Royal Court of England

[Longinus]

Zakrzycki smiles at the king well accustomed to such remarks, be bows slightly and replies.

“If Your Majesty allows, I would only like to straighten up one thing. House of Zakrzycki isn’t really Polish, we are Pommeranians by birth and blood. Old Pommeranian families are neither German nor Polish, we are Slavs but definitely not Poles. Pommeranians are the mixture of Germans and Slavs, not to mention Scandinavians and Lowlanders. We are, in fact, very cosmopolitan realm sire.

Anyway, back to the point, my family name is spelled like…”

He starts to slowly speak single syllables.

“Heinrich Zakrzycki herbu/coat of arms Wczele would be Zak-shi-tzkee her-boo Vtche-le”

He grins.

“Well, at least more or less, sire”

 

[HJ Tulp]

A letter arrives by courier,

To His Majesty King Edmund, Lord and King of England, France, Scotland, Wales, Aquitaine, and Ireland

Your Majesty, I would like to invite you or a representative of your Noble House to my coronation next month (Thuesday). This event will not only be a chance to strengthen the bond between our two nations but also to discuss the recent affairs in Burgundy.


Regent Jan van Egmondt, Heir to the Ducal Throne of Gelre

 

[unmerged(17303)]

Throne Room, Windsor Castle

The King was surprised.


"I see... So these stories I have been told since childhood about the brave Crusaders killing all of the pagan, ungodly Balts are false? If what you say is true, the native Pomeranians survived. Tragic. Well, My name isn't much easier should one wish to include titles. Tell me, have the Griffons given any indication as to their position on a dowery?"

The ever unique King's mood had changed to a more jovial one.

"The friendship and brotherhood of the crown is enough to offset any potential losses. My armies from Britannia alone could ensure Casimir an easy time in pacifying any resistance in Germania... That's not even including my armies from Hibernia or Gaul. With them, the Greif and York families would have a hard time finding people willing to oppose us."

It was becoming clear that Edmund was not very good at holding his liquor as he began to babble.

"I mean, for god's sake man, the German King is also King of Italy, and more importantly, of Rome. Even I can't claim that... But I do have a claim on a rather vast portion of Hispania. This modern Roman Empire could be worthy of its name for once should both of our families achieve the glory that we rightfully deserve."

 

[Longinus]

Zakrzycki smiles again and bows gently before the king.

“Your Majesty, these stories are as much correct as the stories about the carnages of pagan Celts, Angels and Normans

As for the dowry, I was indeed instructed to offer Your Majesty the title of Landgraf von Greifenhagen and all lands attached to it, a dowry worthy of the union of such magnitude. Not to mention the armies and support House of Gryphon can muster. Pommeranian Greifs are linked with such noble houses as Witellsbach, d’Anjous, Hohenzollerns, Kusters and di Savoia.

Now what Your Majesty has to say about that?

 

[unmerged(17303)]

Throne Room, Windsor Castle

The King's mood had changed once more.


"House of Anjou? You mean the Neapolitans? Ha. A mere puppet of his Valois cousin. The Kusters are rather important, as Calais is expected to be returned to English control."

 

[Longinus]

Zakrzycki replies to the king.

"Yes sire, the Neoplitanians, whereas they are the puppets of de Valois I have no idea, all I know is the fact that Prince Henry Gryphon enjoys wide influances in their court and Italy in general, he is after all brother-in-law to Queen of Lotharnigia."

 

[unmerged(17303)]

Throne Room, Windsor Castle

The King stood silent.


"Lotharingia has a Queen? I was certain that the recent royal family had died in civil unrest, and that Eleanore had abdicated several years ago to rule Denmark... Apparently my advisors have deceived me once again."

 

[Longinus]

Zkrzycki's face is emotionless now.

"Well, in this case I moght be wrong Your Majesty, perhaps your honourable advisors are right and I am wrong. My news from Burgundy are at least one month old and said that the Royal family was missing. I would love to speak with your advisors sire, if they have any news regarding the whole Burgundian rebellion, House of Gryphon would be much grateful for them.

As for "queen" Eleanore du Berry claim upon Danish crown, House of Gryphon does not recognise it, even Danish laws prohibits a woman to be elected and sit on the throne."

 

[unmerged(17303)]

Throne Room, Windsor Castle

The King's face became serious.


"If there is anything I do not tolerate in this world, it is those who choose to unlawfully usurp the rightful thrones and titles of others. Who do the Greif recognize as King of Denmark, then? A Wittelsbach? and Oldenburg? Or perhaps Casimir himself..."

 

[Longinus]

Zakrzycki nods.

"But of course, the rightful king of Denamrk is His Majesty Casmir Gryphon, King of Sweden, Duke of Pommerania, Hannover, Poznan etcetera.

It is good that Your Majesty hates the usurpers since we heard that one of them appeared in Burgundy, revolding against King Louis and his divine Majesty.

 

[unmerged(17303)]

Throne Room, Windsor Castle

Edmund nodded.


"Lotharingia is a tricky subject. The ruling dynasty has changed there several times within the past few years. Perhaps allowing Burgundy to become a Kingdom was a mistake, however I am happy to say England's position on the matter contributed nothing to the decision to permit this 'Lotharingian' monstrocity to exist. That responsibility falls on Rome, on Nuremberg, and on the Valois pretender."

 

[Longinus]

Zakrzycki replies.

"Indeed Your Majesty, indeed. That is now history however. Marie du Berry did great diplomatic job that time, feeding on the fears of all factions and using them against one another."

 

[unmerged(17303)]

Throne Room, Windsor Castle

Edmund smirked.


"True. It is rather unfortunate that the House of Berri no longer rules Burgundy. However, I recognize that the Burgundian problem needs a satisfactory solution. Hopefully such a solution will be reached, otherwise we may be forced to withdraw recognition of the Lotharingian state."

 

[Longinus]

Zakrzycki nodded.

"Well, assuming Anna Gryphon and most importanty her child Marie is dead, Burgundy would again be inherited by Elenore du Berry. However, if Marie lives, she is the rightful queen of Lotharnigia, bing the spawn of Louis du Berry and Anna Gryphon. Either way, it is true that we need satisfactory solution there, Empire cannot stand potentially dangerous, unstable behemoth on its borders, neither can Gual and England.

 

[unmerged(17303)]

Throne Room, Windsor Castle

Edmund arose and began pacing.


"Well, Gaul is already unable to stand. It is divided between the houses of Valois and York... But I digress, I see your point."

 

[Longinus]

Zakrzycki sighs.

"Well, we can only pray that Queen Anna and her children are alive.

But Majesty, we strayed away from the aim of my mission here. What says Your Majesty on the marriage and the union of the Houses?"

 

[unmerged(17303)]

Throne Room, Windsor Castle

Edmund sighed.


"I am fond of the idea. However, it is necessary to permit Parliament a voice in such a decision."

 

[unmerged(23474)]

Dublin, Province of Meath, English Lordship of Ireland

- A Good Laugh at Someone Else's Expense, Part III. -

Antaine rode throughout the night and reached Dublin in the early morning. He had to alter his course on multiple occasions when he thought he was being followed. Upon dismounting his horse outside of Dublin Castle he passed out momentarily. The guards either didn't notice or they didn't seem to care. Upon his reawakening he put down all of his weaponry and entered the court. He spoke in a broken English in a room filled with a people whom he held nothing but contempt for, but as his earlier plan failed, he felt that he had no alternatives.

"Allow me to introduce myself, Sirs. I wish I were here with better news, but Prince Donald of Ireland is coming with a large army, and he's looking to push you into the Irish Sea... They should be here within a few hours, but I know their exact troop formations and could assist you in your defense..."

To be continued...

 

[I Killed Kenny]

The Treaty of Windsor in Action

In London passing by the Thames a couple of Portuguese trading ships gooing to the Portuguese Trading Post, there.
The ships were full of oil and cork and wine to be sold. They slowlly went up to the Trading post. The harbor was vibrant with the movement of the many trading ships. The Portuguese where just one more. But this ones did not go to the main Harbor but to the portuguese Pier near the Trading post.​

Dinis, the diplomatic envoy sent to England from Portugal was becaming more and more like an ambassador, dealing with everything there was that involved Portugal he was passing more and more time in the Small piece of Portugal that was the Trading post that in the Court. He was there since the first Stone was build untill the end when a big signal saying "Portuguese Trading Post" was put in the place.
Dinis sees those ships, the first to go to the trading post. He runs to the pier waiting to see the goods by himself. When they finally dock he simply seats near the water, like a small kid ( something that was far from the truth, because he was one very tall man ) seeing with a very exciting looks. When all goods where in the wharehouse he goes there to see the quality of it.
"Humm... hum.. very good very good..." says Dinis looking to all the goods. "Will you" now looking to the captain of the ship "Now buy the goods like Cloth and cod with a lower prices?"
The smelly, small and bearned man looks up to reply "Yes man! Of cource why do I think I crossed half the sea to come here? Not for the ladies, because that I have plenty at home" Dinis was suprised by that roud replied he was not waiting for it. And he was sure the man did not have *that* many ladies in Portugal.
That thought made him gigle but he quickly put back his straith face. "Well allright I must leave now" he could not stand that smell anymore so he leaves, not before beeing hit in the back by a 'friendly' punch from the Captain.
Dinis liked the money the traders made, but not the Traders itself. After this he stoped gooing to the Trading post and just went once a week. He knew more and more traderes would go there now that it was built, he did not want more close enconters like that one.

 

[unmerged(17303)]

Dublin Castle, Meath.

Courtiers were simply lying about as the Irishman barged in uninvited. After he began warning them with what seemed to be threats, one of them arose.


"His Majesty, Edward, Prince of Ireland is not about. He has gone to the Continent. Even if half of our regimental garrison were to have gone with him, your Wylde Eirish comrades would be unable to breach the walls of Dublin. The Pale is incredibly secure, so I believe you have just wasted all of our time, yours notwithstanding."

He then snapped his fingers and guards took Antaine to the holding cell.

After the Irishman had gone, the courtiers murmured unto themselves.

"What if this threat is serious, though?", remarked one.
"It would be prudent to send word to Edward at once.", replied another.