy of Gelre.

IV. The Duchy of Gelre will also provide escort to the Narrow of Calais.

V. The Duchy of Bavaria intents only diplomacy in Eire.

[X] Hendrik van Egmondt

Herr Mantel almost let a laugh out when he read the word diplomacy in the treaty. He was sure that Hendrik had not fallen for his flimsy talk of a mission of peace. Mantel also found his blatant mention of the use of the Bavarian party to take Burgundian land amusing to say the least. Yet, it was a quick ticket to Ireland and that is all that mattered.

This is a most kind gesture on your part, your Grace, and the Duchess Elisabeth will not forget your aid to our endevour. You are most charitible in comparison to your brethern in the south, such as in Antwerp, who would not even give us the time of day. The taking of the aforementioned lands will begin as soon as I have returned to my men and made them ready. We attack at dawn, your Grace. *stoops to sign the treaty*

[x] Herr Tobias Mantel, Grand Emmissary of her Grace, Elisabeth von Wittlesbach, Regent of Bavaria, unto the High King of Ireland and the Western Isles and unto the King of Tir Eoghain

Good day and send my best wishes to Duke Jan. *bows and exits*

The old man excitedly marched out of the house, taking in the seaside air and smelling in it many victories to come. "There can be no stopping us now. VICTORY SHALL BE MINE!" thought Mantel as he mounted his horse and started to ride back. It was only a matter of time now.

 

[HJ Tulp]

Estevão was suprised by the Duke's reaction, "What could the duke want?" Estevão thought to himself. He was afraid of what that prince could ask, the gelrens where known for their un-natural ambision...​

"A price? What price would be? What price could be bigger than beeing a pious cruzader duke?" said Estevão in a suprised voice raising his eyebrow

Quite some time ago.....


"Well you see your Grace, several influential merchanthouses had good contacts with the rulers of Fez, they would become the sole importers of goods from Fez to Northern Europe. However because of the Crusade that isn't a possibility. So I would like to build a tradingpost in Fez once you have finished your Crusade. What do you think?"

 

[I Killed Kenny]

Quite some time ago.....


"Well you see your Grace, several influential merchanthouses had good contacts with the rulers of Fez, they would become the sole importers of goods from Fez to Northern Europe. However because of the Crusade that isn't a possibility. So I would like to build a tradingpost in Fez once you have finished your Crusade. What do you think?"

Estevão speaks​

"Your grace, I may not promise a Trading Post in Fez, for any other Place in Africa, but if we conquer any place like Tangiers your grace shall have such position but if we conquer Fez, if that continues to be the first choice of your grace your grace shall have such trading post. I now ask when will the Gelrian soldiers go Portugal? and how many?"

 

[HJ Tulp]

Jan nodded, it was good enough to secure the mercantile factions in the Raed van State.

"I will immediately dispatch a hunderd knights and man-at-arms. Maybe if you promise them a chance to gain some loot then I think I can raise a group of footsoldiers as well. I wish I could raise mroe forces but the situation in Burgundy forces us not to."

 

[I Killed Kenny]

Jan nodded, it was good enough to secure the mercantile factions in the Raed van State.

"I will immediately dispatch a hunderd knights and man-at-arms. Maybe if you promise them a chance to gain some loot then I think I can raise a group of footsoldiers as well. I wish I could raise mroe forces but the situation in Burgundy forces us not to."

Estevão replies one last time​

"Your grace they will loot whatever they can, within the acceptable limits of cource, but those knights can loot as much as the Portuguese knights!" he nods one more time.

 

[HJ Tulp]

The next day the coronation was held, done by the fat Bishop of Utrecht.


[OOC: I'll write a better post later this week but atm I'm swamped with work sorry ]

 

[von Streusser]

EVENT

Attack on the Burgundian Waddeneilanden

​

The Duchy of Gelre has always held claims on the Burgundian owned Low Countries, but has rarely had the means to carry out its desire to join them to their lands. So when the offer of Herr Tobias Mantel to use his Bavarian troops as part of their payment for a passage to Ireland give came, the new Duke and his brother, Hendrik, dared not pass up such an opportunity. The Bavarians have been commissioned to attack islands in the Waddenzee that belong to the Duke of Holland and Zeeland, Jan von Bayern. This will enable the Gelrians to protect their shipping lanes and aid a possible blockade against their southern adversaries, the League of Arras. Hendrik von Egmond has predicted the action will only take five days and Heinrich von Danuben has chosen 200 of the knights, 100 of the crossbowmen, and all of the gunners, armed with a few hand-cannons and the expedition’s two bombards, for the attack. It is reported that only 100 men defend the isles.

MODIFIERS:
Bavaria spends 1 landmil to trigger

TABLE:

1. Disastrous failure! The island garrisons are much larger than anticipated, and the army is cut down like sheep at the slaughter. Both Bavarian and Gelrian involvement is uncovered.
(-1 tech, -1 morale to Gelre for 1 year/4 turns), Burgundy gains a Casus Belli against Bavaria and Gelre

2. Not disastrous, but failure nonetheless. Most of the expedition is killed, and the remainder is driven off. Instead of returning, they move on to take up lives of piracy and brigandry. Bavarian involvement is uncovered, and the attack is pinned quite solidly on the Gelrians.
(-1 morale to Gelre for 1 year/4 turns), Burgundy gains a Casus Belli against Bavaria and Gelre

3. Well, shame it didn't work out. The attack is driven off quickly, and the Bavarian forces return to their master with a shrug. Bavarian involvement is NOT uncovered. However, someone forgot to remove the Gelrian flags from the ships used, and the Burgundians are not pleased with their neighbor's conduct...
Burgundy gains a Casus Belli against Gelre

4. The attack is driven off quickly, and the Bavarian host returns. Neither Bavarian nor Gelrian involvement is detected, and the Burgundians are left with no leads as to what sort of well-organized pirates attacked them. Some soldiers on the scene assume that it was simply more rebels.
(no effect)

5. Success! The garrison is small and not ready for the attack, though they rally and fight well inflicting a number of casualties. Despite the losses though, the Bavarians seize the islands for Gelre. Bavarian involvement is NOT uncovered.
(+1 morale to Gelre for 1 year/4 turns), Burgundy gains a Casus Belli on Gelre until the islands are returned

6. Quite possibly the most brilliant amphibious assault in history! The Bavarians overwhelm the Burgundians with only nominal casualties, and the Gelrian flag now flies over the islands. No Burgundians escape. Bavarian involvement is NOT uncovered.
(+1 tech, +1 morale to Gelre for 1 year/4 turns), Burgundy gains a Casus Belli on Gelre until the islands are returned.

ROLL: 5

RESULT: Success! The garrison is small and not ready for the attack, though they rally and fight well inflicting a number of casualties. Despite the losses though, the Bavarians seize the islands for Gelre. Bavarian involvement is NOT uncovered.
(+1 morale to Gelre for 1 year/4 turns), Burgundy gains a Casus Belli on Gelre until the islands are returned, the Waddeneilanden belong to Gelre for RP and Flavor purposes only.
Bavaria spends 1 landmil

Note: The islands are too small to represent a province, and as such any sort of territorial gain in this event is Flavor and RP Only. The Mechanical Owner of the islands before the attack is Burgundy.

 

[Bagricula]

A second bull arrives bearing the heavy red seal of the Holy See, summoning all the bishops of Christendom to an ecumenical council in Monte Cassino. In both Greek and Latin it reads thus:

"Pastores Grecum, Espicati Ecclesiae, et Socii Servi Dei,

"And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me." Today my brothers, your Church calls you yet again to fulfill your vows and sit in a congress blessed by the wisdom of the Holy Ghost. Tarry no longer on worldly matters. Although, the cares of your homeland press against the confines of your mind and batter your spirit, remember the words of Our Lord, "But Jesus told him, 'Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.'" Without the salvation of Christ, all the world is condemned to the death of eternal separation from the Most High.

Failure a second time will result in just and proper penalties according to the forms and will be considered in the revisions of the Collegium Cardinales.

On the following topics, you are commanded to meditate during the journey to Monte Cassino where the Church now gathers to sit in council:

Primus - What steps must be taken now that victory has been won against the infidel Africans to bring the Word of God to the nascent Christian communities of Africa?

Secundus - What is the state of the Church in the many nations of Christendom?

Tertius - How may the Church of the West and the Church of the East be reunited in holy and sisterly communion as the true bride of Christ?

Quartus - What role should the Eastern Roman Empire, now de facto impotent, play in the new Kingdom of God? What should be done with the vacant Imperial mantle?

Quintus - What reforms necessitated by the new age we live in must be undertaken to renew the Church's mission of faith?

Sextus - What reforms must be made in the instruction of priests, in the discipline of the religious, in the education of the faithful?

Septimius - What should be done regarding the martial disputes of temporal powers? What can be done to prevent such disputes from arising?

After these seven questions have been addressed, the conclave will open to new business and general motions from the assembly. The Holy Father will conclude the conclave by confirming those worthy resolutions into the Canon of the Church.

Ad Maiorem Gloriam Dei, may this solemn bull be made the law on Earth as it is in Heaven, written in the Abbey of Monte Cassino a

Sanctissimus, Pope Nicholas V, Vicar of Christ, Papa Universalis, Summus Pontifex, Pontifex Maximus, Servus Servorum Dei, Patriarch of the West, Primate of Italy, Metropolitan of the Roman Province, and Bishop of Rome"

 

[cccino]

A letter arrives by courier, non-urgency implied by the rider's bearing.

Onto Willem van Egmond, Duke of Gelre, Count of Zutphen and lord of Egmond,

It is a mission of mine to seek greater association fellow Princes of the empire. The House of Cilli has not been acquainted with the northern princes to any great extent, much to my sadness and the deficit of us both.

May I take this opportunity to provide an open invitation, should you find it convenient to at any time pass through or stay in lands under my control, to meet and discuss issues of importance or not, in friendship it will be a pleasure and an honour to accomodate you as you require.


By his own hand,

Ulrich II von Cilli, Duke of Carinthia, Margrave of Carniola and the Windish March, Princely Count of Celje, Ortenburg, and Sternberg, Ban of Croatia and Slavonia, Lord of the Kingdom of Bosnia, Lord of the Slovenes, Lord of the Petovian and Savinian Marches.

 

[unmerged(7849)]

A letter arives from Denmark,

Onto Willem van Egmond, Duke of Gelre,

I do not know if you thought that those in Denmark have forgotten about your illegal occupation of Iceland, but I will tell you we have not. And now, more than ever, I and my government seek to rectify the wrong deeds and treaty breaking that have been done against this Kingdom. You have proven to be a man with no honor by refusing to uphold this treaty, so I feel no problems threatening you with military force.

I however, am a man with honor, and I at least believe in forgiveness. I therefore would like to peacefully offer you the chance once again to return Iceland to the Crown of Denmark. If you do this then hopefully we might be able to move past this impasse and improve relations.

written by his own hand in Copenhagen,
Peter Gjedde, Chancellor of Denmark, Regent for her majesty Eleanore de Berrie, Queen of Denmark​