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Crusader Kings III Available Now!
The realm rejoices as Paradox Interactive announces the launch of Crusader Kings III, the latest entry in the publisher’s grand strategy role-playing game franchise. Advisors may now jockey for positions of influence and adversaries should save their schemes for another day, because on this day Crusader Kings III can be purchased on Steam, the Paradox Store, and other major online retailers.
Lands of His Grace
Realm: Orléans
Head of State: Louis d'Orléans
Player: Blinky
Religion: Catholic - Avignon
Culture: French
Stats: 2/0/9/10(11)/2 --> [2/0/9/11/2]
Provinces: 2
Ports: 0
Owned: Orléans(4), Blois(3).
+1 Morale Vassal of France
Orléans
A city on the Loire, in north-central France. The site of the Roman market town of Aurelianum, it has long associated with the royal family. It was the largest and most important city in France after Paris during the early Middle Ages.
Blois
A county in north-central France, south of Paris. Within its domain was Chartres, site of perhaps the finest Gothic cathedral ever built.
Realm: Orléans
Head of State: Louis d'Orléans
Player: Blinky
Religion: Catholic - Avignon
Culture: French
Stats: 2/0/9/10(11)/2 --> [2/0/9/11/2]
Provinces: 2
Ports: 0
Owned: Orléans(4), Blois(3).
+1 Morale Vassal of France
Orléans
A city on the Loire, in north-central France. The site of the Roman market town of Aurelianum, it has long associated with the royal family. It was the largest and most important city in France after Paris during the early Middle Ages.
Blois
A county in north-central France, south of Paris. Within its domain was Chartres, site of perhaps the finest Gothic cathedral ever built.
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Nobles and Courtiers
Louis d'Orléans
(1371-present)
Duc d'Orleans
Comte de Blois
Comte de Dunois
Brother to King Charles of France, Louis gained the titles of Orléans and Valois through His Majesty's favor. Using his newfound prestige and growing closer to being of age, Louis intends to pursue a loyal relationship with the crown. Many state that Louis is going to become the primary advisor to the king.
On horseback armed with lance and sword, Louis is an accomplished young nobleman. Louis favors jousting and hunting as his primary forms of recreation.
In administering his lands, Louis relies upon his wards of clergy and merchants to handle the books for mundane matters while taking the task of defending the lands and serving the crown into personal attention.
On matters of Church, Louis honors the required feast days, but leaves the finer subtleties of the queen of sciences, theology, to the clergy. Louis' instructors have taught Louis the importance of not falling into the primary sins of pride and avarice, to which Louis ascribes to the errors of Rome.
As yet, Louis is not promised to any lady but his servants are going abroad to secure matimonial alliance with a state worthy of the king's brother.
Monsieur Namont
1355-present
Regent of Louis I
Knighted personally by King Charles V, His Majesty personally selected M. Namont to oversee Louis until he is of age. M. Namont believes in the superiority of the nobility as it is reflected in Christ's Kingdom. M. Namont sees to all legal matters of His Grace by not only handling the affair with personal attention but by including His Grace in all conversations with councils and petitioners. By doing so, M. Namont hopes to instill the royal authority within Louis so that His Grace may take a righteous and Godly position in regards to France. Perhaps more importantly, M. Namont instructs His Grace on the arts of war and codes of chivalry. M. Namot firmly believes in the strength of heavy cavalry sweeping the field of all enemies. In all, M. Namont sees to His Grace's needs and instruction heartily and loyally to the crown.
M. Namont is currently unmarried, his first wife dying during childbirth.
Charlotte
Daughter of M. Mamot
1482-present
A small girl, nothing of consequence as of yet. Perhaps she may be betrothed to a minor noble.
Louis d'Orléans
(1371-present)
Duc d'Orleans
Comte de Blois
Comte de Dunois
Brother to King Charles of France, Louis gained the titles of Orléans and Valois through His Majesty's favor. Using his newfound prestige and growing closer to being of age, Louis intends to pursue a loyal relationship with the crown. Many state that Louis is going to become the primary advisor to the king.
On horseback armed with lance and sword, Louis is an accomplished young nobleman. Louis favors jousting and hunting as his primary forms of recreation.
In administering his lands, Louis relies upon his wards of clergy and merchants to handle the books for mundane matters while taking the task of defending the lands and serving the crown into personal attention.
On matters of Church, Louis honors the required feast days, but leaves the finer subtleties of the queen of sciences, theology, to the clergy. Louis' instructors have taught Louis the importance of not falling into the primary sins of pride and avarice, to which Louis ascribes to the errors of Rome.
As yet, Louis is not promised to any lady but his servants are going abroad to secure matimonial alliance with a state worthy of the king's brother.
Monsieur Namont
1355-present
Regent of Louis I
Knighted personally by King Charles V, His Majesty personally selected M. Namont to oversee Louis until he is of age. M. Namont believes in the superiority of the nobility as it is reflected in Christ's Kingdom. M. Namont sees to all legal matters of His Grace by not only handling the affair with personal attention but by including His Grace in all conversations with councils and petitioners. By doing so, M. Namont hopes to instill the royal authority within Louis so that His Grace may take a righteous and Godly position in regards to France. Perhaps more importantly, M. Namont instructs His Grace on the arts of war and codes of chivalry. M. Namot firmly believes in the strength of heavy cavalry sweeping the field of all enemies. In all, M. Namont sees to His Grace's needs and instruction heartily and loyally to the crown.
M. Namont is currently unmarried, his first wife dying during childbirth.
Charlotte
Daughter of M. Mamot
1482-present
A small girl, nothing of consequence as of yet. Perhaps she may be betrothed to a minor noble.
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Cathedrals and Monasteries - The Church
-Christ's blessing at the Chartres Cathedral
-Christ's blessing at the Chartres Cathedral
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History of the Realm and His Grace:
Receiving the blessing of His Majesty, Louis arrives in Orléans in 1384. Still a young man, he continues his schooling and tilting practice until he becomes of age to rule in his own name.
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His Grace's guardians have commanded that the doors to the court be opened to petitioners and those of noble birth.
A boy, still a teenager and young to many of those around him, pants heavily wielding a wooden sword and shield. A man, holding similar implements, stands opposite the boy stands ready for the attack whilst the boy can barely keep the shield up.
"Your Grace, it is your attack."
The two always practiced their skills together in the morning and afternoon. Despite the dropping temperatures outside, the practice was still held outside in a nearby meadow. The air was crisp and a brief breeze rose up from the north occassionally. Still, the boy's face shined a bright red and glistened from perspiration. He raised his head slightly to speak.
"Monsieur," The boy lowered his gaze again and reached up to wipe the sweat off his brow. The boy, Duke Louis and brother to King Charles VI, struggled to carry on the ceaseless sparring necessary of squires in addition to the endless stream of merchants, peasants, and vassals wanting something, just about anything. The man, sensing the boy's weariness, lowered his shield arm and began to close the distance between the two.
Seeing the opportunity presented, Louis jumped into action. Bringing both arms up for a successful strike, Louis bounded towards his regent and guardian. M. Mamont, suddenly on his guard, half brought up his shield but instead deftly sidestepped the charging boy. With the flat of his sword, M. Mamont slapped the duke's back with stinging cry echoing out the boy's throat.
The boy fell to ground. Both sword and shield were dropped and Louis struggled to relieve the welt on his back at the same time culling the moisture at the base of his eyes. The boy rolled around to face his elder, half-kneeling. His eyes spoke of rage and one recalls many such looks from boys his age.
"Monsieur, it is a crime to strike your superiors."
M. Mamont walked calmly back to the boy and offered his hand to pick the boy up from the ground onto his feet. Louis refused and grunted his back upright then cocked his head back again to look into the eyes of M. Mamont. The older man and knight of France spoke.
"Your Grace should know better than to surprise an unready foe. God in Heaven saw to it that your deceit was not rewarded. Remember that the next time you believe an advantage is to be had by acting sinisterly."
The two had begun to walk back toward the castle where they kept court. The two stayed silent, yet one was more brooding than the other. Finally, the boy spoke again, tone of voice light and to the point as if no slight or injury had been done.
"Any word from my brother, Monsieur?"
"None, Your Grace. Do you wish to visit Paris and see him personally?"
"No...is there anything else that we are to do during the winter."
"We write, Your Grace. France has enemies but allies, too. Should any marching be done when the snow melts, it is best that you are in line with Church and your peers. And it best be that those peers be favored to the cause of France as the defender of Church. Your Grace need not be alone in these matters. I have prepared a letter for Your Grace to the Kingdom of Castille-Leon should you choose to look over it. It can be sent without delay once Your Grace's seal lies upon the missive."
Louis appeared to be thinking about this some as the two made their way past the outer walls of Orléans with peasants already bowing and clearing a path for the two nobles.
"Very well, Monsieur. We shall look over this letter."
"Very good, Your Grace."
"Your Grace, it is your attack."
The two always practiced their skills together in the morning and afternoon. Despite the dropping temperatures outside, the practice was still held outside in a nearby meadow. The air was crisp and a brief breeze rose up from the north occassionally. Still, the boy's face shined a bright red and glistened from perspiration. He raised his head slightly to speak.
"Monsieur," The boy lowered his gaze again and reached up to wipe the sweat off his brow. The boy, Duke Louis and brother to King Charles VI, struggled to carry on the ceaseless sparring necessary of squires in addition to the endless stream of merchants, peasants, and vassals wanting something, just about anything. The man, sensing the boy's weariness, lowered his shield arm and began to close the distance between the two.
Seeing the opportunity presented, Louis jumped into action. Bringing both arms up for a successful strike, Louis bounded towards his regent and guardian. M. Mamont, suddenly on his guard, half brought up his shield but instead deftly sidestepped the charging boy. With the flat of his sword, M. Mamont slapped the duke's back with stinging cry echoing out the boy's throat.
The boy fell to ground. Both sword and shield were dropped and Louis struggled to relieve the welt on his back at the same time culling the moisture at the base of his eyes. The boy rolled around to face his elder, half-kneeling. His eyes spoke of rage and one recalls many such looks from boys his age.
"Monsieur, it is a crime to strike your superiors."
M. Mamont walked calmly back to the boy and offered his hand to pick the boy up from the ground onto his feet. Louis refused and grunted his back upright then cocked his head back again to look into the eyes of M. Mamont. The older man and knight of France spoke.
"Your Grace should know better than to surprise an unready foe. God in Heaven saw to it that your deceit was not rewarded. Remember that the next time you believe an advantage is to be had by acting sinisterly."
The two had begun to walk back toward the castle where they kept court. The two stayed silent, yet one was more brooding than the other. Finally, the boy spoke again, tone of voice light and to the point as if no slight or injury had been done.
"Any word from my brother, Monsieur?"
"None, Your Grace. Do you wish to visit Paris and see him personally?"
"No...is there anything else that we are to do during the winter."
"We write, Your Grace. France has enemies but allies, too. Should any marching be done when the snow melts, it is best that you are in line with Church and your peers. And it best be that those peers be favored to the cause of France as the defender of Church. Your Grace need not be alone in these matters. I have prepared a letter for Your Grace to the Kingdom of Castille-Leon should you choose to look over it. It can be sent without delay once Your Grace's seal lies upon the missive."
Louis appeared to be thinking about this some as the two made their way past the outer walls of Orléans with peasants already bowing and clearing a path for the two nobles.
"Very well, Monsieur. We shall look over this letter."
"Very good, Your Grace."
"My Lord, it is your mark." A faint whisper through the trees.
A deer walks between the myriads of trees, a bubbling brook sounding its song somewhere in the distance. Halting for a moment, the animal perks its ears in the air turning its nose directly towards a hidden prince. Silence rules the forest save for the running river.
A teenaged boy holds a bow and arrow only half ready. An older man crouches beside the boy as if he were a wound spring ready for action. Drawing slowly the boy continues to pull his string.
The deer unaware of the possible danger to its life held its ground locking its eyes with those of a young nobleman shrouded in brush. A slight stretch of bending wood cracks the still air.
Beginning its flight for safety, the deer leans down on its forelegs. A soon to be frustrated boy releases his hold on the flight. The lad knows it is over in less than a second yet each motion of the escaping deer become painfully clear to a mind witnessing time slowly passing by. As he guessed, the deer bounded away with barely an effort while the arrow barely even struck the ground where the creature once stood.
The hunt over, or at least stalled, the older knight rose to his knees. The two stood staring at the small clearing where their prey once graced their sight.
"What lesson do you have for me now?"
The two didn't meet eyes, but continued to stare at the forest trees before them.
"Nothing Your Grace doesn't already understand."
"Can we go, then?" Impatiently said.
"No, Your Grace."
"Why not?"
"Your Grace must begin to learn of the tactics of his enemies and apply his wisdom to best them." Monsieur Mamont finally turned and looked down at the boy who refused to look back.
"Why did Your Grace fail to strike the deer?"
"Because God willed it." It was half-hearted at best.
"True, God wills all creation, but He also sees to each creation's nature. The nature of the deer is to avoid hunters, yes? Now, the nature of a nobleman, what might that be?"
The boy looked up at his guardian a little uncertain though in answering.
"To rule?"
"That is right, Your Grace. To rule, a nobleman must do more than be a slayer of beasts and winner of lady's hands. He must protect and guide his subjects as Christ protects us all from sin."
The boy looked back down at the ground and nodded slightly as he thought over this latest piece of information. M. Mamont, charged with the upbringing of Duke Louis of Orleans, continued a rigorous course of stdy for the young prince from the field of battle to the art of ruling. Before the young boy could say anything else, a horn sounded and cries of men danced through the air in jubilation.
M. Mamont turned his head to the noise. "It seems the court shall eat meat tonight. Well done, Your Grace. Your hunt has succeeded."
A deer walks between the myriads of trees, a bubbling brook sounding its song somewhere in the distance. Halting for a moment, the animal perks its ears in the air turning its nose directly towards a hidden prince. Silence rules the forest save for the running river.
A teenaged boy holds a bow and arrow only half ready. An older man crouches beside the boy as if he were a wound spring ready for action. Drawing slowly the boy continues to pull his string.
The deer unaware of the possible danger to its life held its ground locking its eyes with those of a young nobleman shrouded in brush. A slight stretch of bending wood cracks the still air.
Beginning its flight for safety, the deer leans down on its forelegs. A soon to be frustrated boy releases his hold on the flight. The lad knows it is over in less than a second yet each motion of the escaping deer become painfully clear to a mind witnessing time slowly passing by. As he guessed, the deer bounded away with barely an effort while the arrow barely even struck the ground where the creature once stood.
The hunt over, or at least stalled, the older knight rose to his knees. The two stood staring at the small clearing where their prey once graced their sight.
"What lesson do you have for me now?"
The two didn't meet eyes, but continued to stare at the forest trees before them.
"Nothing Your Grace doesn't already understand."
"Can we go, then?" Impatiently said.
"No, Your Grace."
"Why not?"
"Your Grace must begin to learn of the tactics of his enemies and apply his wisdom to best them." Monsieur Mamont finally turned and looked down at the boy who refused to look back.
"Why did Your Grace fail to strike the deer?"
"Because God willed it." It was half-hearted at best.
"True, God wills all creation, but He also sees to each creation's nature. The nature of the deer is to avoid hunters, yes? Now, the nature of a nobleman, what might that be?"
The boy looked up at his guardian a little uncertain though in answering.
"To rule?"
"That is right, Your Grace. To rule, a nobleman must do more than be a slayer of beasts and winner of lady's hands. He must protect and guide his subjects as Christ protects us all from sin."
The boy looked back down at the ground and nodded slightly as he thought over this latest piece of information. M. Mamont, charged with the upbringing of Duke Louis of Orleans, continued a rigorous course of stdy for the young prince from the field of battle to the art of ruling. Before the young boy could say anything else, a horn sounded and cries of men danced through the air in jubilation.
M. Mamont turned his head to the noise. "It seems the court shall eat meat tonight. Well done, Your Grace. Your hunt has succeeded."
Kicking up a small cloud of dust, a white oak carriage bearing the yellow and red arms of the Duc de Lorraine arrives in the outer courtyard of the palace of the Duc d'Orléans. Lothringen footmen leap into action, though their leg muscles are sore from the long bumpy ride. From the carriage an elderly man garbed in white and green emerges. Supporting himself with a gnarled yew cane, he is greeted by the chamberlain.
"Please send word to Monsieur Mamont that the Comte de Montluzin comes to visit from Lorraine to discuss a union between the Houses of Valois and Ardennes and the defense and future of France."
"Please send word to Monsieur Mamont that the Comte de Montluzin comes to visit from Lorraine to discuss a union between the Houses of Valois and Ardennes and the defense and future of France."
"My lords and ladies, Comte de Montluzin!" Stepping aside, the chamberlain presents the elderly man upon on his cane.
In the center of the hall, a raised dais seats a boy, not quite yet a man by the look of him. Standing beside the platform, a gentleman in his 30's by the look of it. The boy speaks, his voice still a little high from youth.
"Come forward, Comte. We are pleased at your arrival and entreat you to stay awhile and bear news of your lord and master." the lad stops and looks over at his guardian who promptly takes over the conversation.
"I am Monsier Mamont, guardian of His Grace, Louis d'Orléans. His Grace desires much good between our lands and that your presence here is indictative of your lord's good will. Naturally, such good tidings will bear well upon the whole of France.
Come, what news or missive do you bear?"
In the center of the hall, a raised dais seats a boy, not quite yet a man by the look of him. Standing beside the platform, a gentleman in his 30's by the look of it. The boy speaks, his voice still a little high from youth.
"Come forward, Comte. We are pleased at your arrival and entreat you to stay awhile and bear news of your lord and master." the lad stops and looks over at his guardian who promptly takes over the conversation.
"I am Monsier Mamont, guardian of His Grace, Louis d'Orléans. His Grace desires much good between our lands and that your presence here is indictative of your lord's good will. Naturally, such good tidings will bear well upon the whole of France.
Come, what news or missive do you bear?"
The Comte de Montluzin walks slowly into the hall, reaching ten paces before the dais, he bows deeply, and replies:
"Your Royal Highness is most kind. I humbly accept your gracious offer of lodging. My master the Duc de Lorraine has sent me to bear his overture of friendship, as well as to discuss the future of our duchies and the Crown."
He directs his attention now to Monsieur Mamont, "Lorraine has often admired France, which now is truly the Queen of Christendom and most cherished daughter of the Church. We seek closer ties with her, and with yourselves the right hand of France herself.
To this end, I have been given full authority to negotiate a marriage contract and other alliances between the Duchy of Lorraine and the Duchy of Orleans. His Grace, Duc Jean d'Ardennes has only one daughter Isabelle, five years his lordship's junior, who is as beautiful as she is brilliant being fluent in many of the tongues of Christendom, a most auspicious match for the brother of the King.
Lorraine herself possesses claims on vast swathes of Imperial land along the French border and is bound by marriage with the Kingdom of Portugal. Duc Jean's second son Frederic being wed to the only child of King Fernando Beatiz, Infanta of Portugal. Additionally, we have access to the rich Rhine valley and thus to the markets of Lower Lorraine. The growth of trade between our duchies could prove beneficial for both."
"Your Royal Highness is most kind. I humbly accept your gracious offer of lodging. My master the Duc de Lorraine has sent me to bear his overture of friendship, as well as to discuss the future of our duchies and the Crown."
He directs his attention now to Monsieur Mamont, "Lorraine has often admired France, which now is truly the Queen of Christendom and most cherished daughter of the Church. We seek closer ties with her, and with yourselves the right hand of France herself.
To this end, I have been given full authority to negotiate a marriage contract and other alliances between the Duchy of Lorraine and the Duchy of Orleans. His Grace, Duc Jean d'Ardennes has only one daughter Isabelle, five years his lordship's junior, who is as beautiful as she is brilliant being fluent in many of the tongues of Christendom, a most auspicious match for the brother of the King.
Lorraine herself possesses claims on vast swathes of Imperial land along the French border and is bound by marriage with the Kingdom of Portugal. Duc Jean's second son Frederic being wed to the only child of King Fernando Beatiz, Infanta of Portugal. Additionally, we have access to the rich Rhine valley and thus to the markets of Lower Lorraine. The growth of trade between our duchies could prove beneficial for both."
M. Mamont's lips curled up slightly on one side of his face. He takes a brief breath and begins to speak once again.
"Comte de Montluzin, you honor His Grace's household and thus France herself. I must do well to say that your proposal would be a fine match," Monsieur Mamont pauses briefly to let his last statement hang in the air tantalizingly, "Let us discuss more of your proposals over the course of a feast. I'm sure there are many details to be worked over before the arrangement can be set down."
M. Mamont turns his head slightly towards Louis d'Orléans and inquires, "Would not Your Grace agree?"
Louis' eyes shifted back and forth from the Lorraine noble to his guardian who so nonchalantly bargained his marriage prospects in front of the court. Before he has anything to say, M. Mamont turns back to the Comte.
"His Grace would be delighted. His Grace shall arrange for a stay and residence for a nobleman of your station. A servant shall arrive to announce the dinner at the proper hour.
Shall all this be acceptable to the Comte?"
"Comte de Montluzin, you honor His Grace's household and thus France herself. I must do well to say that your proposal would be a fine match," Monsieur Mamont pauses briefly to let his last statement hang in the air tantalizingly, "Let us discuss more of your proposals over the course of a feast. I'm sure there are many details to be worked over before the arrangement can be set down."
M. Mamont turns his head slightly towards Louis d'Orléans and inquires, "Would not Your Grace agree?"
Louis' eyes shifted back and forth from the Lorraine noble to his guardian who so nonchalantly bargained his marriage prospects in front of the court. Before he has anything to say, M. Mamont turns back to the Comte.
"His Grace would be delighted. His Grace shall arrange for a stay and residence for a nobleman of your station. A servant shall arrive to announce the dinner at the proper hour.
Shall all this be acceptable to the Comte?"
The Comte de Montluzin bows, replying, "The hospitality of Orleans exceed even his own reputation. I would be honored to stay as His Grace's guest."
STOP! COOKIE TIME