Military Council of 1205

[Hengest]

Constable Athelstan of the City Guard of Constantinople and general of the men-under-arms to the Latin Emperor proposes the following organisation and structure of the Imperial military. All commanders and military men are invited to attend to in the grounds of the Church of the Holy Apostles, now being the Constable's Headquarters, which lies halfway along the Mese Óros main street between the Forum of Theodosius and the Gate of Adrianople.

Novam urbem Constantinopolim edictis atque imperio militari Latinorum

Due to the pressing need for a secure, peaceful and stable city ad hoc patrols and garrisons have been formed under martial law, this has solved the immediate issues but is not a lasting solution. Furthermore, the large numbers of militaries arriving in the city daily far outnumber conventional and feudal troops under the auspices of the Haute Coure. In addition to this a growing number of lords and commanders are eager to claim their titles and lands given in due service of the Empire, or to fight against the foes of our growing nation. All in all, the myriad of relationships between the various nationalities and factions as well as the numerous logistical issues of commanding enough troops for the united aims of both vassal lords and the Empire, these edicts are recommended to be enacted by the Emperor forthwith.

I hereby make distinction between Imperial troops (under command of the Empire) and Feudal or Retinue troops (under command of a lord).

I propose two Grande Ordenances. Firstly the ordenance entitled Maréchaux will act as an Imperial Guard within the city, they will be led by feudal lords acting as Marshals. These men as the closest companions to the Emperor are to be given special dispensation to maintain brigades within the city walls.

The Maréchaux are to be recognised as independent commanders who will act in council as military advisors to the throne. Only a Maréchal may keep his own brigade inside the city but each brigade shall be limited in number of troops to less than 1500 men. However, by command of the Emperor any Maréchal may be granted temporary overall command of the combined brigades, such a field army will be referred to as a host. A host would act mainly as the spearhead to any offensive launched from the city, for the repelling of invaders or to reclaim Greek lands for the Latin Empire in the service of a feudal vassal.

The second Ordenance will be the Connétablie which is under my direct jurisdiction in lieu of the Emperor, providing police security and the general defence of the realm. I am tasked with identifying potential threats and to take precautionary measures by garrison or offensive. Régiments will be formed for the city itself and then each Frontier to meet specific opponents and challenges. The Régiments will have a similar function to Maréchaux brigades but without any limitations in size and will be under direct Imperial control being for the use as standing forces.

Command of a host made up of Imperial Régiments may be leased to a temporary commander acting as a Maréchal under Heriot Law, this is a feudal loan payable to the Emperor on completion of a mission: such as defence or capture of a city etc.

As commander of the army I will be responsible for funding and fielding Régiments. In order to meet the demands of supply I intend to use the western city clearances between the Theodosian and Constantine Walls to support the burgeoning Imperial army, with the Lycus valley providing pastures for horses and the more southerly approaches along the walls as barracks for the assembly of Régimentsor hosts prior to deployment on campaign. This Campus Martius will be where any troops feudal or imperial are to be trained, these include Hastilude, Quintains and Archery Butts.

Lastly, it shall be enforced by Martial Law that any lord who is not empowered as a Maréchal may not marshall any force larger than two hundred and fifty men within the walls. These single retinue bodyguard units may be granted special powers unique to their country however and may take any and all means to defend the properties and estates of their masters.

There are five garrison towns that exist to the west of the Walls which should be in each case devoted to a partition of a specific nation these are Selymbria, Rhegion, Hebdomon, Bizye and Arcadiopolis. Each town will therefore be designated Frankish, Italian, German, Fleming and Iberian. They may be used for the assembly and garrison of retinue armies and the billeting of mercenary companies. This will enable us to regulate and process the massive amounts of Crusader populations joining us from all over Christendom without presenting a threat to internal security.

Subjects that still require my attention are the plans for Galata and the Navy.

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Grand Master of the Didymians appears with a small retinue of Order knights, all with black robes over their mail.

[Hengest]

Athelstan, at the head of his 331 bowmen guards saluted the priest. Some of the more respectful veterans genuflected. Athelstan said nothing, only nodded solemnly, this man was in a short time both the greatest commander and lord in the new Empire. He was powerful and quite possibly extremely dangerous, especially with a crozier in his hands.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Thomas dismounts and attempts to conceal the mace he carries at his side. He acknowledges the men before him Probably poor peasants, by the looks of them, and their equipment and makes the sign of the cross, blessing them. He was still a priest, after all. He asked to nobody in particular, since none had come forward "Where are we to meet?"

[Lucius Malfoy]

The sounds of marching feet could be heard coming around the corner. Heralds blew horns to announce the arrival of the Emperor's entourage to the Military Council. Escorting the Emperor were members of those soldiers whom he had commanded into battle. Frankish knights bearing spear and shield. Soldiers carrying the royal standards of the House de Lusignan and the Latin Empire's royal colors; gold and red. The procession halted in unison before the meeting area. Bohemond de Lusignan then dismounted from his horse. As the commander-in-chief of the Latin Empire, it was his duty to attend this meeting. It was his military after all that was undergoing reformation...and it was the military that would serve his successors once Bohemond left this world.

[Hengest]

The sounds of marching feet could be heard coming around the corner. Heralds blew horns to announce the arrival of the Emperor's entourage to the Military Council. Escorting the Emperor were members of those soldiers whom he had commanded into battle. Frankish knights bearing spear and shield. Soldiers carrying the royal standards of the House de Lusignan and the Latin Empire's royal colors; gold and red. The procession halted in unison before the meeting area. Bohemond de Lusignan then dismounted from his horse. As the commander-in-chief of the Latin Empire, it was his duty to attend this meeting. It was his military after all that was undergoing reformation...and it was the military that would serve his successors once Bohemond left this world.

Having shown the grandmaster into the pews of the former bishop's Curia, the constable was met with the sights and sounds of the Emperor's parade. His eyes were wide, the English bowmen all bent the knee. Athelstan approached his lord with a calm smile and an open hand. "Please enter, I have high hopes that this conclave will serve you well this day."

[Hengest]

Athelstan, slightly embarrassed by his lack of noble attire replied "There is ample room inside the Church of the Holy Apostles." And it was no mean house, gold leaf-lined and painted walls. It was then he noticed the priest's formidable mace, that he rather naively tried to hide. The thing was like a fasces, heavier than any weapon he'd seen this side of the Alps. Why would he try to hide it? He pondered whilst he welcomed the Grandmaster "Congratulations on the founding of a new order militant, quite an achievement both personally and for the church. Please follow me..." The , Agioi Apostoloi was the second largest church in Constantinople and stood in state like a fortress with thick buttress walls, three stories high and vast domed roof and unreachable vault murialed with the lives of the saints. On the ground level were countless majestic tombs of generals and emperors of bygone years.

[Lucius Malfoy]

I only hope so as well, Athelstan.

Bohemond then headed into the Curia with the Constable. He entered the Church and noticed Thomas Malet. He approached the Grandmaster of the Didymian Order.

Ah! Thomas Malet. How is your new home for your Order? I hope it is suitable.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Athelstan, slightly embarrassed by his lack of noble attire replied "There is ample room inside the Church of the Holy Apostles." And it was no mean house, gold leaf-lined and painted walls. It was then he noticed the priest's formidable mace, that he rather naively tried to hide. The thing was like a fasces, heavier than any weapon he'd seen this side of the Alps. Why would he try to hide it? He pondered whilst he welcomed the Grandmaster "Congratulations on the founding of a new order militant, quite an achievement both personally and for the church. Please follow me..." The , Agioi Apostoloi was the second largest church in Constantinople and stood in state like a fortress with thick buttress walls, three stories high and vast domed roof and unreachable vault murialed with the lives of the saints. On the ground level were countless majestic tombs of generals and emperors of bygone years.

Thomas smiled amicably "Very kind of you."

I only hope so as well, Athelstan.

Bohemond then headed into the Curia with the Constable. He entered the Church and noticed Thomas Malet. He approached the Grandmaster of the Didymian Order.

Ah! Thomas Malet. How is your new home for your Order? I hope it is suitable.

Thomas bowed slightly "Your majesty." He stood back up to his full, considerable height. "We have received a recent boost in activity and membership. I am sure the wing of the faith militant will serve the church and the empire honorably."

[Lucius Malfoy]

Thomas bowed slightly "Your majesty." He stood back up to his full, considerable height. "We have received a recent boost in activity and membership. I am sure the wing of the faith militant will serve the church and the empire honorably."

Bohemond smiles lightly before making his tone more serious.

Take my advice, Thomas. Godfrey is a good, smart and loyal man; I granted him his barony for helping him. But watch out...he can be reckless. When the Greeks launched a counter attack upon our forces at Lycus, he had a little over half of the eight hundred that he had brought to join the assault. However...something drove Godfrey to disobey his orders in defending the wall and break discipline. Out of that large number within his ranks, only forty-seven of his men remained; Godfrey was wounded and captured by the Greeks, but left behind when their attack failed. Ensure the Order teaches him good discipline.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Thomas nodded solemly "Perhaps it is better now that a host of angels protects him and the Holy Spirit guides him, if his soul is worthy. Soon all shall be laid bare before the eyes of the Judge."

[Jokern]

Men marching these days seemed to be a normal occurrence, and shortly after Emperor Bohemund arrived at the council, a smaller group could be seen arriving at the church. All dressed in yellow coats over chainmail, their shields displayed the three roses of Arvid Eriksson's house. The baron himself walked at the front of the group. He was interested to hear about the Englishman's plans about military structure, a favored subject of discussion of his.

[Zeus Almighty]

Ricco Di Monte arrived without ceremony with only a handful of guards. He knew that the Lords that would be present already formed their opinion about him, why parade around like he is magnanimous when in reality most Lords thought all Venetians were already pompous. So he arrived to the counsel giving all present a humble bow and took a knee for his Emperor.

[Zectorman]

Alexandros came into the meeting, a jaded looks on his face, knowing that any sort of military action to take back his own land would be a long time from now. But that did not mean he could not use his strategic advice to speed things along, who knows what could happen. He bowed deeply to the emperor and then took his seat.

[Dirty Chai]

OOC: The campaign left before this began
No one in the campaign should be here

[╬Ritterbruder╬]

OOC: so this isn't the planning for 1205?

[Dirty Chai]

OOC: Look, it starts in 1205.
The Campaign left in late 1204, and will likely be gone the entirety of 1205, at the least.

[Pontifex Maximus]

lol I'm confused. Someone condense the last few posts into a little information pellet

[Hengest]

Ooc: this doesn't have to be tied to the troops on the march, I can easily change the date to 1204 and retcon before they left.

IC: once all the dignitaries were present and assembled in the ornate pews of the old bishop's Curia, Athelstan took the bishop's throne and addressed the men before him. "I'm glad to see that so many have come, it's important that we all share our thoughts and concerns for the future of a united and securely run military. My concerns are twofold: firstly the efficiency of having the expense of troops if they are not deployed. Secondly the innate danger of having troops- mainly crusaders after all, sat around in wait for combat. Basically if men are not sent to the frontiers they are in a position to overthrow the present order."