Rumors

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Quick advance of the Orangists

Currently the army of the Count of Egmont is gaining territory on all fronts, in the north Overijssel was fully conquered. The Count's Southren Army is besieging Nijmegen while the Northren Army has captured Apeldoorn and Deventer. Due too the quick advance it seems likely that Waldemar will leave the Capital for what it is and flee to Jülich to reorganise his army and try to defeat the Count of Egmont in a decisive battle. The Forces of the Count of Egmont call themselves Orangists while Waldemars henchmen call themselves the Blues.

 

[Syt]

A room in the Ducal castle in Schwerin

Flames are ablaze inside the fireplace, casting dancing shadows of the rooms interior against the walls. Two of these shadows belong to the most powerful men of Mecklenburg. One, rather jolly looking, with a thick beard and sparkling eyes, is Heinrich Claasen, mayor of Lübeck, chairman of the Hanseatic League. The other, a rather stout fellow, is Duke Johann III, ruler of Mecklenburg.

"Don't worry, things will go well at the Diet." Johann looks at the mayor as he speaks so, taking a swig from the jug of beer.
"So you keep telling me, My Lord", replies Claasen with a deep voice. "Don't forget our little deal."
"Don't unquiet yourself. Everything will be fine. But I cannot promise they will agree." Johann looks a bit unquiet himself.
Claasen nods. "If you just make your...our reasons clear, all will work out, I hope."
The Duke just nods.

 

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The Coup d’etat

In the royal chambers of king Juan II, sat the king and his most trusted aid, Alvaro de Luna. The sun had already gone down over Castille-Leon, it was even past midnight. Other gathered was Carlos de Torrellas - Duke of Najera, Prince Alessandro of Ugarte, Arias de Sequera – Count of Villafranqueza and Jullian Castellano – Count of Cabra.

King Juan had been banned from the royal court in Toledo by the guardian government, which had ruled the country for 13 years. And now when the king had reached his 15 birthday they had no right keeping on to the power, but they did – they decided that Juan had to wait until his 21 birthday. Juan had confronted his mother about this, and she had him sent to this distant castle, Medina de Pomar.

But during the past week, a lot of Juan II’s friends had gathered in secret at the castle, planing a coup d’etat in favour of Juan II. This is how it came to be that they were sitting in the royal chambers until after midnight, many days, which was not very common at the castle, since the commandant was an old man, and went of to bed early.

The young king was guarded by one of the regiments controlled by the Count of Peralada, who was foreign minister in the guardian government. They were to see that the king did not leave the castle, at all costs. And the conspirators knew that.

”What should we do with them when we have sized power”, the Prince Alessandro asked. ”We should have them all executed, for high treason”, the Count of Cabra said without thinking of the kings mother, and then when he saw his error and looked nervously on the king, realising that this could cost him his own head. But Alvaro de Luna saw the knot on the hose before it exploded, and used his renowned skill for diplomacy. “Well, persecute them for high treason in a court of Law, but Her Royal Majesty is of course above normal persons, since she is only elected by the grace of God, and I’m sure that’s what the Count of Cabra also thought when he presented his suggestion before Your Majesty…”

After much planning they had all agreed upon a ”solution” for the problem in hand. And decided to make the plans reality, once and for all. The killed one guard at the time, until so many had left this realm that it was possible to get safe out of the castle. It was a messy job, and the young king did not participate, since Alvaro de Luna, did not think it appropriate, for the king to kill his “own” soldiers. Not yet anyway, since they needed the support of regiments in Toledo, for their cause.

Hearing nothing, a night like all the others, is the perception that strikes the king, when he awaits Alvaro de Luna in his chambers. Though he is well aware of how many guards that have had their throat slashed by know, and he knells before the blessed mother and make a short pray:

”Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen /Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen.”

When Juan had finished his prayer, and looked up, he saw Count of Villafranqueza, awaiting his king in the doorway. “Arias come here”, the king said. And the Count moved towards the king. “I want you to have this” the king said, and handed the count a fabulous ring, with the seal of king Enrique III. “But your Majesty, I can’t possible accept this, it’s…” but then he was interrupted by the king: “Arias, you are not only my trusted friend, you are my 3rd cousin, we have known each other since the beginning of time, and what ever happens the following days, you shall know how much your king values your support”. “Your Majesty is to kind” the Count said. “Come on Arias, we can’t stay here and crumble” the king said with sparkle in his eye as he took his cloak and sword in one swift move and headed towards the door with a smile on his face. “I’m coming Juan”, the Count said and was struck by the kings happy mood, which not seldom had that effect.

The moved from every corner of the castle towards the stable, were fresh horses awaited them. They had to be quit because, there was still a high number of guards alive. Earlier that night the large piece of wood that kept the door to the inner gate closed, had been sawn off, or nearly anyway by Prince Alessandro. The easiest way now to get out of the castle would have been to the main entrance, but that would bring to much noise and alarm. The ideal way of this was if there, “departure” wasn’t known until the morning, so that they wouldn’t have to worry that the commandants, messenger would beat them to Toledo. To accomplish this they used an old tunnel, were they had to lead their horses to get out. The tunnel was built by one of the previous kings, who wanted it possible to get the knights out of the castle and able to attack the enemy in the back if ever the castle would be under attack.

It was at least one day journey to Toledo and they expected to be there around three in the morning, in three days from the present date. To not awake any suspicion they dressed like pilgrims, and only stopped on places were one of the conspirators were in power, like for example the Castle Castrourdiales, belonging to Count of Villafranqueza.

When entering Toledo, they hurried to the city residence of the Mendoza family, whom was abroad. It was a very early morning… The Royal Castle had just woken to life… It was time to act. They bribed the colonel in chief, so that he had the main regiments lined up on the courtyard of Military Command complex. There in front of all the waiting soldiers, a young man entered the gates on a white horse. He was dressed in armour with an ermine cloak on his back, and he had a golden crown on his head. The men was already aware of that the king, should make an entrance. But even so they were puzzled. They had imagine of a small child, barely able to take care of himself – because that was what the guardian government had spread as common fact. But that was not the young man they had before them, not at all that was for sure. And Juan, collected his voice and mind rode forth to the royal standard and kissed the flag and then begun his speak:

“My fellow countrymen!

On the throne sits a government which despises the Castillian-Leonian law, a government ho mocks our customs, our way of life, and the spirit of the State.
I appeal to you, each and everyone whom serves this noble regiments, to cast them out and restore the TRUE CASTILLE-LEON!”

Then the soldiers started to cheer and rushing forward and gathering around the king, and in the crowd the Archbishop of Toledo manage to get through so he stood just next to the king and shouted:

“Swear allegiance to Juan II, King by the Grace of God”.

When that was finished Juan rode out the gate and the soldiers followed him, and he rode towards the castle as the conspirators had planned earlier. When approaching the main gate of the Royal Palace, the guardian government had heard what happened, and had closed the gate and called on bowmen to the walls next to the gate, and up there amongst them stood the Count of Peralada.

The Soldiers of Juan, then made their bows ready, but the king said: “Hold your fire!” and continued with the following, addressing the man on the walls: “Any one of you who wants to shoot his king, this is the time!”

The Count of Peralada was hopping one of his bowmen would shoot the king, that would be an act of God he thought. But no such thing happened. So then he opened his mouth “Fire! In the Queen’s name I command you, Fire!”. But nothing happened this time either, and then suddenly, one of the bowmen, trough his bow over the wall so it landed next to the king’s feet. And then all the other followed his example, and in the noise, the Count of Peralada disappeared into one of the towers. Then the bowmen broke in to the room were the opening mechanism to the gate was located and opened the door. Juan rode into the Royal Palace, and all the soldiers followed him. There was little bloodshed, because the most palace guard surrendered immediately. And the six allied men, started to search the royal chambers, and the office of state. The found the Queen, Prince Fernando and some members of the government, but the Count of Peralada seemed to have slipped through.

The Queen was put under house arrest, in the north tower and the others were thrown in the dungeon, awaiting the law.

King Juan quickly installed him self in the royal suite, and started to look over the affairs of state with Alvaro de Luna by his side. One thing that had been left fore the fire was a non-aggression pact with Portugal. Another was a possible alliance with France. Juan couldn’t believe who ill fated the previous government was. This was important matters of State, and had to be dealt with immediately. But he also had to appoint a government, because doing everything by him self wouldn’t only be impossible, it would be ruin the health of anyone trying.

The next day, Juan, attended mass in the Cathedral, thanking God – for the good grace given to him. Now the enemies of Castille can start tremble again, for now we are a Nation to count on. Yes that we are indeed.

 

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A troop of Greek monks arrives in a Black sea port on the orders of the Emperor, demanding free passage through Mongol territory. They are on a embassy to Moscow, where they carry important messages for the Prince. On the way they plan to preach of loyalty to the Mother Church which is loyal to the Patriarch which is loyal to the Emperor, vice-regent of Christ on Earth and Equal to the Apostles. They go knowing that they face danger, as the Mongols have banned travel from the Empire to the Russian States.

 

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Patriarchal decree

OCC: For those of you who do not wish to read through all of this, the Patriarch, in response to the recent actions of the Khan of the Golden Horde, has called on the Russian people to rise in armed revolt from the tyranny of their Mongol oppresors. He also absolves the vassalage of the Russian states, currently claimed by the Horde. All Christians who perish in fighting the Horde get their sins absolved, very similar to the way the Catholics get their absolved if they die on a crusade.

His All Holiness Joseph II, servant of the servants of God, to his most beloved sons in Christ, Vasiliy, the illustrious Grand Prince of Muscovy and Semen, the wise Chairman of the Republic of Novgorod and to his beloved sons, the princes, and to all the faithful ones of God who are established throughout the lands of Russia, greetings and apostolic benediction.

How much our predecessors the Patriarchs of Rome did labour for the deliverance of the Christian church, we have learned from the accounts of the ancients and have found it written in their acts. For our predecessors of blessed memory, the brave missionaries and monks to Russia did sound, as it were, a celestial trump and did take care to arouse for its deliverance the sons and daughters of Russia from the ignorance of pagan idoltary. At their voices, indeed, those in Russia, inflamed by the ardour of love did come together, and, the divine aid being with them, did free from the filth of the pagans and idolters, and became one with Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Which, by the grace of God, and the zeal of your fathers, who at intervals of time have striven to the extent of their power to defend them and to spread the name of Christ in Russia against barbarians, have been retained by the Christians up to the years of the Sourge of God, styled Genghis and his hellspawn. But because of our sins and those of the people themselves requiring it, a thing which we can not relate without great grief and wailing, the lands of Russia have been taken and many, of the towns and cities of the Christians occupied by the barbarian scourge, who noe profess the faith of the False Prophet from the wastes of Arabia. The Khan of the Golden Horde, moreover, of this same barbarian scourge, together with his army of horselords and greedy advisors, have in Russia oppressed the Faithful, murdered the women and children, and the relics of the saints have been given over to the trampling under foot of the infidels, and dispersed. In addition, the Infidel Khan now forbids the Faith from prospering in Russia by forbidding Christian merchants and missionaries from going about their business. The Infidel horselords threaten the church of God and the whole of Christianity, as we both know ourselves and do not believe it to be hid from your prudence.

We exhort therefore all of you in God, we ask and command, and, for the remission of sins enjoin: that those who are of God, and, above all, the greater men and the nobles do manfully gird themselves; and that you strive so to oppose the multitude of the Mongol infidels, who rejoice at the time in a victory gained over us, and so to defend the Christian church -freed from their tyranny by so great an outpouring of the blood of your fathers, as we have said, - and to snatch many thousands of your captive brothers from their hands,- that the dignity of the Christian name may be increased in your time, and that your valour which is praised throughout the whole world, may remain intact and unshaken. May that the past heroes of Russia be as examples to you, who, to preserve the laws of their fathers, did not in the least doubt to expose themselves with their sons and relations to death, and to leave whatever he possessed in the world; and who at length, by the help of the divine aid, after many labours however, did, as well as their progeny, manfully triumph over their enemies.

We absolve now and forever, the vassalage owed by Muscovy, Suzdal, and Ryazan to the Golden Horde. We, moreover, providing with paternal solicitude for your tranquillity and for the destitution of the Christians of Russia, do grant and confirm by the authority conceded to us of God, to those who by the promptings of devotion do decide to undertake and to carry through so holy and so necessary a work and labour, that remission of sins, and do decree that their wives and sons, their goods also and possessions shall remain under the protection of our selves and of the exarchs, bishops and other prelates of the church of God. By the apostolic authority, moreover, we forbid that, in the case of any thing, which they possessed in peace, when they took the cross, any suit be brought hereafter until most certain news has been obtained concerning their return or their death. Moreover since those who war for the Lord should by no means prepare themselves with precious garments, nor with provision for their personal appearance, nor with dogs or hawks, other things which portend licentiousness: we exhort your prudence in the Lord that those who have decided to undertake so holy a work shall not strive after these things, but shall show zeal and diligence with all their strength in the matter of arms, horses and other things with which they may fight the Mongol infidels. But those who are oppressed by debt and begin so holy a journey with a pure heart, shall not pay interest for the time past, and if they or others for them are bound by an oath or pledge the matter of interest, we absolve them by apostolic authority. It is allowed to them also when their relations, being warned, or the lords to whose fee they belong, are either unwilling or unable to advance them the money, to freely pledge without any reclamation, their lands or other possessions to churches, or ecclesiastical persons, or to any other of the faithful. According to the institution of our aforesaid predecessors, by the authority of almighty God, we grant such remission and absolution of sins, that he who shall devoutly begin so sacred a journey and shall accomplish it, or shall die during it, shall obtain absolution for all his sins which with a humble and contrite heart he shall confess, and shall receive the fruit of eternal retribution from the Remunerator of all.

Given at Constantinople, Februrary, Year of Our Lord 1419 (of the Western Calendar).

 

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The chairman of the republic of Novgorod had just managed to persuade the council to join the league of St. Andrew. As an archbishop he and all the priests and monks were overjoyed at being in an alliance consisting of orthodox states. The merchants that were the other important powerhouse in the republic were not as happy as the Archbishop though. "This will lead to a war! And wars are never good for trade!" Their leaders said. The mighty merchants had at first accepted to idea of an alliance but now they regretted doing so. As they now were quite upset they tried to bloc every decision in foreign policies. "Every decision has to be very well considered and we will not take any decisions in haste now!"they said. Thus all diplomats who were on their way to foreign courts were recalled since the council demanded that every move had to be very carefully thought-over. No diplomatic activity could be done for quite some time.
(OOC: This might be totally ahistorical but I needed to come up with something. I will not be able to answer your pm:s or posts for two days and I still haven't answered some of the ones you have sent. Sorry, mates!)

 

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Clarification

My brothers in Christ, the legal experts have interpreted His All Holiness' decree of recent days, and wishes to put any of your inquiries at ease.

His All Holiness wishes to make it known that the Golden Horde, which is a hellish and despicable blot upon the sacred lands of Russia, is no longer the legal overlords of the Christian people that they govern, and that the aforementioned populace are encouraged to cast off the shackles of the Tartar yoke by force of arms. His All Holiness adds that any Russian states which in the past have sworn fealty and vassalage to the Khan due to the Horde's conquest of Russia centuries ago, are absolved of their vassalage in the eyes of God and His Church.

As Muscovy and Novgorod are the most organized and capable of the Orthodox states in Russia at the moment, their leaders are urged to go on a holy war to liberate their Orthodox bretheren from the Infidel if the Horde persists in their persecution and slaying of the Faithful. In the event of war with the Golden Horde, all Orthodox nations will recieve the benefits detailed by the great authors, Saints Josef and Martin. Christians of the Latin creed, while His All Holiness can not guarantee their ascent into heaven the way that he can the Orthodox Faithful, will be viewed with much esteem and freindship in the eyes of God, His Church, and His All Holiness for their efforts against the Infidels from Mongolia, should they undertake a crusade for the liberation of their Eastern brothers.

His All Holiness would like to add that should any other soverign, sultan, or khan assist the Horde in casting down God's Church, they will be viewed as assisting the enemies of Christ and seek to destroy His Church on Earth, and will become Satan's ally; a scourge, not to be tolerated and negotiated with, but to be completely removed from the Earth.

 

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A proclimation of the Knights:

From this day forward, to combat the evil forces of the infidel alliance, the Aegean sea is hereby closed to all muslim shipping. Any ships flying the banner of muslim states will be sunk without warning. Issued this the 2nd of March, Anno Domine 1419 by Grand-Master Philibert de Naillac.

 

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PIRATES

The Danish Naval Minister enters the court with grave news, "My Lord Erik!"

"As you may know, filthy Vitalienbrüder have been practising their loathesome pirate trade around the region of the Sund and in the seas north of Germany for some time."

"One of our shipments of gold to France was hijacked by these pirates and we lost the monies aboard our ships!"
_______________

One of the two Danish econ points loaned to France is lost

 

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A young messanger rushes through the halls of the great palace. Years of piracy had left the Algerian palace's grande, but now news of trouble were wispered through it's walls. The young man tore dow a hallway, recieving some quick looks from some confused guards. The man turned and opened to large doors to the Sultan's dining room. Its ornate walls and table blended magnificently with the atmosphere of the palace. The Sultan looked up from his food as the man bowed his head.

"What is it?" he asked the young messanger who quickly walked to his side and kneeled beside him.

"Oh great Sultan, I have distressing news."
The Sultan half rolled his eyes, they always did that. If it was so bad why didn't the messanger just say it! "Continue."

"The Mercant ships that were sent to the Ottoman Turks never arrived, of the three that were sent one returned here."

"What?" The Sultan said, eyes going wide. He hadn't expected pirates. "Get the fleet ready, it looks like we have compitition."
"Sir, it is not a pirate fleet, we have not recieved word from our diplomats in Adrianople either, I believe sir that it is war."
"With whom?" The Sultan asked, already rising and leaving.

"I do not know..."

 

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The Claimant to the Throne....

Brother Demetrios stepped off of his galley on to the pleasant shore of the Greek island of Lemnos. He let the war Aegean air blow through his hair for a moment, and savored the warm sun beating down on his face. He was here on buisness, as well as for pleasure.

He entered the gates of an old monastary, which became more important for the Roman Empire a few years ago due to a very important guest of the Emperor. After greeting his brother monks, he traversed up the narrow stairs, and knocked on an old cyprus door, much older than he. A gruff voice bid him to enter.

Demetrios entered the rather plush room. It was small, as most rooms in monestaries are, but laden with precious silks and ornaments fit for a nobleman. Demetrios hung his traveller's robe on a peg on the wall, noticing that the guest of the Emperor was seated at a small round table across from him, sipping at a clear liquid. From the stale smell of the room, the monk guessed that the room's occupant was sampling the wares of the monestary's distillery once again. The man, fairly unimpressive in frame, was more swarthy than Demetrios's flesh was. His beard was also darker and thicker, his face adorned with golden jewlry.

"Good day, Prince Mustafa," Demetrios began cordially, taking a seat across from the Turk. "Have you heard the news from across the sea?"

The Turkish prince had fled the Ottoman Empire when his older brother Mehmed ascended the throne in 1402, after the defeat and humiliation of Bayezid I, since the custom of the Sultans was to have all immediate relatives strangled with the bowstring, to prevent any claimants to the throne, and thus challenges to the Empire's Stability. Mustafa would have had none of that, so sought asylum in the Roman Empire, much to Mehmed's frustration.

The Roman Emperor gleefully accepted tribute from the Sultan to keep Mustafa's door locked for years.

Having been a guest of the Roman Emperor for over a decade, Mustafa had eagerly awaited the day when he might return to the Ottoman Empire and assert his authority over the House of Osman. And now with his brother Mehmed and his chosen sucessor Murad both dead, he was next in line for the Ottoman throne.

"Did not some of the military choose the Aga of the Janisaries to be the next Sword of Allah? A slave, no matter how distinguished in the eyes of the former Sultan, can not and should not be the head of the Sublime Porte!" Mustafa downed the remiander of his goblet of uzzo, the firey liquid leaving a spicy trail down his throat. He was a devout Moslem, but years of exile in Greece led him to develop some of the habits and customs of his hosts.

"I am a Ghazi!" he bellowed, his cheeks flushed with drink.

"Of course you are," Demetrios smiled. "and you will soon prove it to all who doubt your word when you return home."

Mustafa blinked a moment. "Home?"

Demitrios smiled once again, passing a small note to the Ottoman prince. "Yes, best of men. This paper is a legal record of the death of your brother and Murad, leaving you sole claimant to the House of Osman and your nation. Preperations are underway to take you safely home."

Mustafa doubted that things were that simple. Am I to be the Trojan Horse for these Greeks? "What of the army? They are loyal to their new illegal Sultan? And the people; would they recognize me as the true heir?"

Demetrios nodded. "Of course, Prince Mustafa. The lands of Turkey are chaos and anarchy right now. You will have but to walk on the shore, make your presence known, and the wonders and riches of the Sultanate will be yours. Not to mention the delights of the Sultan's harem."

The last sentence lit up Mustafa's eyes much more than any other offer the Greek monk could make.

"Besides," Demetrios continued, "should the current pretender to the throne challenge your authority, you will be bravely defended by Roman steel. Do not worry. All in good time, God will see you on the throne of the Ottoman Empire."

...and the Roman Empire with a loyal and grateful vassal, and Godwilling, more land that is rightfully ours. If anything else, the hovok this will cause the Ottomans will be worth it in and of itself! The Emperor's son has such brilliant schemes at times..."

 

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Crusade!

Joseph, Patriarch of Constantinople, servant of the servants of God, to all who are willing to defend the Christian faith, greeting and apostolic benediction.

We hereby inform you that the bearer of this letter, on his recent return from across the steppes of Russia, came to Constantinople to visit us. He repeated what we had heard from many others, that a pagan race had overcome the Christians and with horrible cruelty had devastated everything, and were now governing the conquered lands with tyrannical violence, and that they had slain many thousands of Christians as if they were but sheep. Despite our efforts to relieve our brethern of their bereitment, the Infidel and his allies have chosen to continue to wage war on God's Church and people. If we love God and wish to be recognized as Christians, we should be filled with grief at the misfortune of the lands of Russia and the murder of so many Christians. But simply to grieve is not our whole duty. The example of our Redeemer and the bond of fraternal love demand that we should lay down our lives to liberate them. "Because he has laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren," [1 John 3:16]. Know, therefore, that we are trusting in the mercy of God and in the power of his might and that we are striving in all possible ways and making preparations to render aid to the Orthodox Christians as quickly as possible. Therefore we beseech you by the faith in which you are united through Christ in the adoption of the sons of God, we admonish you that you be moved to proper compassion by the wounds and blood of your brethren and the danger of the aforesaid empire and that, for the sake of Christ, you undertake the difficult task of bearing aid to your brethren.

In Constantinople, March, Year of Our Lord 1419 (of the Western Calendar).

 

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Declaration on Asia Minor

Manuel II, Emperor of the Romans makes a Declaration on Asia Minor:
"Asia Minor is a region that has for the past 3,000 years been inhabitted by Hellenes, and for that past 2,000 years been inhabitted by Chirstians of the Eastern Orthodox Church. This region has been part of the Roman Empire for over a millenia, and only a few years ago was it overrun with the infidel Mohammedan Turks. The magnificent armies of the Romans shall drive away the Turks from Asia Minor and we shall reincorporate Asia Minor into our Empire. The infidel shall be driven away and once agian shall Christ reign over Asia Minor. The whole of Asia Minor shall once again be under the control of the Romans, either under the Paleologus or the Comnenus dynasty. May God grant us victory in our most holy war."

 

[Schlieffen]

*Ali bin Ahmed Hamed, disputed Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, sits in his throne-room with a rather small desk (for a Emperor ) in front of him. He is preparing some speaches and negotions to end the internal conflicts when a guard, the same guard that told him of the original Sultan's death, steps in.*
"Sultan!"
"What is it?"
"Sir... a Crusade..."
*Ali Hamed doesn't even looked mildly shocked. It's as if he has been expecting bad news ever since his coronation. All he does is sigh.*
"Who is it? The Byzantines and Trebizond?"
"Those are some of them."
*The Sultan winces.*
"Them?"
"Yes sir. It seems that many nations have joined them in their Crusade..."
*He winces again. He speaks in an almost wishful tone, as if to ask for a lesser doom than the one he already knows to be true.*
"(Dare I ask)... which other nations? All surrounding Orthodox territories?"
"Byzantium, Venice..."
*The Sultan bolts out of his chair. It seems that he finaly is shocked at the news.*
"VENICE?!? We signed a treaty of non-agression with those... those..."
"Sir? What treaty?"
"It was a private treaty. We even granted them military access to our nation... those dirty..."
*He begins to mumble. He has a look of hatred on his face that scares the guard back a few steps before he continues.*
"...what are your orders sir?"
*The Sultan sighs again, apparently regaining control.*
"Call all of the noble families for a meeting. Tell them that if they don't come... just make sure they come. The future of the Ottoman Empire is at sake."
"Yes sir!"
*After the guard leaves, the Sultan mutters:*
"Why Allah? Why couldn't the heir have lived?"



*Over 100 men sit around a large dining table. There is no food on the table, only a large map of the Ottoman Empire showing the control of the nobles. The Sultan enters. Many of the nobles refuse to bow and recieve an evil glare from the nobles that do bow.*
"Gentlemen, I'm sure that some of you have heard the news concerning our Empire."
*All of the nobles have confused looks on their faces. It would appear that the Sultan still gets news first in his own Empire.*
"You all apparently have not. I will inform you then: If we do not stop our bickering, the Ottoman Empire will die within the next five years."
*The looks of confusion only intensify.*
"Byzantium has declared a Crusade against us."
*Some of the nobles can barely hold back their laughter. The noble claiming to be a decendant of the original Sultan yells out:*
"This is what you called us here for? A small long-dead Empire declared war upon us and you want us to recognize your rule for that? I assume that is why we are here..."
*An frown crosses the face of the Sultan.*
"Venice has joined them."
*The man backs down with the same look of disbelief that covers the faces of the other nobles. The Sultan begins to speak again.*
"So, how many of you wish to be Byzantine citizens?"
*The hall is silent, partialy because of the shock.*
"Then you must at least attempt to work out a deal with me. If we don't do this, we will fall."

*Then the Sultan attempts to split up the Empire amongst the (attending) nobles in an attempt to gain the support of his own people in fighting the war to come...*
(OOC: Success to be determined by Allah. )

 

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The Dauphin was working at his office of the Louvre in Paris with the count de Clermont, Sénéchal de la maison de France.

"Monsieur le comte, what is the status of the treasury of France ?"

"We received 100 000 pounds from His Majesty the king of Denmark and 200 000 pounds should be delivered soon from the Queen of Naples. We have the sum of 700 000 pounds in the royal treasury, monseigneur."

"Very well, monsieur le comte. The treasury of France is full but I fear we will have to spend it in the war against the English and our cousin the duke of Bourgogne. Thank you, monsieur. Chamberlain, call the Connétable de Montmorency.

Monsieur, I will put under your command new recruits and a regiment of german mecenaries sent my the king of Denmark. The campaign against England will begin this spring and the king expect you to fully use your strategic talent. You must not forget you are going to fight the victor of Azincourt and that you carry the banner of law and justice with you."

"Yes, monseigneur. The English have a powerful and skilled army but they are far from their homeland and they do not have the people support. They will have problems to feed their troops. What I fear is that we have to fight a two fronts war against England and Burgundy. If only the king of Scotland would not have betrayed us and sold his people to the English."

"My cousin the duke of Bourgogne his ready to deny his nobility by recognizing Henry of Lancaster as king of France. As time passes, the fury of the death of his father will stop blinding him. I am sure he will then realize that if Henry V ever usurp the throne, he will become his vassal and servant. If only the Armagnacs and the Burgundians could settle their differences peacefully and unite against our common ennemy, England, like in the time of the good king Jean II and the duke of Bourgogne, Philippe II. Now, if the English win, it will be the fault of the french people. When the Cardinal Boivin will return from Rome, I shall ask him to pray for unity.

Your orders are in this envelope, monsieur de Laval."

François de Laval bows to the Dauphin and leave the Louvre.

 

[unmerged(1022)]

John V, paces his hallways with his cousin, Pierre Montfort, John’s trusted friend and sometime advisor.

After a few moments of silence, Pierre takes the initiative, “My cousin, your path of action is clear. By feudal law, you must obey your liege Henry V’s call to arms. Any other action will result in the breaking of the feudal agreement, a crime punishable by charges of treason.”
John, however, is recalcitrant. He sighs, and then speaks, “If only it were that simple, my cousin Pierre. By feudal law, I am obligated to obey my liege. However, I have sworn the oaths of vassalage towards King Charles VI as well. By feudal law, I must obey my liege, but by feudal law, I cannot take up arms against Charles VI, who is my liege as well. I love King Henry deeply, but I also love King Charles with the same strength. Furthermore, the Dauphin is my childhood friend.”
Pierre, however, is insistent, “King Charles is not worthy of love. His delegation has just destroyed with a single blow the careful plans for peace you set up my coz. For that, he must be crushed.”
John becomes extremely angry at Pierre’s rash judgment of Charles, and does not hesitate to say, “If you slander King Charles with another word, I promise that word will be your last. No age has ever known two men as great as King Henry and King Charles. No age has never known two men so masterful, kind to their subjects, loyal to their word, and strength to promote their cause. As for the council, I fear the devil played his part in the proceedings.”
Pierre is astonished by the last utterance of his cousin, “You mean the kings were influenced by the unholy one?”
John, with infinite patience says, “Think with your head Pierre. Can men as strong as Henry and Charles listen to the speech of the Devil? No, the devil could not have reached them directly, it is impossible. But their courtiers and nobles, that is another thing. Some of them are weak willed, and will succumb to evil for their own benefit. Then, the word is passed to the king, and that is how the devil played his hand, for God wanted peace. I am certain of it. Yet peace seems like a faint possibility now.”
Pierre says, “Then what will you do John?”
John says wearily, “I do not know, Pierre. To choose between these two men would have required the wisdom of the divine. Even the hundred most sagacious advisors would be divided evenly, fifty and fifty. Only God could solve this puzzle.”
Revelation suddenly hits him, and he grabs Pierre with joy. “That’s it cousin, I have found it! God is the only possible being to figure out the puzzle, and God will provide. I will go to prayer for two months and God shall provide.”
Pierre says “And if there is no revelation after two month’s time?”
John, “I have faith in God, Pierre.”
Pierre, still skeptical says, “But what if either side attacks us before the two months are up.”
John says, “I have complete faith in King Henry and King Charles VI. They will not attack me when I inform them of my actions and my reason behind it. Their vassals will not either on their command. Quick, messenger, send these two letters to King Charles of France and King Henry of England without the slightest delay.”

Letter to King Henry of England

Letter to King Charles of France

 

[Darth Tracid]

King Sigismund was sitting in his throne room, his commander in chief in front of him.
"General! I will tell you once again. These peasants can not defeat our army! They will be crushed, and Hungary will be ours again! And you will lead them into battle, for the glory of Luxembourg! The rebels will surely march on the capital now, so you must hurry to assemble your forces there. Go at once, and do not fail me!"

The general bowed and left his king with a wary look on his face. "He will be the end of us all", he mumbles.

 

[Darth Tracid]

Rojan I. Premyslid was sitting on his horse, standing on a hill above his marching army. They had set of for the capital after they had secured Maros and Ruthenia, and he was convinced that taking the Capital would end the reign of Sigismund.
The rebellion was going well. They outnumbered the remaining romanian and luxembourgian army 3 to 2, and he was confident that he could beat them.

He shook of the thought and looked down on his soldiers, then stirred his horse and rode down to lead his army into victory.

 

[unmerged(5652)]

Preperations

Erik walked through the castle halls of Elsinore, he passed servents and soliders all busily at work prepareing for the coming council. Elsinore was Erik’s favourite royal residence that he owned, it was close to the Oresund and helped control the important straits but it was also a small and homely castle of old design and stood next to the town of Helsingvor it was where Erik liked to escape to when the world of politics and intruige became to much for him, it was his home ground.
He climbed the stairs which led to the south tower, he entered the battlement of the tower and dismissed the two guards who were there, it was a fresh day, the wind blew strong but Erik liked that it gave him a cleansing feeling. He looked down from the tower and onto the busy and now overcrowded streets of Helsingvor and he smiled to himself, he had picked Elsinore as the location for the council meeting for other reasons than the fact that he liked the place. Because Elsinore was so small there was little or no room for many of the nobles from all over the union, in fact Erik had even had some of the rooms of the castle closed so they could not be used and had stabled extra horses from his own stock just so none of the nobles could use the royal stables, why did he do this? Mainly because it amused him to see the haughty nobles of Danmark, Norge and Sverige scrabble in the dirty streets over the few available rooms for rent in the small dirty town, but also because he disliked many of the nobles he now looked down upon from his tower while they scurried through the muddy narrow streets of the town looking for lodgings, these nobles who pestered him day and night, these nobles whom thwarted his every move and plan, these nobles who looked for more power everyday in order to make the king a king in name only.
Well at least the towns people will make profit from this
Erik thought to himself as he turned and decended from the tower back into the castle and headed towards his private quarters.

Erik entered his private rooms and found his loyal advisor the Holstien Jew Melchinor waiting for him. Erik had met Melchinor many years ago while he was still a teen and had instantly struck up a friendship. Melchinor had been one of the few men to be honest with Erik, he told him when he was wrong and provided invaluable advise but most of all he was a friend. The nobles of the court hated the Kings favourite, because he held the Kings ear and because he was a Jew, many of the court even believed that Erik was being influenced by the Devil because the King was so tolerant of these people.

Erik = Are they all here yet?

Melchinor = Most of them sire, some Norwegian nobles have still to arrive but nearly everyone is here.

Erik = Good, good now down to business, first what dispatches have come in?
Melchinor = Not good news sire, we lost some of the monies we sent to France to aid them in their war with Burgandy and England to Pirates.

Erik = What! God damn their soles to hell, why is the navy not doing it’s job in clearing the seas of these bandits, Damn I will have Admiral Nielsens hide for this.

Melchinor = Maybe we should have combined sea patrols with our neighbours sire?

Erik = Good point Johan, I will bring it up with the diplomats of Mecklenburg and the Tuetons, did the rest of the monies and troops get through?

Melchinor = Yes sire, although I fear the English and Burgdinians will not be happy, esspicaly the English.

Erik = Why? because I am married to a Plantangent? So what? I have no treaties with them, as for the Burgdinians well no one in northern Europe wishes them to become to strong as it upsets the balance of power, I have just done what everyone wishes to do, anyway enough of this, what is done is done, next?

Melchinor = The Swedish question sire?

Erik = The Swedes, the Swedes……What to do with the Swedes, they seem to forget they accepted me as their King in Kalmar but still they whine about everything, taxes, Royal favours, land, everything. However Johan I believe I have a way quieten them, I will offer the position of Viceroy of Sweden to a noble of Swedish decent to be elected by the Swedish nobles and approved by myself. This man will govern Sweden in my name and will answer to me, this I hope will appease the Swedes, why they cannot be like the Norwegians good loyal subjects of the crown? I fear they will be a thorn in myside always, Next problem Johan.

Melchinor = The Danish nobles sire, they still demand more power of estate and they wish us to create a permanent council of Nobles in Kobenaven , a Riksdag I believe is what they call it.

Erik = They constantly try and hamstring me Johan, do I have any other option Johan?

Melchinor = I fear not Sire, not without rebellion in the land.

Erik = Then they will have their Riksdag in Kobenhaven but I will also set up the Royal Seat of Power their also, I cannot trust these men Johan, I must keep them close to me, they will have a council but I willkeep the power. Now anything more?

Melchinor = No sire, that is all we have for now, other matters may come up in the council meeting but I believe nothing to serious.

Erik = Good then, I will get some rest and then we shall hold this council of the union and see what we face, Gooday Johan.

Melchinor bowed and left the King too brood over what they had discussed,

When will these accursed Nobles let me Rule the way I need to.

Thought Erik as he layed upon his bed and went to sleep.

 

[unmerged(7434)]

After the mass at the private chapel of the king, the Dauphin met the Chancelier of the King's Council, Charles, count de Guise.

"Monsieur le comte, the armies of France departed today from Paris toward east. I have to convince the duke of Burgundy to join his force with the royal army against England. Once the french will be rallied under the royal banner, our campaign against England shall begin."

"But, Monseigneur, this is true the armies of Burgundy are inferior to yours but England has a formidable force at their disposal and I fear that while you force Burgundy to peace, Northern France will be ravaged by the English."

"Alas, victory has a price, dear count. Even if it costs us Paris, even if Henry of Lancaster dares to enter the greatest city of Western Europe, unity of the french shall prevail. This civil war will finish and if the price to pay is Paris, the French will fight united to retake it later. Monsieur le comte, I want that you prepare the court to move south if the English army enter the capital while the royal armies are submitting the Burgundians. All must be prepared for a quick evacuation."

"Yes, Monseigneur."