Royal Court of France

[Fireblade]

Duke Thomas and Princess Gwyneth enter the Louvre, caps in hand. For all their talk on the way to France, they were actually a little nervous in having to meet one of the most powerful Princes of Christendom. The King of England, as mighty as he may appear, was only a tenth as rich as the King of France is. While the English could marshal thousands to an army, the French could marshal tens of thousands. And, most worryingly of all, the French and Scots hadn't really had any contact diplomatically for the past decade. As they approached the throne, a French courtier whispered into their ear that the Irish and Portuguese ambassadors were already here, addressing the King. During a lull in their conversation, Duke Thomas and Princess Gwyneth stepped before the King, and bowed.

"King Louis, Most Christian of All Kings, I, Thomas, Duke of Glasgow, bring greetings from his most excellent and powerful Majesty, James, By the Grace of God, King of Scotland.."

Princess Gwyneth, lustful as ever, drowns out the rest of the long and tedious diplomatic greeting that Thomas is giving King Louis. In the most sacred gates of heaven which only the fairer sex possess, she felt a certain warmth as her eyes feasted upon the King. She was certain this man was powerful.. and if there was anything that ever attracted her, it was power. This could be interesting..

 

[Lord E]

With the Scottish party

Louis sat still and listened to the man from Scotland, but at the same time he couldn’t help from looking at the princess. She sure was a beautiful girl, and he felt that she was looking at him as well. But at the same time he wanted to keep focus so he tried to have his mind on the talk of the Duke.

“Noble Duke of Glasgow. Welcome to Paris and France. Please extend my best greetings and wishes back to His Majesty. I hope that His Majesty also will agree with me when I say that I hope France and Scotland will try to work together like we have done in earlier times, and not have so long a silence as there has been between our two Kingdoms the last years!
Now I hope you will introduce me to the beautiful girl that accompanies you?”

 

[I Killed Kenny]

Fernando looked to the king​

Fernando saw that he had to do something so he replied quickly"Well my king would like to marry a daughter of France, but if Possible to send the boy to your majesty court for the first times. With all expensices payed by the boy's father, of cource. So that he may learn all about this magnificent court!
We know this is a bit strange, but we could combine two things the extange of noble blood lines and the extange of noble custumes"

 

[unmerged(17303)]

A letter arrived from London.

"Louis, Valois Pretender of France;

I have generously decided to grant you the knowledge that my magnanimous self have determined that the treaty signed by John of Lancaster which abdicated the French throne is null and void as he was not the legitimate ruler of England.

I shall continue to use the title 'King of France' in my style, and I shall appreciate it if you cease to use it as well, as you are nothing more than a mere Duke who occupies much of my rightful lands.

Edmundus I
Dei Gratia Rex Angliæ et Franciæ et Dominus Hibernæi et Scotiæ et Cambriæ et Dux Normanniæ"

 

[Lord E]

Audience chamber with the Portuguese man

Louis nodded.

“Well We presume something could be arranged. We see no problem in having a noble man from Portugal here in Louvre after all Paris is one of the greatest cities in the world, and We are sure the man His Majesty decides to send Us will learn a lot, and also see a lot at his stay here. SO please inform His Majesty that We would be glad to receive this young man!
Also we have been informed from Vendee that Our docks and Our sailors are ready to meet and work together with your craftsmen and sailors when they arrive.”


Throne room

Louis took the letter that had just arrived from London, read through it and then tossed the letter in the fireplace.

“Damn, that little son of a whore. Now he has shifted opinion on this matter for like three times. Why can’t that spoiled little bastard make up his mind?”

The Duke of Grenoble listened to the King, and then nodded.

“Yes your Majesty, I think it is about time this Edmund of York learns a lesson. After all we all know that Charles has a better claim on the English throne that this bastard Edmund!”

“Yes, yes, I think you are correct… Now bring me some paper!”

 

[I Killed Kenny]

"The boy shall come to this court in the same ship of the masters of the seas, but we must first know who will be the girl he will marry so I can send a letter to my king explaining everything." the man noded waiting for a reply

 

[AugCaesar]

A lettter arrives from Castille.



Royal Cousin, His Most August Majesty Louis,

I write to you know ready to accept the benevolence of your previous missives. Duely I did note that I should not accept the generosity of your treasury without foresight, and now, w/ Sevilla again in my hands I am ready to receive the bounty of my allies treasury. I am ready to receive your loan of 200,000 coin, (2 eco) and know that I shall repay them quickly and use them only in raising and training of the most competent troops. I am certain you shall stand by your initial word, and glad to have such a friend and relative as yourself.

Your Friend, Ally, and Cousin,


Enrique IV Rey de Castile y Leon, King of Grenada, Lord of the Baleares and Malta, His Most CAtholic Majesty of Iberia.

 

[Lord E]

Louvre, with the Portuguese man

Louis nods.

“Yes, We understand His Majesty’s wise to be informed. But We would also like to be informed a little, rumours are telling us about a treaty signed with Edmund of York by His Majesty, have you any information about this?

Well and as for the girl please meet Madeleine daughter of our uncle the Duke of Grenoble, and as such a close member of the French royal family. She is in the right age to get married, and We am sure His Majesty will be able to find somebody who are suitable to marry her. Remember she is in close relation to Us and we hope His Majesty will find a boy who also have close bonds to the Royal family. “

The girl enters and bows for the man smiling her best smile.

“I am honoured to meet you monsieur d'Evora, and I hope I will have the pleasure of seeing you again!”

She smiles, and then withdraws a little as Louis once again takes the word

“She is a beautiful girl, and We hope the man from Portugal will like her. Now We will write to Our Naval authorities in vendee and let them know that they are to await the arrival of the Portuguese craftsmen, and inform them that We want them to be greeted as guests of France!”

 

[I Killed Kenny]

He bows to the young Girl, after dooing so he looks to the king and replies "It seems that it is true that the princesses of France are beautiful" He looks back to the girl amazed by her beauty and smiles, after half a minute staring to the girl he answers the king "As far as I know, even before I was sent here, King João sent an envoy to London to re-sign the 68 old treaty of Windsor. he noddes to the king and ends with "If your majesty let me leave I shall send a letter to my king asking for the young boy and the masters. And I should leave soon so I may continue my journey into northen Europe" Fernando gives a step backwards and deeplly bows waiting for a reply.

 

[Lord E]

Louvre with the Portugese

Louis nods and smiles.

“We thank you for the kind words towards our French girls.
Yes please do monsieur. You may go and write to His Majesty.
As for the English treaty it was an old one that sounds reasonable enough. And We hope this treaty will create no problems between our two Kingdoms.
We will be sad to se monsieur leave, but We understand that is necessary and We wish you a pleasant voyage to the north!”

 

[I Killed Kenny]

Fernando continue bowed untill the king stops speaking he then looks up and walks to the exit, he have much to travel​

 

[Fireblade]

“Noble Duke of Glasgow. Welcome to Paris and France. Please extend my best greetings and wishes back to His Majesty. I hope that His Majesty also will agree with me when I say that I hope France and Scotland will try to work together like we have done in earlier times, and not have so long a silence as there has been between our two Kingdoms the last years! Now I hope you will introduce me to the beautiful girl that accompanies you?”

Princess Gwyneth smiles before Duke Thomas has a chance to speak. Moving to one knee, and kissing the King's hand, she looks up at King Louis and speaks.

"Your Majesty, I am Princess Gwyneth, sister of his Majesty James, by the Grace of God, King of Scotland. If your Majesty prefers, you might call me Princess Guinivere, for I find the French form of my name to be.. more pleasing to the ears."

As Princess Guinivere steps back, Duke Thomas smiles, his face a little red.

"Ahem.. yes, your Majesty, she's like this back in Scotland as well."

Managing a slight chuckle, which the rest of the court echoes, he speaks again, more composed.

"Yes, your Majesty, it has indeed been far too long. But, as they say, the past is the past, so we must forge a better future. Let the Court of France hear the voices of Scots again, as it has in the centuries past. Your Majesty, I propose that a marriage take place between the House of Valois and the House of Bruce, between your son, the Dauphin Charles, and his niece, the Princess of Scotland, Gwyneth. Let the Auld Alliance be reborn, through the Union of our two great houses!"

 

[I Killed Kenny]

A big Ship with the Cross of Christ enter the Port of Vendee, it was a good example of the Portuguese Shipbuilding which has without any doubt the best in the world. It was rare of those ships to go northen of Viana do Castelo, they normally were just sent to the expeditions and whereever the admirals of Portugal sent them. So this ship was a beautiful site in the port of Vendee. Comming out of her just a couple of people. One little boy an experianced man and five knights as an escort. The others stay on the ship for some time before gooing to the city trying to find a place to stay.

The seven who do not stay in Vendee go quickly to Paris where they should meet with the King of France.​

Appon arriving to the Louvre they are quickly announced as "Estevão Duarte, Son of Enrique the Navigator, first Counsin of João King of Portugal etc... Future duke of Coimbra and Nuno Gomes, the experianced shipmaker from Portugal!" the announced people and their escort now wait to be accepted in the court and to speak with the King of France

 

[Lord E]

Louvre with the Scots

Louis smiled at the princess. She was a beautiful girl, he though.

“I thank your Highness for that great honour and I would be honoured to be able to call you Princess Guinivere. Allow me to say Guinivere that you are a beautiful woman!”

The King nodded to Duke Thomas.

“As yes I understand, but who can be angry at such a beautiful woman. I presume His Majesty must be proud of his sister!

Yes, let us look to the future, for in the future there are opportunities and I hope much joy!
You speak of marriage between my son and the princess, and I agree that such a way to seal the alliance and restart the good connections and unions of old times would be excellent. Please monsieur Duke would you care to inform me more about your offer? Like where His Majesty would like it to happen, and also on the English view of such an event?”

The Portuguese party

As Estevão Duarte, Son of Enrique the Navigator, first Counsin of João King of Portugal etc... Future duke of Coimbra and Nuno Gomes, the experienced ship maker from Portugal is announced Louis rises from his throne and walks three steps towards the group to meet them while he smiles.

“Monsieur It is an honour to meet you, I think we have much to speak about so please monsieur speak!”

 

[Lord E]

Outskirts of Montpellier

The Baron d Serres was sitting on his horse on the hill top overlooking the defences build up by the men of Louis of Lotharingia around the city of Montpellier. The sun was shining and the baron felt good, as he watched over the surrounding areas.
They had staid here for several weeks now overlooking the men of the Crimson King and their defences. The order had told him to stay here with the men to wait, and not to make any quick or rash moves towards the men down there manning the defences. It had been to silly if we where to provoke a war between France and Lotharingia because of some misunderstanding, he had told the men when they where ordered to set up camp on his hill.

Now for the last days rumours had started to arrive telling that Lotharingia had once again entered into civil war, so he had started to put the men in alert. As the Comte had told him when he had visited the Comte in his headquarter in Nimes if the rebels where to try to take Montpellier as well he would not accept it and as such they would have to take the city first to avoid such problems from happening. Therefore the men had been ready for action for about a week now, and new troops had been poured into the baron’s camp from the headquarter in Nimes everyday. Now the Baron was able to muster a good 500 men here in his camp, and the last letter from the Comte de Ales had informed that the Comte would soon arrive with a further 250 men, leaving 250 men behind in Nimes as reserve. So soon they would be able to muster 750 men against the defenders if necessary.

A horn blow wakes the Baron back to reality, and as the turns around he see a large force of knights and infantry marching towards them. He kicks his horse and rides towards the incoming men. As they meet the Comte de Ales puts up a bright smile.

“At last d Serres! At last!”

“Good to see your Excellency. I hope the travel was a pleasant one?”

“He he he well yes no problems. But now I hope you have some wine, I am thirsting after something to drink.”

The two men dismount and walk into the Baron’s tent. One of the servants enters, pours some wine and as he leaves group of other officers also enters the tent. The Comte drinks up his glass, and then he turns to the group, putting a map of Montpellier on the table.

“Gentlemen I give you Montpellier! As you all know the city is under control of the men of Louis of Lotharingia. Lotharingia has now entered into its second civil war and rumors say that the King has been murdered!”

A gasp went through the group and they starred at the Comte.

“Yes, I am afraid that is the case. Because of the last events I have received a letter from His Majesty on what do about Montpellier. Allow me to read:

Unto His Excellency Charles d Rouxel, Comte de Ales, Commander of the French forces in Languedoc

Your Excellency, due to the recent events in Lotharingia We have seen that there is a great danger that the rebels might decided that Montpellier is a to tempting to leave alone. Therefore We have decided that the city must be taken before any rebels are able to get control in the city.
We order your Excellency to take all steps necessary to secure the city and save Our lands from the danger of rebels!

Given in Paris

Louis XI, Roi de France

Now as you understand His Majesty fear for the safety of the lands of France, but also for the safety of the people of Montpellier and the surrounding areas. It is important that we act as soon as possible. We will try to do this with friendly terms, but if necessary we will have to use force. Now gentlemen please prepare the men!”

The group bowed, and walked out except the Baron who sat down looking at the Comte.

“So… we might have to attack them? Damn!”

“We will try to make the men down there understand that their King is dead and that we therefore must secure the city. We will see what happens after that.”

The Comte took a paper and a pen and sat down.

Unto Henri de Trombône,
Royal Governor of The Duchy of Montpellier

We have the unfortunate and sad duty to inform your Excellency on the sad news that His Majesty Louis King of Lotharingia has died in the hands of the rebels.
Because the rebels now control Dijon and large parts of Lotharingia, His Majesty has decided the need that the city of Montpellier is handed over to French control.
Now with both the signers of the Treaty of Montpellier from 1444 have passed away and that there is great danger that the civil war of Lotharingia might spread it is important for His Majesty to have full control over His Majesty’s domains.
As your Excellency knows His Majesty agreed to let His Majesty Louis of Lotharingia keep Montpellier although His Majesty had bought the land of Languedoc, including the city of Montpellier, from the Crown of Aragon.
But now with the recent dangers and events happening both in Lotharingia, as well as the rest of Gaul, His Majesty has ordered me to take any action needed to secure the city from the rebels. Therefore I write to your Excellency today hoping that your Excellency will cooperate on handing the control over to the French forces.
I also feel I need to inform your Excellency that His Majesty has order me to take any action necessary, and I obey and if it turns out to be necessary I will use force!
But I pray your Excellency that there will be no need to go to such steps.

Written in own hand in the outskirts of Montpellier in the year of our lord 1454

His Excellency Charles d Rouxel, Comte de Ales, Commander of the French forces in Languedoc

The Comte slowly rises, seals the letter and hands it to a messenger.

“I guess all we can do now is to wait and see d Serres. Let us pray there will be no need to use more weapons here than the pen!”

 

[HJ Tulp]

A letter arrives by courier.


To His Most Christian Majesty Louis, Eleventh of the Name, of the house Valois, King of France, Count of Paris and Beckingshire, Lord of Asti, and Knight of the Order of the Garter.

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 Gelran Ducal Throne.

 

[BusterBunny]

Unto his Majesty, Louis XI, King of France, lords of many titles,

Your Majesty,

I write to you as the rightful king of Lotharingia. I take the opportunity to introduce myself, I am Philippe du Berry, son of the late Queen Marie du Berry. As her son, I am the one to who the crown should have been given, but unfortunately, sickness had prevented me from accessing it at the time of the coronation of my sister Éléanore. Obviously, she had no right to bear it, nor to cede it to Count Louis de Montpensier.

I do not accept your charges against Charles de Nevers, as he had them communicated to me, his King. Know that I have named him Grand Duke of Burgundy, and as such, suggest that you use his proper title in your next communications to him. The Grand Duke tells me that the rebels who revolted in Dijon were suppressed with the support of Grand Duke Charles troops. Unfortunately, the Count of Montpensier was killed in the process by the unruly mob, and that his wife and child were abducted and brought in Champagne, at the Castle of Chaumont. I have sent troops to find them.

I have also heard news from the Grand Duke that troops of the Royal House of Valois were seen moving through Montpellier. Know that from diverse treaties, we our bound to perpetual peace, and this aggression will not be taken lightly.

Philippe du Berry, King of Lotharingia.

 

[BusterBunny]

Unto his Majesty, Louis XI, King of France,

Your Majesty,

It is good to hear from you again. So much happened in a short period of time, that it seems centuries ago since last we talked. I prayed for your good health in these times of trouble, and your letter comes as a relief. Our family has been plagued for a century, for faith has been cruel. And yet, it now continues.

As you might have heard, my brother Philippe is alive, and this brings much concern to the stability of Lotharingia. I have yet to meet him in person, though I have planned to do so in the coming month. We are of the same blood, and I am sure we can come to a compromise that will satisfy all.

I am unsure how to call the man who bore the crown of Lotharingia. I would have called him my brother, but now words come to me that he was not. I would have called him my King, but if I had no right to be crowned, then I had no right to abdicate?

It is funny, we are educated to all of these rules, and to protect our claims, and in just one moment, all of this doesn’t matter anymore. We’re left without directions.

But anyhow, Louis de Montpensier is dead, and Anna is somewhere in Lotharingia. We had news that she was in Chaumont. I do not know what to make of that. Anna couldn’t have travelled on foot, with all her children, that far.

I have rumours that your delegates are in Strassbourg, with Duke Karl. More than that, I do not know, for the Duke has been very secretive with myself and so many others, that he could be siding with my brother, and we wouldn’t even know.

Suffice it to say, your Majesty, that no one can make sense of the situation, only that we know many members of the Directoire are going to meet soon, and that there will be decisions taken there that could very well change the face of the House of Berry and Lotharingia overall. I will keep you informed of the progressions made and of any events as I will be aware of them.

On a last note, remember, your Majesty, that I am here on my own free will, and that I do not need to be rescued. I have the resources of my husband, and a will to establish new hope for this kingdom that I have loved for so long.

Do not despair, your Majesty,

Éléanore du Berry

 

[unmerged(18481)]

In the snowy February of 1454, impeded by the severe winter and the civil war in Lotharingia, a Burgundian courier dispatched from Saint-Claude finally arrives in Paris carrying a letter to be given into the own hands of the King of France, refusing to hand it over to anyone else.

The letter is sealed with both the personal and the grand seal of Queen Anne of Lotharingia, and is written in her unmistakable scrawl -- or rather griffonage as the Frenchmen call it.

À Sa Majesté Louis XI de France, par la Grâce de Dieu Roi de France, Comte de Paris et du Val de Beck, Seigneur d’Asti, Chevalier de la Jarretière.


Your Majesty, also as Our cher cousin by marriage,

We would like to dispel any confusion or misunderstanding Your Majesty may have about the Rebellion in Lotharingia. We do know that malvolent elements were spreading the news of Our death; We wish to inform Your Majesty that Our daughter and Us are alive and well; even though We were chased and pursued like criminals or animals, even though the leaders of the Rebellion offered a blood-money of 1500 livrés for the heads of Our daughter and Ours, in spite of all difficulties, We managed to escape, and finally found sanctuary in the loyal town of Saint-Claude, where We have unfurled Our colours, determined to fight the Rebellion, the régicides.

Now let Us recite the true history of the Rebellion. On the night of October 6th, in A.D. MCDLIII, the armies of Comte Charles de Nevers took Dijon by treachery. On the same night, the very same Count of Nevers murdered Our husband, Louis de Berry, by the grace of God King of Lotharingia, Prince du Sang de France, in cold blood. Our daughter and Us were forced to exile. The leaders of the Rebellion, the régicides, the murderers of King Louis, are: Comte Charles of Nevers, currently usurping the nonsensical title ‘Grand Duc de Bourgogne’; Jean d’Artois, the outlaw, son of the rebel Maximillien d’Artois; and a swindler, a certain Benjamin, a German Jew from Alsace, posing as the late Prince Philippe de Berry, usurping the title ‘Roi de Lotharingie’.

We, Anne, Regent of the rightful Queen of Lotharingia, call Your Majesty, uncle of the daughter of Ours, to help and aid Us now, in the hour of need. In the way Your Majesty and Our first husband fought the barbarism, now Your Majesty and Us should fight the usurpers, the accursed régicides who laid violent hands on their properly crowned and anointed King. As a faint sign of Our limitless gratitude, We would be ready to promise Our daughter, Queen Marie II de Berry of Lotharingia, to the Dauphin, this way binding the two branches of the House de Valois together again.

Furthermore, We heard rumours saying that Your Majesty, beliveing that the line de Bourbon-Berry has failed, declared the Duchy of Montpellier a reverted fief. Now, however, on behalf of Our daughter, We lay claim on the said Duchy.

We await the reply of Your Majesty with great expectations. Please use the very same very courier.


Written by her own hand in Sainte-Claude, on the 18th day of December, A.D. MCDLIII,

Anne​

Princesse Impériale, Reine de Lotharingie, Duchesse de Bourgogne et du Piémont, tutrice de sa très chère fille, Sa Majesté Marie II de Berry, par la Grâce de Dieu Reine de Lotharingie, Duchesse de Bourgogne, Duchesse de Montpellier et de Savone, Comtesse de Montpensier, de Chiavaire, d’Impérie, etc. etc.

 

[unmerged(18481)]

À Sa Majesté Louis XI de France, par la Grâce de Dieu Roi, Comte de Paris et du Val de Beck, Seigneur d’Asti, Chevalier de la Jarretière.


Your Majesty, also as Our cher cousin by marriage,

While Your Majesty’s offer of sanctuary We greatly appreciate, We fear We must decline this noble proposal. We are reluctant to leave Our realm, We are reluctant to leave Our loyal subjects and well-beloved vassals to their fate in this hour of need, when peril ravages the Realm. However, Your Majesty’s offer of protection We do humbly accept: We would be most grateful if Your Majesty would send a number of men-at-arms and volunteering noblemen to Our aid through the Lyonnais, as soon as possible. Furthermore, We are in need of money, as the Royal Treasury fell to the rebels. Perhaps Your Majesty could advance Us gold and silver, and maybe military equipment, so that We could equip the peasants We have called to arms [anchorlink=piemnota]*[/anchorlink].

The impostor claiming to be the late Prince Philippe is indeed from Alsace, from Stassbourg, to be precise. His father was the one letting Us know about his true identity, for he could not endure that his son has erred this terribly. About Duc Charles de Wittelsbach, about his stance, We do not know anything, but We would not want to make hasty conclusions merely because a subject of his has gone astray.

Your Majesty’s words of condolences We appreciate. Three of Our children have died during Our flight. The loss of Ours is great. But right now We have no time to mourn. Now we have a war to fight.


Written by her own hand in Saint-Claude, A.D. MCDLIV,

Anne​

Princesse Impériale, Reine de Lotharingie, Duchesse de Bourgogne et du Piémont, tutrice de sa très chère fille, Sa Majesté Marie II de Berry, par la Grâce de Dieu Reine de Lotharingie, Duchesse de Bourgogne, Duchesse de Montpellier et de Savone, Comtesse de Montpensier, de Chiavaire, d’Impérie, etc. etc.



[anchor=piemnota]_________________[/anchor]
* OOC: France would contribute 1 eco to an event that would give Piemonte more Landmils. But this is merely a sudden idea, and maybe nothing will come of it at all. So it’s possible everything would be for RP-purposes only.