NationStates Jolt Archive

"Confiteor Deo omnipotenti, beatae Mariae semper Virgini, beato Michaeli Archangelo, beato Joanni Baptistae, sanctis Apostolis Petro et Paulo, omnibus Sanctis, et tibi Pater: quia peccavi nimis cogitatione verbo, et opere: mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. Ideo precor beatam Mariam semper Virginem, beatum Michaelem Archangelum, beatum Joannem Baptistam, sanctos Apostolos Petrum et Paulum, omnes Sanctos, et te Pater, orare pro me ad Dominum Deum Nostrum."
The chanting of the Archbishop of Rheims filled the packed cathedral. Lords from all over France were gathered here in this church. King Louis knelt attentively, his gaze rapturously transfixed as he stared heavenwards. King Philip appeared to outwardly concentrate on the Mass, but inwardly he allowed his mind to wander. He thought about his address to the lords which would follow. It was an event which would make or break his kingdom. Even with the Archbishop of Rheims at his side, close to every lord in France at his mercy in the cathedral, and two hundreds of his most loyal vassals in the side chapel, things could easily stand or fall on the words of any lord who wished to challenge him. He was not a very popular king, nor a powerful one, he knew. Even in the royal demesne, he held only nominal control. Today would change that. He sighed slightly, not letting his nervousness show, and returned his attention to the Mass. He would need the strength from God to pass him through this ordeal, which he prayed would show the sacrality of his crown. He joined in with the rest of the congregation as they forgave the priest his transgressions.
"Misereatur tui omnipotens Deus, et dimissis peccatis tuis, perducat te ad vitam aeternam."

Crown Prince William Rufus of Normandy and England listened to the Mass with his head bowed.

He had been given diplomatic discretionary powers from his father King William the Conqueror, and had two goals in mind: One, to navigate the sticky international channels caused by his nation both being a vassal and peer of France, and two, to secure French assistance in the Scottish war.

Jean D'Gascony, younger brother of the southern duke and now both a hostage of the King Filip and the duke's representative in the Mass, sat next to the English representative, Prince William Rufus, and as the Jesus-people were making such a noise (Jean wasn't really a religious guy) he saw the opportunity good for whispering with a smile to the man on his left side, who didn't seem to be too interested neither;

"Am I the only one damn' bored to this?"

Philip and Louis turned almost as one as the quiet whisper of the person to their right distracted them from the Holy Mass. It was Jean, Count of Toulouse, little more than a boy. Louis barely restrained himself from lunging at Jean, but Philip merely looked at him sternly. Inside, he was chuckling. The Mass had gone on for far too long already, it seemed even to him. He was nervous, afraid, and longing to be done with it. To a mere stripling, for the first time outside of his brother's duchy, it must seem even more so, with the delights of the Kings' court to be experienced. Nonetheless, disturbing Mass was a heinous crime in the eyes of many, including the religious Louis, so Philip could hardly look supportive in front of his son. The Mass was drawing to a conclusion. Soon the time would come.
"In principio erat Verbum et Verbum erat apud Deum, et Deus erat Verbum. Hoc erat in principio apud Deum. Omnia per ipsum facta sunt, et sine ipso factum est nihil quod factum est; in ipso vita erat, et vita erat lux hominum; et lux in tenebris lucet, et tenebrae eam non comprehenderunt."

OOC: I've seated Jean closer to Philip than Rufus, because as heir apparent to the County of Normandy, he is lon a par with the Count of Toulouse, but Jean is now his ward. Or is it a carefully calculated snub? Also, the Mass is the Tridentine Mass of 1962, not an authentic Latin Mass from 1092, so I apologise for the slight liberty taken. If anyone can point me in the direction of an authentic 11th century Mass... <hehe> The next phase of the Mass will probably come on Wednesday - I need to plan everything out fully. Til then all!

OOC: Dude, that wasn't fair! When I say whisper, it is whisper what I mean :rolleyes: The idea was not to get everybody mad to the lad, just to get some interaction with the Englishman... Could you make it so that the whisper was heard only by the king, or couple of persons? Not the whole damn church!

OOC: Dude, that wasn't fair! When I say whisper, it is whisper what I mean :rolleyes: The idea was not to get everybody mad to the lad, just to get some interaction with the Englishman... Could you make it so that the whisper was heard only by the king, or couple of persons? Not the whole damn church!

OOC: I thought that he was talking to me... It mightn't have been apparent, but I only had Philip, Louis, Rufus, and perhaps a couple of others hear him. Perhaps rent the stillness was a bit loud-sounding... I shall rephrase it. The next part shall come tomorrow...

I hope the new way is OK? And I hope you don't mind that I assumed Jean was Count of Toulouse and was young - what age is he? I was assuming about 16...

Jean D'Gascony, younger brother of the southern duke and now both a hostage of the King Filip and the duke's representative in the Mass, sat next to the English representative, Prince William Rufus, and as the Jesus-people were making such a noise (Jean wasn't really a religious guy) he saw the opportunity good for whispering with a smile to the man on his left side, who didn't seem to be too interested neither;

"Am I the only one damn' bored to this?"
Prince William smiled. He himself was not a very religious man, and though he accepted the mass as necessary, more looked forward to the politicking afterward. "You are not, my friend," he very quietly whispered back. "Our two nations have much to discuss, but I suggest we leave it until after the mass."

King Philip's internal good mirth faded as he saw William Rufus' lips move slightly. This behaviour, which also affronted the dignity of the Holy Church, was highly worrying. Gascony and Normandy were his chief worries in France, one controlled by a King his father had fought, and the other by a man whose loyalty he doubted. His brow furrowed. Soon the die would be cast. Soon France would know who its true ruler was.

OOC: Tomorrow, the speech...

The Mass ended. Philip drew in a deep breath, and rose, walking slowly, calmly, regally, to the front of the cathedral. It was only a few steps' distance, but it felt like an eternity. He mounted the pulpit, and began to speak to the congregation.
"Lords of France. We are your Kings, by the grace of God Kings of the Western Franks, Philippe and Louis, Dukes of Francia. You are Our vassals.
"For many years, some of you have attempted to expand your authority at the expense of Out munificence, taking advantage of Our mercy. You have even dared to oppose Us in Our own duchy. Well, no more.
"Today, all of you have a choice. You may swear fealty to Us, reaffirming your bond, and submit to Our will, or you may choose to die. No longer shall We tolerate rebels in Our land. Our mercy is at an end.
"Come forward now, and swear fealty. I call on first my strongest and most loyal duke, William of Aquitaine, to swear fealty to Us."
William and Louis arose at the same time and walked forward. William knelt in front of Philip and Louis.
"I wish to be your vassal, King Philip, King Louis," he said, placing his hands between those of his kings. "From this hour henceforth I, William, son of William, by Your grace Duke of Aquitaine, will be faithful to you, King Philip and King Louis, by true faith and without mischievious intent, as a man should be to his lord and without any will to deceive, and I shall render unto you those services which you desire. I swear this by the relics of the saints of this cathedral, and should I break this oath I call on God and the Vicar of Rome to find me anathema and excommunicate me." He kissed the King's ring, then rose. Philip smiled.
"Now We call on all Our lords to swear fealty to Us."
It took an hour for the lords to all swear fealty. Philip kept a close eye on Jean and William Rufus. He had asked one of his lords to sit behind the two and keep watch on them. Finally, the procession was finished.
"Jean, Count of Toulouse, Our ward, we have not asked you to swear fealty to us yet. This we shall do later, when we talk. William Rufus, Prince of England, I have not asked you to swear fealty, as your are not yet a prince of my realm. Now, we shall talk. Arise, and follow me. Lords of France, go in peace this blessed day as my men, one and all."

The Prince rose and followed the King, interested in what he wished to say.

The Prince rose and followed the King, interested in what he wished to say.

Philip turned to Rufus, smiling, as they filed into the vestibule. "Good to be back to civilisation, is it not, Rufus? It has been too long. Perhaps tomorrow, after this sacred day, you would like to ride to hunt with me again? But first, we have much to talk about. We need to examine the matter of England. Your father is Duke of Normandy, no? And did he not expand his duchy into England? I must hear your thoughts on this. But I must first tend to my feisty ward."
Philip turned to Jean. "It would befit one of my most important counts to show a little more respect for the sanctity of Holy Mass, would it not? You hold your office through me, and indirectly from God, and so you must show more respect to He who gave you your noble blood and noble title. You have much to learn, which is why you are here. Your brother feels that you can learn how to serve your king best by coming to me. I agree. Now, I shall ask you to show your fealty, by swearing to me the same oath the lords of France have already sworn."

"I deeply apologize, Your Majesty. I do not know what went in me. I just realized something and before I could stop it, my tongue was already moving..." The young man said, looking the king straight in the eyes. Then, slowly, continuosly staring the man in front of him, he kneeled and simply said. "On behalf of myself and my Duke and brother Jaqcues, I promise to stay loyal to the legal crownholder of France, approved and appointed byt the God allmighty." He kissed the kings ring, and stood up.

"Thank you, Jacques. I realise the impetuousness of youth - I was once young and hot-headed like you, and made many foolish and unworthy mistakes. But we must fulfil our duty to God, and try to serve as well as we can.
"However, if you wish to hold your benefice, I must ask you to swear an oath of vassalage to me. Every other lord in the land has sworn it, you must too."
Philip looked down at the proud young man, seeing the hint of defiance in his eyes. With strength inside him that could make him face his king so boldly, Jacques could be a loyal friend or dangerous enemy, depending on which way he turned now.

OOC: And Happy Christmas to everyone in th Real World (TM)!

Philip turned to Rufus, smiling, as they filed into the vestibule. "Good to be back to civilisation, is it not, Rufus? It has been too long. Perhaps tomorrow, after this sacred day, you would like to ride to hunt with me again? But first, we have much to talk about. We need to examine the matter of England. Your father is Duke of Normandy, no? And did he not expand his duchy into England? I must hear your thoughts on this."
"Indeed it is an interesting quandary, Your Majesty. King William, as you know, is near death, and has bequeathed the Duchy of Normandy to Robert Curthose, while I inherit the Crown of England. Nonetheless, for the time being, it appears we are both your vassal and your equal."

Philip turned to Rufus, smiling, as they filed into the vestibule. "Good to be back to civilisation, is it not, Rufus? It has been too long. Perhaps tomorrow, after this sacred day, you would like to ride to hunt with me again? But first, we have much to talk about. We need to examine the matter of England. Your father is Duke of Normandy, no? And did he not expand his duchy into England? I must hear your thoughts on this."
"Indeed it is an interesting quandary, Your Majesty. King William, as you know, is near death, and has bequeathed the Duchy of Normandy to Robert Curthose, while I inherit the Crown of England. Nonetheless, for the time being, it appears we are both your vassal and your equal."

Philip cursed. Rufus had not acknowledged that England was part of Normandy, and thus subject to France. Nonetheless, he had accepted that Normandy was subject to the French King.
"Indeed, so it appears. What do you suggest we do, Prince of England?"

Philip cursed. Rufus had not acknowledged that England was part of Normandy, and thus subject to France. Nonetheless, he had accepted that Normandy was subject to the French King.
"Indeed, so it appears. What do you suggest we do, Prince of England?"
"Well, obviously you wish for all of our lands to be under the rule of France, while we wish for all our lands to be under our own sovereignty only. Nonetheless, we are willing to compromise. What do you say you acknowledge Normandy as part of England, and we sign a close alliance? We know that we would appreciate assistance in the Scottish war, and there are rumours of your attention coming to the Holy Roman Empire."

"Well, obviously you wish for all of our lands to be under the rule of France, while we wish for all our lands to be under our own sovereignty only. Nonetheless, we are willing to compromise. What do you say you acknowledge Normandy as part of England, and we sign a close alliance? We know that we would appreciate assistance in the Scottish war, and there are rumours of your attention coming to the Holy Roman Empire."
Philip barely masked his surprise. Obviouly the English spies were good, as such a possibility had only been mentioned to his closest allies. He thought quickly.
"That is acceptable to me, but on two conditions. You shall give back to the Count of Anjou the County of Maine, and shall pay a scutage of ten thousand livres tournois to make up for the loss of the levy of Norman knights."

As Rufus hummed and hawed, and Jacques stared at him proudly, Philip grew incensed. The impudence of his vassals not to answer him immediately! He was tired of waiting. Turning to Louis, he said, "Have these two escorted to the guest rooms in the nearby castle. They are to be closely watched, but treated chivalrously. If they are willing to answer me or they will be ransomed, then they shall be released. And now, my son, I must attend to that other matter which we discussed."
Philip strode back out into the cathedral, where most of his nobles were, still praying or talking in small group. His return caused silence to fall throughout the massive cathedral. He mounted the lectern.
"To the east lies Germany, home of the Western Franks. Once that land was under Our forebear Charlemagne and his line. Now that its kings have fallen into abeyance and there is no emperor to protect Christendom, We feel that it is Our duty to claim the throne to protect the Franks. We have written to the Pope asking for his blessing in Our endeavour, and hope that he might crown Us at the soonest opportunity, so that We might better defend the Church. There shall be great opportunities in Germany for those who are loyal to Us. Minor nobles became dukes and kings less than a generation ago, and now We shall offer you the same chance."
The cathedral erupted into cheers.

LETTER TO THE POPE:
Your Holiness,
France has always been a friend to Mother Church. Never has she had to suffer the terrible excesses of the Normans or the Germans by France's hands. Nowhere else is the church entirely free from lay investiture and kingly interference in elections, simoniac things which We know are displeasing to your eyes. And so We ask your blessing in our claim to the throne of Germany Since that line has fallen into abeyance, Mother Church has been without a husband, without a strong man to protect her from heathens and heretics. We would be that man. We beg you most humbly to allow Us to visit you in Rome and to receive the crown from your most blessed hand, that We might better defend Our Christian brethren and Mother Church.
Philippe et Louis, Rois de France, Ducs de France