Royal Court of France

[Lord E]

The fleet is just outside Malta...

Somewhere in the Mediterranean​

Just as the cry from the look out was called out admiral Mathieu Cartier set foot on the deck for the first time that day. The sun had risen a little more since the first call from the look out about land had been heard. The captain and the officers on the deck saluted the admiral as he approached them.

”Good morning, gentlemen!”

“Morning, sir.”

”So lieutenant we have land ahead it seems, and after what I heard when I came on deck we are going to be visited soon as well.”

“Yes, sir the look out called out land some time ago. That was when I send for the captain and you, sir.”

”Good work lieutenant!”

He turns to the captain.

”So captain Pellière, it seems we are going to have company. Hmm I wonder what ships it can be here just off Malta.”

”Sir, sir.
I can see an other ship now. It is two of them, looks like two galleys!”

” Monsieur Bertrand, two galleys you say, can you see any flags?”

”No, not yet, sir, sorry!”

”Damn, it might be pirates. Well, sir I don’t know, but I think we will find it out soon. Admiral, sir, shall I prepare for battle?”

” Yes, neither do I know. It might just be some Aragonees ship, but I agree it is better to be on the safe side. Prepare the fleet for battle, Captain.”

”Yes, sir, at once.
ALL HANDS, ALL HANDS PREPARE FOR BATTLE!
Lieutenant Joyeuse, signal to the fleet, please. All ships prepare for battle, possible enemy ships ahead!” ”

”Aye, aye, sir!”

The sound of drums beating could be heard all around.

Taramtam, tam, taramtam tam, rrrrrrrrrrrr, taramtam tam….

All around the ships sailors and soldiers could be seen running back and fort. Some grabbed their swords, the archers took forward their arrows and some placed out buckets of water in case of fire. In the mean time the fleet where getting closer and closer to the two galleys.

”Sir, I can see their colours now. It is not a Moslem vessel, sir. I think that is the flag of Gelre!”

 

[Lord E]

Just outside the island of Malta​

”Sir, they are lowering a boat!

”What, monsieur Bertrand, a boat you say?

”Yes, sir, a boat with course towards us. Seems like we are going to have an important visitor, for I can see uniform with gold on it.”

”Hmm very well. Lieutenant, honour guard to welcome foreign officer, please!”

“Aye, aye sir.
ALL HANDS FORM LINES! HONOUR GUARD, ON THE DOUBLE!”

The men are running forward to their positions, when the admiral sends his servant down below to get some of his best wine to the guest. The boatmen stand ready with their whistles, and the lines are ready as well. Captain Pellière walks forward to the gate in the deck where the foreign guest must enter the ship by, just as the boat comes along side the ship.

”Then we are ready.”

He turns to the boat, and smiles. The whistles begin to play and he can see the officer entering the French ship.

 

[Lord E]

Just outside the island of Malta​

Captain Pellière stood ready to welcome the boat from the galley. He had been watching the boat’s approach for some time now, and he could see that it seemed like some of the men weren’t fully trained, and it looked pretty obvious that some of them where not doing their best to get the boat to the French ships. Where they afraid?
He wondered to him self, as he turned to look over his deck. The men had been lined up and stood ready, the boatmen stood with their whistles and his officers in their finest uniform. Everything looked ready.

The suddenly he heard noise and some of the men left their positions in the line.

”Monsieur Dumanoir, those men’s names please!”

“Aye, aye sir! Sir, old quartermaster Departiue here thinks he knows the uniforms in the boat.”

”So Departiue you think you know what men it is?”

”Ahm, yes sir, I think so. I worked for on a Hansa merchant ship before I was... hmm… well sir, convinced by a nice lieutenant and his men that I should join the navy, and back then we sailed a lot to Gelre and saw their ships, so I would say sir, that the man is a lieutenant and the other man a quartermaster, and the rest sailors, sir”


”Very well Departiue, I thank you, it looks like they are careful.”

Now the boat had come up alongside the ship, and the lieutenant from Gelre called out on good French.

“Ahoy, what ships are these?”

“It is the flagship of his Majesty the King of France, the French navy. What for ships are yours?”

“The galleys Treacherous and Loyal, build in Constantinople on route for Gelre. May we come onboard?”

Dumanoir tuned to the captain, he nodded.

“Yes, come onboard!”

The whistles played, and the sailors honoured the men as they boarded the ship, captain Pellière welcomed them onboard.

”My name is Louis d Pellière, captain of this ship, and you are sir?”

“ My name is Lieutenant Jongemaat of the Treacherous, sir”

” Welcome Lieutenant Jongemaat, these are my officers: lieutenants Dumanoir, Joyeuse and Montar. Midshipmen Bertrand, Beufort, Purchet and Gaston…

The captain presented all the ships officers after turn. Men while the sailors from Gelre had followed after their quartermaster onboard, and now the stood and looked at the French crew.
Captain Pellière turned to them and welcomed them as well.

Lieutenant Montar, it is your watch I believe?”

”Yes, sir it is.”

”Let the men return to their duties the lieutenant!”

”Aye, aye, sir.”

”Lieutenant Jongemaat I hope you would do me the honour to take a drink with me, we have some very fine French wine onboard.”

“Yes, sir it would be an honour.”

At the same the time the admiral sat foot on deck, captain Pellière introduced the two men.

”Now lieutenant I hope my captain have taken good care of you, and that he have invited you to drink with us?”

“Yes, admiral, sir the captain had just invited me.”

”Splendid, I knew I could trust him. He he he. Well gentlemen let us go below. Lieutenants Dumanoir and Joyeuse I hope you will also do us the honour?”

“Yes, sir!”

”Your men can just walk around the ship and talk to our men, lieutenant, not to worry!”

“Yes, thank you sir, but I should really send some of them back to my ship, to inform of what fleet and ships this is.”

“Ok, if you insist you do that.”

Some of the men from the galley where send back with a message to the galleys commander and crew about what the ships where, while some of the men from Gelre staid.
The officers walked bellowed to the admiral’s cabin for a drink, meanwhile the men were back on deck. The deck now looked much more quiet that it had done just a couple of minuets ago. Most of the French sailors had no duties at the moment, so they just sat on deck looking at the fleet and the galleys and talking.

 

[unmerged(17500)]

A man walks into the royal court and presents himself.

• "My honored friends, King Louis XI and the most beautiful Princess Matilda, I come from the great city state of Venezia. We have once again awoken in the Mediterannean, and thusly shall recell our former trading routes. One these trading routes went through France, specifically you have some very interesting commodities that are highly valued, as does Venice. Venice thusly would be honored if I Sergio Mercato, may act as diplomat, servant, and trade liaison. I pray that you will have me?"
  
  The man bows once again hands documents to the court secretary who thusly shows them to the King, then he continues
  "As you can see my good King Louis we have a trade route already planned and thusly, a trade agreement that will makes us both extremely wealthy. I hope that it will be acceptable?"

Marseille Trade and Loan Pact​

Part I - Purpose: To reaffrim Venetian and French ties as well as create a trade foundation to profit both parties

• Article I - The parties involved are the great and pious nations of France and Venezia.
  Article II - The parties have joined together to strengthen their friendship and thusly do.

Part II - Trade: Venice and France shall join in a trade.

• Article I - Venice shall supply the materials for the building of three custom houses in France for the purpose of Franko-Venetian trade.
  Article II - Venice shall provide France with goods from Asia at prices no higher then at 35% profit for the Venetian merchants.
  Article III - Venice shall be allowed to have access to a maximum 65% of all French goods for exportation and Venice shall be seen as the main trade partner for France.
  Article IV - France shall recognize Venice as the more pious of the two major trading powers of Italy; and that Genoa thusly has only in mind the destruction of Venice. For this recognition it shall not provide any goods to the Genovese.
  Article V - Venice shall use its vast resources to find the highest prices for French goods and thusly guarantee an increase in French profits.

Part III - Loan and aid agreement

• Article I - Venice shall do everything in its power to loan France with monies in the case of French need.
  Article II - France shall do everything in its power to loan Venice with monies in the case of Venetian need.
  Article III - Both parties shall join in the purpose of mutual assistance.

 

[Lord E]

Louis had just returned from his visit from Nüremberg, and he had been in a bad temper since his last meeting with the Emperor all since he returned to France. A week had passed by now, and he was getting back to his normal life in France. He had been very glad to see Matilda again, and his son, Charles now almost a year old. He had therefore now returned to his ordinary temper and he was happy again. Therefore he smiled and was glad to welcome the man from Venice.

“Noble Sergio Mercato!
It is a great honour to once more welcome a man from Venice here in France. I will of course accept you as Venice representative, and I am glad to do so. I hope that the man I send to Venice have arrived there as well.”

He looks at the treaty.

“This looks very nice, and I think that this deal will work for the best for both France and Venice, so I think we can agree on it at it’s current state. I just wonder about that article about of Genoa, why do you believe that Genoa seek the destruction of Venice. This might be a stupid question, but I am afraid that I am not very into the life between the two trade states in Italy in detail, so maybe you could inform me a little more, good sir?”

 

[unmerged(17500)]

Sergio Mercato looks at the King almost astonished at Sergio's own stupidity.

• "Oh my lord, I apologize, if there is any misunderstanding, the blame should be placed on my own shoulders. The situation can be clearly explained. The Doge of Genoa has made it known that he would rather seek the friendship of money over that of God, and that is a friendship that has had the state of Genoa excommunicated, and the Doge burned at the stake by order of the Pope. The Doge's son has continued on his father's path, and will assuredly pay also. The Holy Roman Emperor has ventured on a quest to destory all heathens, and Genoa seems to be first on his list.
  
  Venezia and her current Doge Francesco Foscari, have taken a more pious stance. My lord takes God before trade, but sees the Venice is in a position to strengthen God's hand through trade. The Papal states have begun the building an enormous church that Venice shall be honored to aid in building. So you see Venice has taken the most honorable course while the Genoans have choosen the devil. As such the devil only seeks to destroy what is good. In all of her jealousy Genoa has threatened our nation for many centuries and shall persist for many more, until God finally forces his sword and shield on them. It seems that the power of Genoa is quickly decreasing, and I hope that our two nations can come to such a trade agreement with the protection of Venice from Genoa, and in parallel also the protection of God from heatens in mind. I hope that this explains the situation a more clearly"

 

[Fireblade]

A powerfully built man in fine armor enters the court and bows before King Louis.

"King Louis, I am Lord Federico Allori, appointed by Queen Maria of Sicily to serve as Ambassador to the French court. Queen Maria hopes for friendly relations between the Kingdom of France and the Kingdom of Sicily, and wishes to open negotiations for trade in the near future. If it pleases the King of the French, I wish to be accepted into this court, and represent the Queen in so noble an assembly."

Lord Federico then slips a letter to a guard, who delivers it to the King. Lord Federico smiles as the King reads it, and nods.

 

[unmerged(17500)]

A letter is sent in private about the issues at hand

 

[unmerged(6719)]

A man enters the court of the King of France and bows before the young French King.


Standing he smiles as he speaks:


Good King of Gaulia I come to you today on behalf of your aunt and uncle the King and Queen of Castile-Leon. I am Juan Antonio De Leon, sent by her majesty Queen Elionor to serve as her ambassador to your fine court. I hope that you allow me to stay because I know that Queen Elionor would greatly appreciate it. I bring you you a personal letter written by Queen Elionor.

 

[Lord E]

The King looked at the Treaty once more, nodded and signed it.

"Thank you for this explanation Sergio Mercato, here is the signed treaty."

He hands over the treaty with his signature.

[X]-Louis XI, King of France

Then he turns to the man from Sicily and the man from Castile y Leon.

"Welcome gentlemen.
It is an honour to welcom you to France. I will of course accept you both as ambasadors here in France, and I will see to that a man is sendt to your noble lands as well."

He smiles at Juan Antonio De Leon

"Ah it pleases me to see that my aunt and uncel is once more opening Castile to the world. I am gald to be able to recive you here in France today. You are of course accepted.
But tell me how are my aunt and my uncel?"

He smiles and awaits a replay.

 

[unmerged(6719)]

Ambassdor Juan Antonio De Leon amiles as he hears the King of France accept him in his court, and speaks:


Good King might I first speak upon what a beautiful and gracious court you have here in Grenoble. I have heard of the beauty of your court but until my own eyes glanced upon it did I not imagine the truth to those rumours. First let me say that both your Aunt and Uncle are fine and enjoying the glorious times in Castile-Leon. While your Uncle has taken a more inpersonal role in being King of Castile-Leon he has granted full control of the nation to Elionor. She rules with great justice and infident wisdom. Might I add she speaks nothing but great words about you and your wife. Great things might be happening in the future in Iberia and I am sure your Aunt would like to you be involved as to help France become the great nation it once was. As always you know you have an open invitation to the Court. Perhaps you could come in the future. I belive the Queen is currently on her way to Portugal, but I am sure she would love to hear of her favorite nephew comming to Castile upon her return.

 

[Lord E]

"I am so glad to here that. My wife and I are also very happy and we are leaving happy and peaceful days here in Grenoble.
I am glad that you liked France and Grenoble, for I to sees it as a beautiful city, and I am glad that you liked it.

I also hope it will please my dear aunt and uncle to here that my wife and I have now got a son, young Charles dauphin to the French throne. We are very found of him. Just like I hope Elionor and Juan will be."

 

[Fireblade]

Lord Federico Allori smiles and bows as he hears the King's words.

"Thank you for accepting me into your court, King Louis. Your aunt, Queen Maria of Sicily, would be most grateful if you were you send an ambassador to her court, to represent the interests of one of her favorite nephews in Sicily. I am sad to say, the beauty of the French court is much greater than that of the Sicily, but we are improving, as I'm sure your Ambassador will report.

Queen Maria also sends this new letter for you, King Louis."

 

[unmerged(9310)]

It was a heavy downpour of rain in the cool evening as a rider arrives....

A diplomat has arrived from the Duchy of Brabant as an official emissary from the Duke himself.

There is a Ducal Request for a private audience with the French king. The diplomat seems to give the impression the audience will be of high interest to the King...

 

[Wulfram]

A letter arrives from Aquitaine

"King Louis XI of France,

I would try once again to resolve this dispute over Orleans. I fear that you may be tired of my raising this matter, but I believe that the proposals I make will be acceptable.

My first proposal is

1. Sir Thomas Percy shall agree not to use the title of Duke of Orleans.

2. The Duke of Aquitaine and the King of France shall agree not to wage war upon each other, save as part of greater war between England and France.

This would not constitute a renunciation of my son's claim, but would hopefully put us in a position where it would not interfere with relations between us

Alternatively, and preferably

1. The House of Percy and the House of Valois swear friendship between them.

2. Sir Thomas Percy passes any and all claims to lands and titles within Gallia which he has inherited from his father-in-law, Duke Charles of Orleans.

3. Sir Thomas Percy is restored to the County of Le Mans, since that was held by his wife, Jeanne, before her father's death. Thomas will hold this land as a vassal of the King of France

It should be stressed that this will not interfere with your ownership of Maine as a whole. This would seem a much more satisfactory outcome, for friendship would benefit us both and, after all, the families of Percy and Valois are now tied by marriage.

I would appreciate hearing your thoughts on these proposals,

Henry Percy, Duke of Aquitaine"

 

[unmerged(5630)]

A messenger strides into the court bearing the plain ermine coat of the Dukes de Montford of Brittany. He bows low before the throne and then begins to speak

"I bear humble greetings from Duke Jean VI de Montford to his royal Majesty the King of France. Long may you be blessed in the sight of God and men, and so your heirs. Long may you reign. I furthermore bear tidings of friendship and, as a testament to that close bond, offer this messenger Louis de Blois as my envoy in your court and hope you will extend to me the same courtesy. Long have we struggled to remain friends, and it is my deepest hope that friends we will remain"

Louis de Blois bows again and takes a step back.

 

[Lord E]

The King smiles at the man from Brabant.

"I am free to talk with you in just a second, after I have welcomed the man from Brittany. Then we can go somewhere and talk in private."

He then turns to the man from Brittany.

"Monsieur Louis de Blois
It is a great pleasure for me to accept you and welcome you to Grenoble, and to France.
For long have we not heard from Brittany, so it is great that you have now opened to the world again.
Brittany and France have for long had a close and friendly relationship, and I hope we will be able to continue our good relations!"

He then turns to the man from Brabant again, and together they walked into the King's private chamber.

 

[N Katsyev]

A Russian man, bejewelled and with rings covering his fingers disembarks from a merchantman bound for Barcelona in the French port of Vendee. His mission to make his way to the French court and seek audience with their most august King. Upon reaching his destination the Russian would await his turn for audience with the King, the request for which he put it immediately.

 

[Lord E]

The chamberlain is told that a man from Russia has requested an audience with the King and therefore the chamberlain he approaches the Russian.

“Good sir, the King is evadible now, if you would follow me?”

He led the way into the court room.

 

[N Katsyev]

The Russian man followed chamberlain into the court and did his best to bow before the French king in the manner he watched other courtiers do. His quickly darted around the room, taking in his surroundings and taking particular note of the clothing and jewlery of those present. He clasped his ringed fingers together and once more looked to the King, with a slight smile. He began in somewhat rough latin...

"I greet you Most Regal King of the Franks and all France on behalf both of the democratic council of Novgorod and the Grand Princess of Pskov. On behalf of the city of Novgorod I wish to offer your King a charter for the construction of a guildhouse in Novgorod. The city has come into great sums of money recently from the huge sale of lumber to the Kingdom of Aragon and it is using these to grant such charters. The charter may be used for merchants representing the crown of France, or a seperate merchant guild if it so pleases his Highness. This will in turn open the goods of Russia to the merchants of France, and give the French another manner in which to sell their goods.

On behalf of the Grand Princess of Pskov I hand to your highness this sealed letter from her hand. Oh... excuse me, I forgot to speak of my name, I am Nikita Breshev, hired representitive of the Veche of Novgorod." Breshev blushed a bit at his blunder, yet handed the letter to a servant to bring to the King and smiled sheepishly toward the King, rubbing his ringed fingers together. The letter read:

"Most Honorable King of the Franks,

Upon learning of the city of Novgorod's mission to seek your realm for greater economic ties, I was most joyed. You see I have always had a great personal interest in your realm and much of my wardrobe actually comes from tailors in your country. However as i'm sure you can imagine the expenses involved are quite great. As such I would be most delighted if your Highness would include in his delegation to be sent to Novgorod, men of the craft, tailoring and textile working. Fields which I must admit recieve very little attention in Russia. In return for this favor I would be willing to offer an official 10% subsidy to French merchants on furs and lumber in the city of Novgorod.

Most Respectfully Signed by Her Hand in Novgorod,
Grand Princess Mina Polotovskaya"

Nikita watched the King politely and waited for his response...