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Lordship's court of Milan

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Iván Szôlôsy shook his head sadly.

"Yes it is rather sad when merchants hold their suppliers and customers at swordpoint isn't it? Hardly a fair way to do business, not that I am much of a merchant myself. Ragusa I understand it wishes to avoid war at all cost, at least that is the impression we get from their ambassador."

Szôlôsy clasped his hand behind his back as he paced, thinking. "Hungary has no intention of actually attacking Venice. Quite the opposite, we wish to avoid that they attack us. The only way to accomplish this would be to make the price of them attacking so steep, so high, that it would be suicide for them to do so. A league of sorts perhaps, a defensive alliance aimed exclusively to put down Venice should they attack one of its members."

"If agression could be made so painfull for them, trading freely could also off course be done without fear of reprisals. Then it would be possible to actually choose who to trade with. Stopping them completely? Well, that would require much more than containing them and stopping them from attacking. Venice itself is after all on an island and has perhaps the greatest fortifications in the world."

"But perhaps Your Lordship has other ideas on how to contain them?"
 
Leonetto, having heard pieces and bits of what had been said, was taken by surprise, but swiftly changed into his cocky noble-self.

"Who are you to speak to me like this? This messy court of yours is but a huge maze, where nobles are assaulted! Could you please show me to the... facilities? That was what I was looking for... until you drew your sword at me" Leonetto played as insulted as he just could, and he was good at it.
 
In fair Milan, there arrived a coach, escorted by riders who bore the fleur-de-lys of France. Completely unsurprisingly to those in the courtyard of the City Palace, the occupant, once he was helped from his marriage, proved to be a Frenchman.

"I am Guy, comte of Blois-Chatillon. I pray you, inform your masters of my arrival, and inquire to them as to me, an envoy of France, so that I may know if I am welcome here. I desire to represent my sovereign, the King, to the city of St. Ambrose and her rulers, and to acquire some lodging herein."
 
Guard Captain Corzia did a step back and gasped. "My... Lord... I mean, Lord d'Antavilla! I... I am... I am so very sorry! I failed to arrive sooner to escort you to more apropriate facilities... and we though a spy was earsdropping on my Lord. He is in a meeting...". Corzia stopped talking as his brains worked at full speed to figure how to work himself our of this, but he concluded with "Please, my lord, accept my apologies and allow me to escort you. You should know Lord Barnabò takes high precautions against spies... other people might say he's paranoid, but that doesn't mean nobody is out to get him".

Corzia quickly signalled two of his guards. "Escort Lord d'Antavilla away from here", he whispered. "Not a word about this and I will make sure you will get payed double this week". The guards nodded and they took care of Leonetto d'Altavilla, as Captain Corzia and two other guards made sure nobody was around. Though he ordered his guards not to mention this incident, Corzia had second thoughts, and reasoned it wouldn't hurt if he informed his lord when the meeting finished.

--------------------

"Master Szôlôsy, I once again state that we do not benefit from war. I wish to stay in peace unless there is no other way. Also, with the knowledge that neither Hungary, Ragusa or Milan could defeat the powerful Venecian republic, keeping it on a leash would be the only possible way. So in that case, I must admit I find your idea of creating a defensive league very promising".

If Venice's power could be leashed, it would open opportunities regarding Ragusa's trading route... and then there was Giovanni Borri ofcourse, who was send to Venice to lobby for greater Milanese trading influences. If Venice's power could be contained, Milanese traders could dominate the Po valley, and export without the involvement of Venice. "Master Szôlôsy, the son of a ally of mine was send to Venice to ask the doge for granting Milanese merchants to trade in Milan. If the doge allows this, Milanese merchants could pass the Venecians, and allows then to trade directly with cities like Ragusa. If Venice loses power over Milan, it loses quite some money, as the Po area markets provide quite a bit of profit. Yet again, I wonder if Venice allows this, and how eagered it is to raise arms..."

----------------

Two palace guards escorted Guy de Blois-Chatillon to the large audience hall, where Lord Barnabò Visconti was to recieve him. The French envoy was announced by the seneschal.

"Signeur de Blois-Chatillon, welcome in Milan", Lord Barnabò welcomed the new ambassador. "I shall grant you request, and proclaim you ambassador to the great King of France. As an ambassador you are allowed full the privilages and you shall be given lodging and servants if you wish". Lord Barnabò took a second to look at the man from head to toe, and he concluded that this man was unlike most envoys at the court. This man was French, and of proud standing, and he expressed that just nicely. "Sir, you should know that I prefer a good standing with France. My third daughter, Lucy, is engaged to Louis d'Anjou, duke of Orleans. as of such, I keep France in high regard, and as of such it's an honor to have you here at my court. Sir, is there anything you wish to discuss, or do you wish to make arrangement to establish your office?"
 
Szôlôsy nodded.

"In a hypothetical war to stop Venice once and for all, great naval power would be needed. The hungarian crown does have access to ships in Croatia, but obviously not enough to match the venetians. Calling on the fleet of Ragusa for any offensive action is obviously out of the question. No, containment is the better choice. Containment and peace."

"Perhaps we should sit down and formulate a formal treaty to that effect? If Your Lordship agrees I would be happy to make a draft. Perhaps a clause should be made to allow other realms into such a league too. Surely we are not the only ones that wish to contain Venice."
 
"I am most grateful to Your Excellency for demonstrating such kindness to me, and also to my liege in accepting me, his servant, as an ambassador to your court." Guy bowed, sincerely relieved to be in the court of a ruler in possession of true grace.

"I am hearted to hear that the friendship of France is valued by Your Excellency, for in Paris we have long pursued the friendship of Milan and other states we esteem, in the hopes that they would reciprocate our goodwill. I did not know of the engagement to the young Prince, but my surprise is entirely present. The young Louis, he will grow to be a fine man, possessing both the valor and grace that befits a lord. I would sincerely wish to meet your daughter, if Your Excellency would permit it, so that I may write Louis and tell him that Milan's fairest awaits him." Guy found himself smiling sincerely. He was more surprised by that than anything else, that he would smile at the news of another royal marriage with the innocent happiness of a proud relative.

He shook his mind from such thoughts and returned to the business at hand. "France has no agenda at the present besides extending ourselves to those we wish to have as friends. We have written the Emperor, asking that he not chastise those on the other side of this lamentable division of the Church, and hopefully he will respond positively. In Hungary there is a French envoy, and he intends to demonstrate the support of France for that kingdom, particularly in the face of Durazzo's aggression. For now, I would be more than content to see this fine city in all her splendor."
 
City Palace

“Master Szôlôsy, that would be wonderful idea”, Barnabò Visconti said. “I leave the draft of the treaty to you. Also, we should expand this treaty. Venice is forging alliances too, and together their sea power will be unsurpassed, so we need powerful participants as well”. Lord Barnabò ran though his mental list for a second. “Let’s see, inviting the Ragusians would be a logical step, as well as the Croatians and our own vassals, the Veronans. Maybe we should approach Genua, which is a natural rival of Venice, or another great power, like France or Aragon…” If a few powerful nations would back them – if only in a passive way – Venice should get to know they were serious. “The bigger the league, the costlier a war would be for Venice to wage, as it would then be a war on all sides…”

----------------------------

“Signeur, I would be delighted to show you around Milan, but I fear that my current schedule wouldn’t allow that. However, if you make arrangements with my secretary about your lodging, I promise you I will send a coach for you in the early evening, before supper. Also, if you wish, I will arrange that my daughter Lucy joins us. I am in fact positive that she is very curious about France and of course Louis”. Lord Barnabò Visconti took a short breath. “Signeur, you should also know that although Milan as declared loyalty to Rome, relations between our house and the papacy has always been sour at best. In case anybody in France wonders, no member of House Visconti would care to worry about this ‘schism’”.
 
Szôlôsy smiled.

"Croatia and Ragusa are both integral parts of the Kingdom of Hungary Your Lordship. They are both self governed areas, but still a part of the Kingdom. The obligations of Ragusa to the crown are small, but any declaration of war upon them is also an attack on the Kingdom as a whole. With Croatia this works both ways, even an attack on the crown proper is also and attack on Croatia. And vice versa off course. Indeed, what the venetians are mostly after is the Dalmatian coast, part of Croatia. I have a draft of a treaty here, perhaps Your Lordship would like to take a look at it?"



Treaty of Adreatic
Security and Stability​

In their wisdom the rules of Milan and Hungary are working to ensure peace and stability around the adriatic ocean, and then to contain the agressive power of Venice especially. In order to increase cooperation to reach this goal these articles are in effect between the signatories.

Article I: All signatories pledges to support each other in the event of a hostile attack by the Republic of Venice. If possible this aid shall be in the form of military forces.

Article II: If for some reason military aid is impossible, the signatories pledges to aid each other financially.

Article III: All realms that have signed this treaty grants each other right of passage. If this right is used the owner of the army in question shall pay reparations for any damages done to friendly territory marched through. This is to ensure that armies adhere to strict discipline while marching in friendly lands, looting is forbidden.

Article IV: In a common war each signer pledges to aid each other with supplies if nescessary.

Article V: More signatories can be added to this treaty if all the ones that have allready signed it agrees to include another member.​


"How does this look Your Lordship?"
 
The old knight Thennard de Menthon lead his horse slowly across the pass that had made his forefather so famous. He had been in Savoy, to Chambery, to pay his respects to the dying count of Savoy, and had received one final quest from his liege.

He therefore found himself, not returning to Menthon castle but slowly making his way through the Piedmont landscape towards the bustling metropolis of Milan. He left the fiefs of Savoy behind and crossed in to the Milanese domain only accompanied by a few servants and squires. He had lived an entire life fighting with or for Savoy, and did not fear a single robber as much as he feared not doing the right thing for his noble liege.

He slowly made his way through the rolling hillocks and foothills until he finally reached Milan, a good week after he had left Piedmont. He trotted slowly through the main gates and made his way to the palace gate, Leaning over from his horse he addressed a half sleeping guard,

“Please announce to you master that Thennard de Menthon, Seigneur de Menthon, Chevalier L'Ordre du Collier, is here to see him, I bring grave and important news from Chambery.”

He leaned back in the saddle and settled in for the long wait it would take this dull witted guard to reach his corporal, then the Captain of the guard and finally some minor court functionary, or if he was lucky a seneschal of sorts.
 
In Venice Giovanni Borri has yet to answer the Doge.

The Doge Awaits a Response in Venice said:
The Doge looked on respectfully as Giovanni gave his lengthy answer. He could not deny that there were advantages to "outsourcing" Venice's trade in Milan, but he, and certainly those around him were not capable of making any sort of decisions just yet.

"Giovanni Borri," the Doge began pensively, "There are many things to consider here, I would ask if you could draw up a proposal so that our discourse can be better focused." He paused and then continued for good measure, "I think that a deal can be made here, but it would be a matter of great import for both Milan and Venice, as such in duty to the Republic I must see that all areas of confusion or contention are accounted for." The Doge stood then, and as he did his assemly of councilors stepped forward to follow him, he spoke again to Giovanni remaining upon his dais,

"Take as much time as required to draft a proposal and present it to Nuncio Aletini, I and the council will consider it and you shall be called for another audience after that time."
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Nicoleto Vespucci
Captain and Envoy of the Duke of Siena​

A rider appears on the horizon of northern Lombardia, coming from Stryia. He bears a cape with the Arms of Siena on it, and he is indeed in somewhat of a rush.

Arriving at Milan, he seeks out the palace of infamous Visconti ruler. He bows at the entrance, dismounting and speaking,

"Hail from Siena! I am a representative of his grace the Duke of Siena, Gerardino da Lucari. I come bearing his representation in hopes that our two realms may find bonds and common friendships otherwise ignored as of late.

May I have the honor of audience with his grace of Milan?"

He stood, awaiting what kind of audience he hoped he might recieve.
 
A man identifies himself as a representative of Duke Albrecht of Bavaria and requests audience with the head of the Visconti House.
 
"John, King of Naples, Jerusalem, and Albania, Prince of Achaia, Durazzo and Taranto, et cetera, unto Bernabo Visconti, Grand Duke of Milan, etc, greetings.

In this times of great trouble and upheaval it is of the utmost importance for one to have allies of great influence and power. I write to you to propose an alliance between our Kingdom and your duchy, perhaps to be sealed by a royal marriage between our two lineages. Trade between our two nations would do much to enrich both of our coffers, and an alliance would ensure the continued independence of our beloved peninsula from outside powers. If this excites your interest, I will send unto your court a more agreeable envoy, than the one my somewhat misguided brother sent unto you previously.

By his own hand,
John, King of Naples"
 
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