Gathering of Bishops and Clergy

[Lord Damien]

Following the news of the Kings dissapprence and likely death Archbishop Marcelo Ferrington has gathered all the bishops and Clergy into a meeting hall where they are to discuss the future of england and who should be the next King. He also invited various nobles and knights to come and discuss with him about who should be the next king of England granted the king had no heir to the throne. He stood up and raised his hand up in the air for silence before speaking.

" Brothers I have asked you to gather because England now is without a King or heir that could take over the throne. I am suggesting that until a King could be found that england will be ruled by the chruch and thus under the guidence of me. For too long the Kings of england have slacked in their rule. and It is about time that a King like myself steer this Kingdom towards the path of glory and pious that is required of the Lord. It is not a easy thing to do and I wish to debate this with you all. But when is the last time a King was good to the chruch and to the people. When was the last time the people of England had a ruler that went to chruch daily and prayed to god. It has been a long time and I wish to changed that. So before I ask for a vote.. Does anyone have anything they want to bring up " He asked in a calm voice. He was risking a lot but with the important lords out fo England it was only right that he try to take power now and get the backing of the Pope. England needed a religous leader and he was the man for the job. So he wondered as he looked around.. Who would ask the first question.

( Feel free to play a Clergy member if you wish or a minor lord )

[Ace_General]

A lord Calais stands and says

What you speak may be construed as treason. There is no proof that the king is dead. And even if he was, the crown should pass to the next surviving blood realatives of the king, perhaps the de Clares or another of the de Normandy line.

And your words ring hollow about the Norman kings of England being slack and weak. If anything, they were overzealous, for example, look at how King William crossed the Channel and conquered the Saxons, then the harrowing of the North when our kingdom was threatened by internal division. Then how William Rufus repulsed the Scots.

Now, I respect the holy church as well as anyone, but I do not think it is right for men of the cloth to run the affairs of state of a Kingdom and take up arms. And my grandfather swore fealty to the de Normandies and my father did and so did I. They have proved us able and energetic, if somewhat ruthless leaders, but they are not preaching sermons but leading men and defending and forging kingdoms.

With all do respect archbishop, it is your place to look out for our souls, while it is for me like me and the de Normandies to take up the path of the sword. Remember the words of christ, Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's
OOC: I feel a civil war brewing

[Lord Damien]

Archbishop Marcelo Ferrington looks at the young Lord anger building up. But then he calmed himself.. If anything would stand in his way he will just excommucate the oppostion and with that they would not be able to do anything to stop him and the people would hate them. But he kept that to himself.

" The tower Crier has reported it and I am to believe that in this case the town crier is not lying about it. For 2 years now the King was out of sight with the people even his own lords. It is reaosnble to think that he died for Gods honor. Which reminds me why did you not joint he crusade like your other Chirstian brothers. Do you not fight for god in the crusades that would free more land from the hertcis ?. Never mind Like I said until we find a King I think it would be best for the Chruch to take control of england and then when we have a new king then the chruch will hand the power back to the new King. As for these familes.. If that was the case.. Why did the King not named them Heirs to the throne or anything for that matter. can you explain that to me ? " He said in a calm voice as he waited for the young lord to respond.

( I can feel that too although do we even have enough players to have a real good civil war ? )

[Gandalfus]

A clergyman stood

"Your eminence... We should ordain a new king. The Lords of Eu are a close kin group, as are the lords De Vassy. The de Clare's are a bastard line... Maybe we should choose someone outside the house of Normandy? Leicester for example, or another powerful lord."

[Ace_General]

Archbishop Marcelo Ferrington looks at the young Lord anger building up. But then he calmed himself.. If anything would stand in his way he will just excommucate the oppostion and with that they would not be able to do anything to stop him and the people would hate them. But he kept that to himself.

" The tower Crier has reported it and I am to believe that in this case the town crier is not lying about it. For 2 years now the King was out of sight with the people even his own lords. It is reaosnble to think that he died for Gods honor. Which reminds me why did you not joint he crusade like your other Chirstian brothers. Do you not fight for god in the crusades that would free more land from the hertcis ?. Never mind Like I said until we find a King I think it would be best for the Chruch to take control of england and then when we have a new king then the chruch will hand the power back to the new King. As for these familes.. If that was the case.. Why did the King not named them Heirs to the throne or anything for that matter. can you explain that to me ? " He said in a calm voice as he waited for the young lord to respond.

( I can feel that too although do we even have enough players to have a real good civil war ? )

The young lord returns, undaunted by the Archbishop

I was 17 when the crusade left and someone had to look after the fief. But instead of launching a ad hominum attack, let us stay on the topic at hand my good churchmen.

But as I said before, the men of the church have no experience running the affairs of state, not to mention it goes against the tradition of this realm, or that of any in Europe What has been tradition is to have the Assembly of nobles and the highest ranking lords of the land run the realm jointly until a suitable heir is found.

And I suggest that the first act of this Regency council is to send word to the Crusading army to see if, in fact, the king has really died, or if there are any blood relatives alive in the army.

Perhaps to ask of your character, Archbishop, what experience do you have outside of the cloth. Have you ever ran a feif, conducted diplomacy, lead men into combat. And aside from your stirling moral character, why should we follow you. And given that you will combine the powers of both church and crown, why should we trust that you will protect our rights and not use your church powers to become a tyrant. Is that not how the Saracens work with their Sultans and the hertic Muhammad?

[Lord Damien]

Archbishop Marcelo Ferrington was getting annoyed with the young lord. He was tempted to excommunicated him because of his words but he held his tongue.. The man could be used as a example as to why he should be King until a King could be found.

" So you are saying that the Pope is a Tyrant because he rules all Christians as a leader of both a state and of the faith. You should hold your tongue young man because that will get you into trouble. I will rule england just like the pope rules his state. I will Rule england fairly and just and I will not become a Tyrant like you think I will become. This is the very reason why the chruch should take over England until a Suitable respectable King is found. I know it will not be easy because becoming a King is never is. But until that man has gather support and the people respect him and to prevent the Kingdom from going into civil war that is the reason why I am asking for the people to support me so that we could find a King that will lead this kingdom to greatness. "

He turned and looked at the other bishops and clergy members " That young lord has proven to me why a man of the cloth should become the next King. None of the current Lords of this land except a Handful have respect and pity required of the Kingship. This very Lord is also the reason why I feel I should become King. Because I have the pity and the skills necessary to become a good king until a new King could be found. I will not become a tyrant like he says I will because that goes against the church. Let us vote noble bishops and clergy.. Let us vote to see how many of you support my cause. It will not be easy but for the better of the Kingdom. So vote with your hearts and do not listen to this foolish Lord that dares speak to me in his tone of voice " He turned his icy glare to the young lord.

" I hereby Excommunicate you from the Church. You will no longer be able to accept the Sacrament or anything for that matter. I best leave young lord because nobody likes a Excommunicated person. as for the other matter as I have said.. None of the lords of the realm have enough pity to become a good king Nor so none of those familes I feel can be king at this moment. But maybe in the near future " He said in a calm voice as he turned towards the bishop and clergy and waited their vote

( Can a mod do a roll to see how many bishops and clergy support the Archbishop please )

[Mors Vigilia]

An old firebrand priest stood to speak.

King Richard was a bastard and should not have received the throne. His particularly difficult bowel movement and ultimate death was a result of God's wrath upon him! We cannot look to continue his line or that of any supposed relatives, however distant, as they too shall incur His wrath. How could they stake a righteous claim when he did not have one himself?

[Gandalfus]

"relatives of his true born father though, surely?"

[Mors Vigilia]

"relatives of his true born father though, surely?"

The Priest scowled at the man.

"Supposed relatives." They were not enough to be considered superior to a half common bastard and so are not enough now.

OOC: Think about it, it's completely unfair for someone to take over such a position purely because they added royal blood to their character bio. I wouldn't be against it if it came about due to actual game play and marriages et cetera but this is just powergaming.

[Ace_General]

The young lord is unmoved by the Archbishop excommunication and says

This is exactly what I am saying, a Tyrant in the making, we are here opennly and freely debating the future to England, and when someone says anythign that goes aganist his own selfish grab at power, he cloaks it in holy piety and excommunicates me.

[Stildawn]

The Bishops of the land all voted, at the end the votes were tallied...

60% supported the Archbishop, 15% indicated they would not get involved, while 25% opposed the plan...

[Gandalfus]

OOC: I am not referring to that. I'm simply Roleplaying how a priest would actually act in this situation.

The bishop shrugs as he casts his vote.

"I suppose anyone with a half decent claim died anyway... William the Bastard's sons all died mysteriously, and there are none left to take the crown"

[Ace_General]

OOC: What about the Secular lords? Or their representatives

[Gandalfus]

OOC: ace, it should be known Calais is not part of England at this time.

[Lord Damien]

Archbishop Marcelo Ferrington nodded his head as the vote was said. HE was pleased that more than half the bishops and clergy supported him. He was not really concerned about those that did not for they will get what was coming to them. He smiled and raised his hand

" Thank you for your honest votes bishops and clergy of the land. Those that have supported me may now leave and spread the word to the masses as for the lords. I will speak to them and gather their support also. But Remember I am doing this for the betterment of the Kingdom. Once a King is found I will be glad to hand over power to the man as that is not my intent. I am doing this so that england does not go into civil war because of a lack of a pious king. " He said in a calm voice as he turned his attention to the young lord.

" You were excommunicated because of your words and I will not have this debate with you. You know what you did wrong and you will just have to accept the punishment. or maybe you should seek Repentance for your sin. But whatever you do get out of my sight. " He said in a calm voice as he looked at everyone else remaining and then then asked a question.

" Does anyone wish to bring up something else with me before we move on to the next part of this gathering. Do any of the Lords wish to say anything or bring up anything before I ask you for your votes on this matter ? " He asked in a calm voice as he waited.

[Lord William]

Bishop Henry Burke arrived late to the meeting after recovering from a most violent stomach virius , he bows before the archbishop and takes his seat amongst the other clergymen

[Ace_General]

The young noblemen stares daggers at the archbishop and says to him

Since my soul is already supposedly dead, I shall dedicate my body to your downfall. And my cousin shall hear of this. Good day

The man gets up and leaves

[Lord Damien]

Archbishop Marcelo Ferrington sighs as he watches the young lord leave.

" That is why I feel that I should be king until one could be found that has pity and respect for men of the cloth. Right their he had threaten war agaist the church because I excommucated him for his words. that is the very reason I am doing this because of Lords like him who have no idea how to run a Kingdom. But now this brings me to another matter all together. Which of you Lords support me and will bring with you your levy to help me defend agaist the young lord and his cousin. I want you to vote now so that I know who are my supports and who will be willing to allow me to command their troops so that I can defend myself agaist the young lords threat which he had issued Agaist me because I did what was right " He said in a soft voice as he waited for the vote among the Lords to see who supported him and how many troops he would get from them.

(( Can I have a roll to see how many Lords Voted in favor of the Archbishop and how many allowed him to use their troops please )

[Stildawn]

The minor lords forever protective of their historic rights all voted against the Archbishop and left the meeting... Though these minor lords couldn't muster great armies many prepared what they could for the chance of war...

[Lord William]

Henry a respected bishop of the church gathering his strength stood up and spoke his mind
Your Grace though thou intentions are noble, doth thou not think that the strain of governing both the church and the crown be too heavy a burdenfor one man. May i suggest that one our Bishops take the charge of regent until finds its true King.