The House of Lords.

[Gandalfus]

The House of Lords. Where all the nobles of England meet to discuss things ranging from formalising the Succesion, or coming up with war plans. Usually the day to day affairs of the Kingdom are discussed here.


ALL ADMITTED MEMBERS:

Countess Camille de Warenne of Surrey
Baron James Young of Dover
Baron William McGregor
Edward, Prince of Wales
Sir Gilroy Blackburn
Earl Harys Lynnaugh of Carmarthen

[Raglan]

The newly made Duke of Oxford arrives. He is still wearing rough spun peasant clothing - blobs of Irish blood staining it still - as he has had no chance to do anything about it.

[Gandalfus]

He is seated on the council.

[Barbarian Nobility]

Duke Longmember arrives, resplendant in flowing red and black satins...Gone are the filthy wares of a starving hedge knight...Duke Longmember smiles at the King as he enters, a brand new gold tooth sparkling some how in the dark room. He bows deeply, before taking a seat and helping himself to an absurdly large glass of wine...

[Gandalfus]

He sat.
The first order of the day is the Succesion. Is it agreeable that my son Edward shall succeed me and be named Ætheling ?

[Raglan]

John was still unsure about being a noble, so simply nods. His confidence in using his power still rather low. Though he wonders to himself why the saxon name.

[Gandalfus]

He sighs.
It means heir.
OOC: most of the commoners at this time would still be saxons

[Barbarian Nobility]

Edward too scratched his head, unsure as to why the King was using the archaic language of the conquered people when they were all Normans...

Aye, tis natural that the son should suceed the father. But I believe there are more pressing issues to be discussed. Your Crown is far from secure Majesty, have we received word from the Scots or the French?

[Gandalfus]

He shakes his head.
No, we have not. The scots remain on the borders, raiding. The French are simply Keeping to themselves. I think it would be wise to expand against the scots. The sooner this Isle is English, the better.

[Barbarian Nobility]

Something must surely be done to bring the bastards to heel your Grace, but tis much too soon to be campaigning again; the men are too long from home and the levies must be relinquished from service to bring in the crops. How else would such a campaign be funded? Mayhaps it would be most prudent to acheive some level of detente with the French? Marry off your son to one of the Roi's daughters? And seek some allies in Europe whilst we are at it...

[Gandalfus]

he nodded.
I could marry off my daughter. She is almost a woman after all.

[Barbarian Nobility]

Edward visibly recoiled at the King's suggestion...

Nay your Majesty, such a thing should be an invitation to calamity...what should happen if the male line of your family is extinguished? The French would have cassus belli to invade the Realm and claim it as their own...

[Gandalfus]

He thought.
Perhaps... I was thinking that she could be married to one of the Lords of the Realm in a few years time, when she is of age.

[Barbarian Nobility]

A much wiser proposition your Grace, as you say this could be organised in the not too distant future...But an alliance is something that should be arranged sooner rather then later. Have you considered when you shall send your embassy and where?

[Gandalfus]

He nodded.
Perhaps to the Holy Romans or France... Sould they French try anything rash the Holy Roman empire will bear down upon them if we are bound by alliance.

[Raglan]

Marriage is something that we should all likely consider. Somehow we seem to be the largest of the nobles in here. And i have no wife or heir. I do not know if you others do, but it should be encouraged.

John didn't really know much about affairs of state, but was fairly certain that who married who was oft of interest to the nobles. Or so common gossip often had it.

[Barbarian Nobility]

I must concur with Duke Oxfords motion, the Dukes of the Realm should be married and it would make sense that one of us should marry the princess....but most especially the Crown Prince must be matched to a foreign princess, tis the only way your Majesties line shall be taken seriously on the continent...

[Gandalfus]

He nodded.
Very well. The wedding arrangements shall be made next year. All those who wish to marry my daughter should inquire privately.

[Barbarian Nobility]

A wise choice your Majesty...however I must press the point of your son marrying a princess from the continent. I am informed the Duc de Gascony has a daughter of marriable age, and he is bereft of a male progeny of his own. Such a match could see the Crown inherit the lands of Aquitaine, and the Gascons have been greatly oppressed by the French in the past...

[Gandalfus]

he nodded, thinking.
Perhaps that could grant England lands of its own in france, as our former king and duke of Normandy abdicated.