Royal Court of France

[Lord E]

Louis sat with his map on the table when the man from Pskov entered. He looked at the map and then he listened to the man, then he replayed.

"Welcome to France Nikita Breshev.
As I see from my map Pskov is far, far to the north and you must have come a long way to get to France, which makes it even nicer to be able to welcome you.

As I understand it you offer a trade agreement between France and Pskov that sounds very interesting. I am sure that the construction of a Guild house in Novgorod would be very benefiting for both our lands, and I am sure that we will be able to handle your Grad Princesses wishes for French craftsmen. So I am very interested. Have you got a proposal for me?"

 

[unmerged(945)]

A letter arrived from Rhodes.

King of France,

The venetians have done what they can to discredit us and hurt us in every way. Our attack on them is as much for our own defense as an attack.

As for your demands, I find it hard to take a man that writes in such a language seriously. If there is anything you wish to speak to us about please respond in a civil manner.

I do not wish to kill your french sailors. The genoese navy is the strongest in the world. Our ships are of the best quality, and our sailors and marines are the best trained. For the sake of your men and for the sake of your Kingdom consider this.

Andrea Doria,
Doge of Genoa

 

[unmerged(5630)]

Monsieur de Blois leans over as a messenger passes him a sealed scroll bearing the personal seal of Duke Jean. He whispers briefly and then approaches the throne. Coughing genteely, he bows and speaks in a high, reedy voice.

"I have a message here from his Highness the Duke of Brittany. I have been instructed to read it in your presence and the presence of the court"

He breaks the seal and unrolls the scroll. It too bears the seal and signature of Jean VI, and seems very brief indeed.

"From Jean de Montford, sixth of his name, Duke of Brittany to his most excellent royal Majesty Louis, eleventh of his name, King of France: Fraternal greetings and blessings be upon you this day and every day God grants you upon this Earth."

de Blois is forced to pause, as he attempted to say all of the above in one breath. Gasping for air briefly, he blushes and continues

"A treaty of mutual support and trade was signed between your great kingdom and the Duchy in 1437. We would like to re-affirm our undying support and seek the same from you. These are perilous times, good King, and friends are often hard to find. We would appreciate counting you and your great Kingdom as one of them"

Louis de Blois then steps back and awaits a reply.

 

[unmerged(945)]

A letter arrived from Rhodes.

King of France,

The venetians have not even recognized me as Doge of Genoa, even though an overwhelming majority of my people support me and chose me as their leader. Furthermore the venetianshas done everything in their power to undermine me, even though I am at war. Friendly trading competition is something I am used to, but their agressive behaviour while we are at war is unacceptable. The venetians know very well that we need our trade and supplies in this time of strife.

Therefore this war is something the venetians have brought upon themselves. Should they back down and stop their agressiveness towards us we will consider peace. If not we will have to secure our position by removing the venetian threat.

Andrea Doria,
Doge of Genoa

 

[N Katsyev]

Nikita Breshev smiled at the King's respone and handed the servant, to give to the King, the copy of the treaty signed by the Grand Princess he had travelled with.

Franco-Russo Pact of 1440​

Article I: Russian merchants of Pskov operating in Novgorod shall be obliged to offer at least a 10% subsidy to merchants working for the crown of France when said French merchants are purchasing lumber or furs.

Article II: The Kingdom of France in compensation to the realm of Pskov shall send men of the textile industry, especially trained craftsmen and learned men of the art of tailoring.

Article III: The term of this pact is three years from signature. By mutual consent by both signing parties this pact can be re-negotiated during the span of its life. Refusal to comply or breaking of the pact will be seen as an act of hostility. War declared by either realm upon the other during the term of this aggreement leads to its immediate invalidation.

[x]Signed, Grand Princess Mina Andreyevna Polotovskaya
[]

Nikita Breshev makes sure to add, "The building of the guildhouse in Novgorod needs no signature or agreement, only your word for it to begin that merchants of the crown of France shall be travelling there upon completion to conduct business. I hope this is all very acceptable to the most regal King of the Franks?"

 

[unmerged(17500)]

The Doge has spoken nella Serenissima di Venezia

 

[Lord E]

The King smiled as he speaks to the man from Brittany.

"Monseiur de Blois.
France and Brittany have been close friends, and I hope to contiue that. We will therefore of course be willing to rea-affirm the treaties and connections that are between our two states. We will of course be the friends of Brittany, and you can trust that France will help in any time where you should need aid, in any way."

The he turns to the man from Pskov.

"This looks accetable. I will sign."

Franco-Russo Pact of 1440


Article I: Russian merchants of Pskov operating in Novgorod shall be obliged to offer at least a 10% subsidy to merchants working for the crown of France when said French merchants are purchasing lumber or furs.

Article II: The Kingdom of France in compensation to the realm of Pskov shall send men of the textile industry, especially trained craftsmen and learned men of the art of tailoring.

Article III: The term of this pact is three years from signature. By mutual consent by both signing parties this pact can be re-negotiated during the span of its life. Refusal to comply or breaking of the pact will be seen as an act of hostility. War declared by either realm upon the other during the term of this aggreement leads to its immediate invalidation.

[x]Signed, Grand Princess Mina Andreyevna Polotovskaya
[x]Louis XI, King of France, Head of the House of Valois, overlord of Provence.

"There now let us hope that this will be very helpfull and benefitting for both nations!"

 

[N Katsyev]

Breshev bowed once more, "It brings me great joy that my travel to this fine land ended in such a mutually beneficial way for our realms. Sadly my time among you has passed and I must return to Russia with the conclusion of this pact. I hope the King the best of health and fortune. Now, I have a ship back to Narva to catch..."

(OOC: Nikita Breshev has left France)

 

[N Katsyev]

A sealed letter arrives for King Louis from Pskov.

 

[unmerged(9310)]

The Flemish emissary follows the King into the private chamber...

As the King of France, Louis XI entered the private chamber, he turned and took a seat. He looked over the Flemish man, Duke Adriaen's emissary... indeed he was wearing the full pomp flashy clothing of the era he had heard had been recently been produced in the Low Countries area.

"I thank you your most gracious majesty for this private audience. My name is Baron Simon de Burghes, and I bring greetings from my noble lord, Adriaen I, Duke of Brabant, and Count of Louvain. "

There was a moment of silence as the French king expected the emissary to continue.

"My lord indeed sends me to your most royal majesty during most urgent times. Indeed, times have drastically changed in the last twenty years my lord. Nations have risen and fallen, and indeed it is no... secret... that France's influence over the rest of Europe has somewhat depleted in the last few decades. France has had many enemies, and still those enemies try to wrestch control of the lands from it's rightful ruler and King, your most excellent self.

Yet is it not true, your grace, that France's worst enemy is a land full of people who speak the French language?"

The emissary bowed and opened a map and he unrolled it.

Nivernais... Champagne... Savoie.... Auvergne. All parts of France that by God's hand should be ruled by you, my lord. My own lord, Duke Adriaen feels he and his ally, The most Esteemed Duke of Luxembourg, have also been put into a similar situation.

It long ago when the great ancient Emperor Charlemagne's great and vast holdings were split, and Lothar's realm was created. Lotharingia, as it is known in it's modern borders, truly has no place in our world. It is a french Kingdom not yet under the French King. The Dutch, Flemish, Germans, Swiss Germans, and Italians under the Queen of Lotharingia are indeed unhappy with this situation, and already the land is unstable. Action... as my noble lord calls it, may soon take place to ensure that Wallonia as well as other enslaved lands under this Queen gain their indendance. I am sure the French subjects under their 'Queen' in Burgundy would rather French rule, and with an... alliance... between Brabant, Luxembourg, and France, surely this Burgundian thorn in the side of Christiandom could be.... fixed?"

The French King opened his mouth to speak....

 

[unmerged(5630)]

A messenger bolts into castle at Grenoble, passing by guards who wave him on when they see his blazon. Rapidly rushing into the chambers of Louis de Blois, servants rouse the ambassador and pass him a note.

Five minutes later, Monsieur de Blois leaves the message with the King's chamberlain to await his pleasure.

 

[Prince Eugene]

A letter arrives from Copenhagen.

"Your Most Gracious Majesty, Louis XI, King of France,

Your trade agreement with Pskov has been perceived as a mockery in Copenhagen. Your ships stand taxed. Aragon, as well, has made agreements with the Pskovoyes. Your situation is a bit different, though. Goods shipped from France have not been taxed to the extent of Aragon, however the goods they bring back from Pskov have. This is because it is not proper to tax goods from a ship carrying men, and Denmark would never dream of taxing any nation with the charge of the custody of textile carpenters. Pskovoye goods traveling back to France, however, have been taxed. It is unfortunate that neither side consulted Denmark before signing trade agreements which require merchant ships to traverse through the Danish Sound -- a crucial port of call for Denmark.

I, however, offer you a chance to avoid the numerous taxes of the Sound.. To avoid all of this chaos, it is of utmost importance that a trade agreement is signed between Denmark and France. France will be allowed one block of land in Copenhagen, supplying plenty of room for several French warhouses to be built. This land shall be regarded as property of France, and under the force of French laws and customs. Any criminals committing acts of evil on these lands shall be arrested and sent to France for punishment as seen fit by Your Grace or a subordinate. All goods in these warehouses can be traded with any nations whos merchants are present in Copenhagen. This decreases costs for your merchants to travel all the way to Narva, as well as it allows French to trade with valuable goods with Denmark, and other trading organizations, such as the Hansa.

I hope you find such offers pleasing, as otherwise French ships are subject to full taxation by Danish customs."

Sincerely,
Olaf Pedersen
Captain, Danish Customs

 

[Lord E]

Louis looks out the window after the man from Brabant have spoken, and then he turns to the map.

"Hmm Baron de Burghes I fully understand what you say, but I am afraid that I can in any way accept this. You might not know it, but that fact is that France and Burgundy is allied and close friends who supports each other in case of war. So as you might understand France at the moment will not turn her back on her friends, and jump all over our friends in Burgundy. So I must decline your offer.

However should you have anything ells of interest to talk to me about, just ask.

Thank you."

As monsieur de Blois runs in with a letter, Louis turns to him and takes up the letter. He reads it, and people around him could see that he was thinking hard.

"Yes, yes, I believe that the Duke is very correct. Hmm."

As he sits down to write a letter in respond, a messenger hurries in with a letter from Denmark.

"What, God damn it.
Send for Captain Bellforte!"

"Your Majesty called for me?"

"Yes, I did. Take a look at this letter please captain, and tell me what you think."

"Hmm well, Sire it is clear that the Danes are trying to earns as much money as they can out of ships passing the Sund. After all they have just fought a very expensive war Sire."

"Yes, I know, but I still don't like it. Very well you will have to go to Denmark at once Captain. Admiral Cartier is still in the Mediterranean with the fleet, as you know, so you won't be able to get much with you, but I think the Venerable is free. You might take her and deliver this letter to the Danish Customs. Also you will stay in the area just for some time, I do not trust the Danes, and I don't like this damn taxation."

"He he he, yes I fully understand what your Majesty means!"

 

[Lord E]

In the Sund​

The small French merchant vessel was returning from Pskov. On the way up they had been transporting craftsmen, and now they where tacking lumber and furs. It had been a smart deal the King had made with the Pskovians.

However now a French ship had told them they had meet that the Danes had started searching all ships in the Sund and taking tax from them. If this where true, it might be an end for this great trade they had just started, therefore the captain had ordered that they should wait until nightfall before trying to pass the Sund.

Now the night had fallen and they had just started passing the Sund. Just a couple of 100 meters away lay the Danish coast, and probably the Customs as well.

“We need to do this quickly, we can’t have this Danes taking away all our money!”

“No, sir.”

“Therefore we sail at night, let us just hope that the Danes are at sleep!”

 

[GreyPawn]

A letter is sent to the Royal Court at the castle in Grenoble, bearing the signet mark of the Duke of Normandy.

"Your Most Excellent Majesty Louis XI,

If it please your majesty, allow Normandy the introduction to you of her new Duke, the Lord Jean de Clermont-Ferrand. The peoples of Normandy have great admiration and respect for your court and your nation. The nation of France in our eyes exemplifies a true Christian kingdom under the holy guidance of our saviour, and for this we laud and praise your wise leadership.

With this introduction, our noble Duke wishes also to inquire of France if it would entertain the notion of allowing a permanent ambassador in the Court of France at Grenoble. Duke Jean de Clermont-Ferrand also wishes to extend this same proposed courtesy to France and her dominion, of the prescence of an Ambassador in the Ducal Court of Normandy, at the pleasure of your excellent majesty.

We look forward to a reply at your convenience most auspiciously.

Warm Regards,
Guy du Fitzroy
Minister of State
Ducal Court of Normandy"

 

[GreyPawn]

A tall young man, gaunt in appearance, asserts himself in the court of Grenoble. He bows low before the throne of Louis XI before offering the seated King a letter sealed with the signet mark of the Duke of Normandy.

​

"Your Excellent Majesty, Louis XI, King of France, Head of the House of Valois, Overlord of Provence,

Your letter was well received in the Ducal Court of Normandy. We entreat to accept your offer, whereas the man bearing this missive is my own ambassador Roband Ledgard of Flandres. He has been charged to represent the friendly interests of my nation in your esteemed court in Grenoble.

Your ambassador and envoy Sir Armand de Eseniter has been well met and accepted in our court with grace. With this exchange of diplomats we hope to better our communications with each other, thereby improving relations between our glorious nations. Normandy looks forward to a lasting friendship with the Court of France.

Warm Regards,
Duke Jean de Clermont-Ferrand
The Ducal Court of Normandy"


As the King finishes the missive, the bearer speaks-

"Your majesty, I am Roband Ledgard of Flandres, at your service as the mouthpiece of my Duke, Jean de Clermont-Ferrand of Normandy. If there are any matters you or your court wish to discuss with Normandy, summon me at your leisure, majesty."

The man bows low once more.

 

[N Katsyev]

A letter arrives in France from Pskov,


"Most Noble King of the Franks,

No longer do your ships have to fear Danish customs officials as they will now travel no further than Gelre. As included in the documents that come with this letter explaining the new situation for trade coming into Pskov through the Sund. Merchants from this realm shall pay the dues owed to the Hansa for this service and only charge additional fees equal to the money now saved by the Franks in their transportation costs to Gelre as opposed to the entire distance to Narva. I hope everything is acceptable.

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

Contained documents outlining the ship rent agreement between Hansa and Pskov

 

[Lord E]

In Pskov

The last weeks several ships had arrived in Pskov. They where all shipping up French craftsmen, after the orders of the King, these men had arrived to help and train the people of Pskov in the art of tailoring. Now the French delegation had gotten pretty huge, but the craftsmen where happy for the earned money, and so did the merchants. They shipped up craftsmen, and brought back cheep lumber and furs. This was something that both parties would make profit on. Yes, it really looked like this trade deal was something that was going to benefit both states.

 

[Blinky]

Most Esteemed King Louis XI of France,

What great joy entered my heart to find a letter from the Valois myself!

What you spoke of is true, and I am glad to welcome a nobleman of such esteem as yourself. The Kingdom of Navarre has been under my regency for a brief time, and has recently declared me their soverign king in accordance with the law and tradition. In this regard, we have much to gain by supporting each other in pursuit of our rightful claims in opposite to those who would claim our lands.

If it is to your liking, I would welcome a man of yours to my court who wishes to bear news of your word and wishes. Perhaps, you may even deign to travel abroad and look down on the earth as we often say in these mountains of ours.

In Gratias,
Carlos Trastamara
King of Navarra

 

[Bagricula]

A Franciscan friar shuffles through the carefully regulated French court, murmuring Ave Marias under his breath as his nimble fingers count on a wooden rosary. He bows then kneels then stands before Louis before speaking very simply and clearly:

"Most Christian Majesty, His Eminence, Rainmund von Wittelsbach is conducting an investigation into allegations of treacherous conspiracy by the Duke of Brabant against the Kingdom of Lotharingia. We have been led to believe that your majesty's court might have evidence and testimony of use in deciding the verdict of this case. Your assistance is prayed for, Sire."